T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY — District judge John Haney of Marshalltown is shown making introductory remarks to the audience at Tuesday's special session of the Iowa Supreme Court at the local Marshalltown Performing Arts Center.

The stage at the Marshalltown Performing Arts Center — formerly the Marshalltown High School/Community Auditorium – has served as the setting for hundreds of high school award ceremonies, community concerts, plays and presentations through the decades.

On Tuesday evening, the stage had the unique role of being host to seven Iowa Supreme Court justices, a court bailiff, two court reporters and two attorneys.

The justices were hearing oral arguments in the case of State of Iowa v. Artell Young from Polk County District Court. Representing appellant Young was attorney Melinda Nye, assistant state appellate defender of Ankeny. Representing the state was assistant attorney general Louis Sloven of Des Moines.

Typically, such cases are heard at the state’s Iowa Judicial Branch Building in Des Moines.

And oral hearings, regardless of location, are open to the public.

Background

According to court documents, the question before the judges was: “If federal probation officers conduct a warrantless search of a defendant’s (Young) home that is permissible under federal law but that would violate the Iowa Constitution, can the state use evidence found during the federal search to prosecute defendant for Iowa law violations?”

An Iowa district court jury convicted Young, who was on federal probation, for drug possession of crack cocaine, cocaine and marijuana. The court sentenced him to consecutive two-year terms of imprisonment for each conviction for a total of six years.

In court documents, Young contended the judge should have granted his motion to suppress evidence found by the warrantless search by the federal probation officials and that their actions violated the Iowa Constitution, and therefore, his rights as a citizen. Federal authorities declined to prosecute Young, but gave the found evidence to state law enforcement, before criminal charges were filed.

In remarks, Nye reinforced her client’s arguments. She said federal officials had suspicions that Young was violating his federal parole and was in possession of drugs in February 2023. However, 12 federal probation agents waited 10 months to conduct the search. Young was placed in handcuffs during the search at his home.

In his remarks, Sloven worked to convince the judges that federal officials had grounds to conduct the search as part of Young’s probation agreement. Additionally, he said the state had the right to use the evidence found to file state charges. The justices questioned Sloven, requesting him to justify his legal reasoning for upholding the district court’s conviction.

Sloven said a 2017 case Iowa v. Ramirez, and other factors gave the state legal standing to prosecute.

Nye and Sloven were forced to think quickly on their feet to answer and justify their arguments.

An added feature to the hearing was the audience could see the hearing transcript prepared on a screen by court reporter Carla Bass in real time. Joining her was another court reporter Karlye Gillion.

The Iowa Supreme Court is the “court of last resort,” and all other state courts must adhere to their opinions. A decision on State v. Young will be made in the near future, said one of the justices.

Following oral arguments, Chief Justice Susan Larson Christensen opened the floor to questions from the audience.

She said the justices and attorneys could not answer specific questions about the Young case, or other pending cases before the court.

The seven justices took turns answering questions, ranging from the role of a court reporter to how law clerks are selected to court workloads.

Afterward, the judges, bailiff and attorneys were feted in a reception in the facility’s lobby and hosted by the Marshall County Bar Association. There, the public could interact with the justices, attorneys and other court officials.

The justices periodically hold oral hearings such as these “on the road” and Marshalltown and MHS were selected as hosts, according to Steve Davis, communication director for the Iowa Judicial Branch.

“We were pleased with tonight’s turnout, of 120,” Davis said. “The Marshall County Bar Association, performing arts staff and MHS Principal Justin Boliver were great hosts, and we thank them for their cooperation.”

Attorney Pete Grady of Marshalltown, who worked in the Iowa Attorney General’s office before retiring, said he was pleased with attendance and event organization.

“It was good to see Marshalltown residents in attendance,” he said. “I attended not knowing what to expect. It was obvious from the beginning that Marshall County Bar Association, MHS and Judicial Branch officials were organized.”

Grady was also impressed with attorneys Nye and Sloven.

“Both were well prepared,” he said. “This case is not quick and dirty – that is, can be easily resolved. The attorneys offered compelling legal arguments.”

Grady also said featuring a court reporter doing her work was an excellent recruitment tool for youth in the audience.

“The judicial branch needs court reporters and serving as one can be a fulfilling and well-paying career,” Grady said. “Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny offers an excellent program”

Davis said the next “on the road” presentation will be this spring in Lamoni.