Eugene Sikora
v.
State of Iowa and Dr. Beth Skinner, in her official capacity as Director of the Iowa Department of Corrections
The Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) released Eugene Sikora from custody later than it should have after discovering an error in its earned-time calculations. Mr. Sikora sued IDOC and its director, Dr. Beth Skinner. In his initial and amended petitions, he pled violations of article 1, sections 1, 8, and 9 of the Iowa Constitution; negligence; negligence per se; false imprisonment; declaratory judgment; action on the bond; and trespass on the case. Mr. Sikora argues: (1) the district court improperly dismissed his common law actions, especially for trespass on the case and action on the bond, because they do not “arise out of” false imprisonment under Iowa Code section 669.14(4); and (2) Burnett v. Smith, 990 N.W.2d 289 (Iowa 2023), which overruled Godfrey v. State, 898 N.W.2d 844 (Iowa 2017), and eliminated direct damages actions for constitutional torts, applies only prospectively.
Appellant
Eugene Sikora
Appellee
State of Iowa and Dr. Beth Skinner, in her official capacity as Director of the Iowa Department of Corrections
Attorney for the Appellant
Jack B. Bjornstad
Attorneys for the Appellee
Eric H. Wessan
Patrick C. Valencia
Nicholas Kilburg
Supreme Court
Oral Argument Schedule
15-15-5
Dec 18, 2024 9:00 AM
