Search

Iowa Supreme Court Opinion on Fictive Kin Placement

The Iowa Supreme Court vacated a lower court decision regarding the placement of a minor child with fictive kin. The court ruled that the fictive-kin relationship must predate the child's removal from parental custody, reversing a prior judgment that allowed placement with respite caregivers who did not meet this criterion.

State of Iowa v. Christopher Joseph Hidlebaugh - Sentence Vacated

The Iowa Supreme Court vacated the sentence of Christopher Joseph Hidlebaugh, remanding the case for resentencing. The court found that the defendant's imprisonment, resulting from his inability to meet a financial obligation in a plea agreement despite good faith efforts, rendered his sentence unconstitutional.

State of Iowa v. John Robert West - Child Sex Abuse Case Opinion

The Iowa Court of Appeals filed an opinion affirming the conviction of John Robert West for seven counts of second-degree sexual abuse and four counts of lascivious acts with a child. The court addressed West's claims regarding insufficient evidence, territorial jurisdiction, and sentencing.

State of Iowa v. Jereme Michael Owens - Stalking Conviction Appeal

The Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed a conviction for stalking in violation of a protective order. The defendant appealed, arguing insufficient evidence, but the court found the evidence supported the conviction for a course of conduct intended to cause fear or intimidation. The appellate court's decision upholds the lower court's ruling and sentence.