Des Moines, October 20, 2015— On Wednesday, November 4, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Harlan, Iowa. The proceeding will take place in the Harlan High School Auditorium, 2102 Durant Street. The oral arguments are open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.
The court will hear attorneys argue in one case:
State of Iowa v. Taquala Monique Howse, case no. 13-1997, from Black Hawk County District Court
The State seeks further review after the Iowa Court of Appeals reversed the conviction of Taquala Howse for carrying a weapon. An issue before the Iowa Supreme Court is whether a stun gun is a dangerous weapon per se under Iowa Code section 702.7, which the Iowa Legislature amended in 2008 to expand the definition of dangerous weapon to include "any portable device or weapon directing an electric current, impulse, wave, or beam that produces a high-voltage pulse designed to immobilize a person."
Attorneys' briefs for the cases and a guide to oral arguments are posted on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at http://www.iowacourts.gov/About_the_Courts/Supreme_Court/Offsite_Oral_Arguments_Harlan/index.asp
A public reception with the supreme court justices will follow the oral arguments in the Harlan 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).
For More Information:
Steve Davis, Court Communications Director (515)725-8058 or [email protected].
Iowa Supreme Court
1111 East Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-3952