Des Moines, September 23, 2015— On Wednesday, October 14, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Newton, Iowa. The proceeding will take place in the Newton High School Auditorium, 800 East 4th Street South. The oral arguments are open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.
The court will hear attorneys argue in one case:
Hutchison, et al. v Warren County Board of Supervisors, et al.:
Former employees of Warren County contend the Warren County Board of Supervisors violated Iowa's "open meetings law," Iowa Code chapter 21, when individual supervisors met separately with the county administrator, serving as a go-between, to deliberate a proposed restructuring of the county workforce. The district court determined there was no open meetings violation because there was no gathering of a majority of supervisors. A question before the supreme court is whether "walking quorums" or "serial communications" constitute a "gathering" within the definition of "meeting" in Iowa's open meetings law.
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_Newton/index.asp
A public reception with the supreme court justices will follow the oral arguments in the Newton High School commons.
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 Officer, (515)725-8058 or [email protected].
Iowa Supreme Court
1111 East Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-3952