Iowa Supreme Court
The Iowa Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Iowa. As constitutional head of the Iowa Judicial Branch, the Court is composed of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices.
The Court holds its regular sessions in Des Moines in the Iowa Judicial Branch Building located at 1111 East Court Avenue on the state Capitol grounds just south of the Iowa State Capitol.
History
In 1846, Iowa became the 29th state to join the United States. Following the constitution of the Federal government, the powers of the government in Iowa were divided into the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. In the judicial branch, the Iowa General Assembly divided the state into four judicial districts, and Supreme Court justices were to serve six year terms, while district judges were elected for five year terms. The Constitution of Iowa of 1857 increased the judicial districts from four to 11, and allowed the General Assembly to reorganize districts after 1860 and every four years thereafter.Functions
The Supreme Court of Iowa is an appellate court. An appellate court reviews decisions of trial courts in which appeals have been allowed. An appellate court does not preside over trials. Appellate court hearings do not involve witnesses, juries, new evidence, or court reporters. Instead, an appellate court reviews the written record of the trial court to determine whether any significant legal errors occurred. The Rules of Appellate Procedure list the requirements for filing an appeal.The seven-member Supreme Court of Iowa has many important responsibilities.
- The Court is the "court of last resort" or the highest court in the Iowa state court system. Its opinions are binding on all other Iowa state courts.
- The Iowa Supreme Court has the sole power to admit persons to practice as attorneys in the courts of Iowa, to prescribe rules to supervise attorney conduct, and to discipline attorneys.
- The Court is responsible for promulgating rules of procedure and practice used throughout the state courts.
- The Supreme Court has supervisory and administrative control over the judicial branch and over all judicial officers and court employees.
Justices
Name | Appointed/Elected | Term expires | Appointing Governor | Governor's Party Affiliation |
Chief Justice Susan Christensen | September 4, 2018 | December 31, 2020 | Kim Reynolds | Republican |
Christopher McDonald | February 20, 2019 | December 31, 2020 | Kim Reynolds | Republican |
Brent R. Appel | 2006 | December 31, 2024 | Tom Vilsack | Democratic |
February 2011 | December 31, 2020 | Terry Branstad | Republican | |
Thomas D. Waterman | February 2011 | December 31, 2020 | Terry Branstad | Republican |
Dana Oxley | January 29, 2020 | December 31, 2022 | Kim Reynolds | Republican |
Matthew McDermott | April 3, 2020 | December 31, 2022 | Kim Reynolds | Republican |
The Court had three vacancies following the defeat of three justices in the November 2, 2010, retention election. Those vacancies were filled in February 2011 by the appointments of Edward Mansfield, Thomas D. Waterman, and Bruce Zager. In March 2011, the Court voted for Justice Cady to continue as Chief Justice and he served until his death in November 2019.