Iowa
learn about our work in Iowa
learn about our work in Iowa
All Cases
4 Iowa Cases
Iowa
Feb 2024
State of Iowa v. Lawrence George Canady III
In this case, the Iowa Supreme Court considered when rap lyrics are admissible evidence in criminal trials. The State sought further review of a court of appeals decision which reversed the defendant’s criminal convictions and remanded for a trial based on errors in the admission of evidence. Together with the Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project and the ACLU of Iowa, the State Supreme Court Initiative filed an amicus brief arguing that such evidence should usually be excluded because it is rarely probative and yet creates a high risk of prejudice to the defendant. The Court ultimately reversed the court of appeals conviction, although somewhat attempted to limit the admission of the rap video to the facts of the case.
Status: Ongoing
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Iowa
Criminal Law Reform
Racial Justice
State of Iowa v. Lawrence George Canady III
In this case, the Iowa Supreme Court considered when rap lyrics are admissible evidence in criminal trials. The State sought further review of a court of appeals decision which reversed the defendant’s criminal convictions and remanded for a trial based on errors in the admission of evidence. Together with the Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project and the ACLU of Iowa, the State Supreme Court Initiative filed an amicus brief arguing that such evidence should usually be excluded because it is rarely probative and yet creates a high risk of prejudice to the defendant. The Court ultimately reversed the court of appeals conviction, although somewhat attempted to limit the admission of the rap video to the facts of the case.
Feb 2024
Status: Ongoing
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Iowa
May 2022
Vroegh v. Iowa Department of Corrections
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed a complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission against The Iowa Department of Corrections for denying a nurse at the facility use of the restrooms and locker rooms that align with his gender identity and necessary medical treatment because he is transgender. The complaint was co-filed with the ACLU and cooperating attorney Melissa Hasso with the Sherinian & Hasso Law Firm in West Des Moines.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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Iowa
LGBTQ Rights
Vroegh v. Iowa Department of Corrections
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed a complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission against The Iowa Department of Corrections for denying a nurse at the facility use of the restrooms and locker rooms that align with his gender identity and necessary medical treatment because he is transgender. The complaint was co-filed with the ACLU and cooperating attorney Melissa Hasso with the Sherinian & Hasso Law Firm in West Des Moines.
May 2022
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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Iowa
Mar 2019
Good v. Iowa Dept. of Human Services
EerieAnna Good and Carol Beal are two women whose medical providers determined that surgery was medically necessary to treat their gender dysphoria, but the Iowa Department of Human Services denied them Medicaid coverage for the surgery. In March 2019, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the Department’s ban on coverage violated the Iowa Civil Rights Act and affirmed the district court’s ruling that EerieAnna and Carol are entitled to coverage for the gender affirming surgery they need.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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Iowa
LGBTQ Rights
Good v. Iowa Dept. of Human Services
EerieAnna Good and Carol Beal are two women whose medical providers determined that surgery was medically necessary to treat their gender dysphoria, but the Iowa Department of Human Services denied them Medicaid coverage for the surgery. In March 2019, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the Department’s ban on coverage violated the Iowa Civil Rights Act and affirmed the district court’s ruling that EerieAnna and Carol are entitled to coverage for the gender affirming surgery they need.
Mar 2019
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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Iowa
LGBTQ Rights
Gartner v. Iowa Department of Health
May 2012
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