On Monday, March 9, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the Des Moines Roosevelt High School auditorium, 4419 Center Street. The oral arguments are open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m. A public reception with the supreme court justices will follow the oral arguments in the school media center.
The court will hear attorneys argue the case of State of Iowa v. Charles Edward Ross from Cerro Gordo County.
Case summary: Defendant pleaded guilty to possession of a tool with intent to use it in the unlawful removal of a theft detection device under Iowa Code section 714.7B(3). The statute defines “theft detection device” as “any electronic or other device attached to goods . . . on display or for sale by a merchant.” Defendant used bolt cutters to cut a padlock from a steel cable securing a riding lawnmower on display. On appeal, defendant contends his guilty plea to possessing the tool had no factual basis and should be rejected because the padlock and steel cable do not amount to a “theft detection device” within the meaning of the statute.
More information about the case, including the attorney briefs, is available on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/supreme-court/supreme-court-oral-argument-schedule/case/19-0939 .
During the morning of March 9, justices will meet with Roosevelt students to discuss the Iowa judicial system and the role of courts in Iowa.
Note to members of the media: News media are invited to attend the oral arguments. Court rules requiring advanced approval apply regarding still cameras, video cameras, audio recording devices, and other electronic devices used during the oral arguments. Information on expanded media coverage is available on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at https://www.iowacourts.gov/newsroom/expanded-news-media-coverage.
The Iowa Court Rules regarding cameras and other electronic devices in courtrooms are on the Iowa Legislature website at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/12-26-2017.25.pdf.
For More Information:
Steve Davis
Communications Director
(515) 348-4967
steve.davis@iowacourts.gov