Des Moines, August 29, 2017— On Tuesday, September 19, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments at the Des Moines Hoover High School auditorium, 4800 Aurora Avenue. The oral arguments are open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.

The court will hear attorneys argue the case of State of Iowa v. Bion Blake Ingram, from Jasper County.

Case context: Defendant Bion Ingram appeals his conviction for possession of methamphetamine, arguing that law enforcement's warrantless search of a closed container during an inventory of his impounded vehicle violated his right to be protected from unreasonable search and seizure under the Iowa Constitution. In a 1981 case, State v. Roth, the Iowa Supreme Court found no reasonable expectation of privacy in a paper sack under similar vehicle inventory circumstances. The container in this case was a black cloth bag similar to a container for holding sunglasses or other small items.

A public reception with the supreme court justices will follow the oral arguments in the high school cafeteria.

Note to Editors: News media are invited to attend the oral arguments. Court rules apply regarding still camera, video camera, 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.

The Iowa Court Rules regarding cameras and other electronic devices in courtrooms are on the Iowa Legislature website (PDF).