CHICAGO - Oct. 6, 2014. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today issued the following statement supporting the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to reject appeals from five states - Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin - seeking to stop same sex marriages.

"Today's U.S. Supreme Court decision furthers marriage equality in at least 30 states, sending the message that this nation may soon truly be a nation of equality for all.

"I am proud that Illinois joined the marriage equality movement early, and I was honored to take part in the signing of Illinois' law to recognize same sex marriages. And since that law was signed, I have had the pleasure of celebrating by officiating over gay marriages.

"The majority of Americans believe that love is love, and I look forward to marriage equality being enacted in all 50 of our United States."

Iowa Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments in Storm Lake

Des Moines, September 26, 2014– On Wednesday, October 15, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Storm Lake, Iowa. The proceeding will take place in Anderson Auditorium in the Harold Walter Siebens Forum on the Buena Vista University campus, 610 West Fourth Street. The session is open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.

The court will hear attorneys argue in two cases:

State of Iowa v. Donald Joseph King

Donald Joseph King appeals from his conviction for possession of a controlled substance, third offense, as a habitual offender. He argues the district court erred in denying his motions to suppress his parole officer's finding of marijuana after searching his home. King argues the search was a violation of his constitutional right to privacy.

City of Sioux City v. Michael Jon Jacobsma

Michael Jon Jacobsma argues that the Sioux City automatic traffic enforcement ordinance allowing video and photo cameras to enforce speed limits violated his constitutional rights as an unlawful use of the municipality's police powers. He argues the ordinance violates his guaranteed due process rights under the Iowa and United States Constitutions because the ordinance does not require a finding that defendant was the operator of the vehicle at the time of the infraction.

Note to News Media

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 at http://www.iowacourts.gov/For_the_Media/Expanded_News_Media_Coverage/ .

The Iowa Court Rules regarding cameras and other electronic devices in courtrooms are on the Iowa Legislature website at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/06-30-2014.25.pdf . Internet Explorer 9 or higher is required to view this page of the Iowa Legislature website. Mozilla, Firefox, or Google Chrome will also work.

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DAVENPORT, IA - On September 11, 2014, Leann Sue Perez, age 39, of Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Judge John A. Jarvey for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Perez was sentenced to 40 months in prison, and was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following the imprisonment, and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.

On June 17, 2013, law enforcement executed a search warrant for a Davenport, Iowa, residence associated with Perez and her co-defendant, Jose Antonio Garcia. At that residence agents located, among other things, over one-half kilogram cocaine, digital scales, and packaging material. Perez possessed this cocaine and intended to distribute some or all of it to other persons. Prior to the June 17 search, Perez and Garcia obtained additional quantities of cocaine from a source of supply and distributed that cocaine to customers in the Davenport, Iowa, area.

On August 15, 2014, Judge Jarvey sentenced co-defendant Jose Antonio Garcia, age 44, of Davenport, Iowa, to 108 months in prison, and also ordered Garcia to serve three years of supervised release following the imprisonment and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.

This case was investigated by the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

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Des Moines, September 16, 2014? The Iowa Judicial Branch is joining the Iowa Department of Education and The Iowa State Bar Association to present a Constitution Day program for Iowa high school students on Wednesday, September 17. The program includes an online orientation video that social studies students in classrooms across the state will be encouraged to watch before live streaming the Iowa Supreme Court oral arguments that begin at 9 a.m. September 17.

"The Iowa Supreme Court is excited to work with the Department of Education and the bar association to bring the Constitution to life for Iowa students," Chief Justice Cady said. "Civics education is a critical component for preserving our constitutional democracy for future generations. We hope this program will build upon what the students have learned in school and lead to a common understanding of the role of the court system."

The nine-minute orientation video, entitled "We the People: The Iowa Constitution and Our Courts," begins with Chief Justice Mark Cady addressing the importance of the Iowa Constitution and how the courts use the document to resolve disputes between Iowans. Then, Justice Daryl Hecht explains how a person can appeal a case to the supreme court and what happens during oral arguments. The video is available on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at www.iowacourts.gov/About_the_Courts/Supreme_Court/Constitution_Day

"It is so important for our young people to recognize the significance of the Constitution in our nation's history," Iowa Department of Education Director Dr. Brad Buck said. "Constitution Day activities, including our student-centered partnership with the Iowa Supreme Court, keep a positive focus on that monumental time and remind us all of how we learn valuable lessons from history."

The first two arguments scheduled for September 17 involve cases of constitutional issues for the court to decide. Chief Justice Mark Cady will open the oral arguments with a welcome to the students, and a few words about Constitution Day. Students from Des Moines Hoover High School and Des Moines Central Academy will be in the supreme court courtroom to watch the arguments in person.

The court will hear two cases Wednesday morning, September 17 beginning at 9:00 a.m.

State of Iowa vs. Carrie McIver

On appeal from her conviction for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), first offense, Carrie McIver contends the district court erred in denying her motion to suppress because: 1) there was not probable cause or reasonable suspicion to support the stop of her vehicle; and 2) the deputy possessed reasonable grounds to believe the Carrie McIver may have been impaired by a combination of alcohol and prescription drugs and he violated the implied consent statute by failing to request a blood or urine test.

State of Iowa vs. David Hellstern

David Hellstern appeals from his conviction of operating while intoxicated (first offense). He contends the court should have granted his motion to suppress evidence from the chemical breath test on two grounds: (1) the arresting officer was required, and failed, to advise him of his right to a confidential consultation with counsel under Iowa Code section 804.20 after the officer denied his request for privacy during his phone call with counsel; and (2) the officer denied his right to a private and privileged consultation with counsel under article 1 section 10 of the Iowa Constitution.

Constitution Day recognizes the ratification of the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787. In 1911, the State of Iowa was the first state to celebrate Constitution Day. In 2004, legislation established the Federal observance of Constitution Day.

This year also, marks the 175th anniversary of the Iowa Supreme Court's first decision, a ruling that no person in the Iowa Territory could be reduced to slavery. The court issued In the Matter of Ralph before Abraham Lincoln was elected President, before the Civil War began, and more than 25 years before the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which made slavery illegal in the United States.

decision. Also in the special section of the website are two law review articles by Chief Justice Mark Cady in which he discusses the "pioneering tradition" of Iowa's constitutional recognition of civil rights and civil liberties and the Iowa Supreme Court's leading position on the historical "arc of justice." The information is on the Judicial Branch website at http://www.iowacourts.gov/For_the_Public/Court_Structure/Iowa_Courts_History/In_the_Matter_of_Ralph/

There is also a new display on the first floor of the Iowa Judicial Branch Building recognizing In the Matter of Ralph and three other early, groundbreaking Iowa Supreme Court civil rights cases involving important constitutional issues.