For the first time in its history, the Iowa Court of Appeals will hold oral arguments using videoconferencing May 21 and 22 in response to the public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic. The oral arguments will be livestreamed on the Iowa Court of Appeals YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5YFPOlrqxU1hxqUJaZKHWw.
The Iowa Supreme Court today issued a supervisory order expressing gratitude for the Iowa COVID-19 Legal Advice Hotline and strongly encouraging all Iowa lawyers to provide free or low-cost legal information and services either through the Legal Hotline or other options. The order temporarily changes Iowa Court Rules governing providing free and reduced-cost legal services in Iowa.
Iowans now have four ways to pay outstanding court fines and fees while following social distancing and self-isolation restrictions. All fines and fees can be mailed to the appropriate clerk of court office. The Iowa Judicial Branch offers a pay online option. People with multiple fines or fees on multiple cases can pay with a single payment using the shopping cart feature on Iowa Courts Online. And, the newest option, now available, is a single statewide number to pay by phone.
Following Governor Reynolds's State of Public Health Emergency Declaration earlier today, the Iowa Supreme Court issued an order permitting new ways to access courts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Today, the Iowa Supreme Court issued an order postponing all criminal jury trials until April 20 and all civil jury trials until May 4 unless the jury has been sworn in. The postponements are to protect public safety by mitigating the impact of coronavirus/COVID-19. Clerk of court offices throughout the state will remain open.
Fifteen Iowans applied with the State Judicial Nominating Commission to fill the vacancy on the Iowa Supreme Court that will occur upon the retirement of Justice David Wiggins.
The nominating commission met Friday, March 6, 2020 to interview the applicants for the vacancy. Following the interviews, the commission deliberated and selected a slate of three nominees from the group of applicants and delivered the slate to the Governor.
Fifteen Iowans have applied with the State Judicial Nominating Commission to fill the vacancy on the Iowa Supreme Court that will occur when Justice David Wiggins retires on March 13, 2020.
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.
Des Moines, Iowa, February 24, 2020—The Iowa Supreme Court has selected Justice Susan Christensen, Harlan, as its next chief justice. Justice Christensen will succeed Chief Justice Mark Cady who passed away suddenly November 15, 2019. Justice David Wiggins has served as acting chief justice since Chief Justice Cady’s passing. Justice Christensen will be the second woman to serve as chief justice of Iowa’s highest court.
On Friday, February 14, 2020, at 3:00 p.m., Governor Kim Reynolds will administer the oath of office to Iowa Court of Appeals Judge Paul B. Ahlers in a public ceremony in the Iowa Supreme Court Courtroom at the Iowa Judicial Branch Building located at 1111 E. Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319.