Students and teachers can now access a comprehensive resource for understanding the United States and Iowa Constitutions. The Constitution Day 2024 page on the Iowa Judicial Branch website features a constitutional case argued before the Iowa Supreme Court, along with videos and podcasts. This initiative is a collaboration between the judicial branch and The Iowa State Bar Association and is available at https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/supreme-court/constitution-day-2024.
The resource page provides materials for students to study a real Iowa court case, In re N.S., which involves a constitutional issue regarding the restoration of firearm rights. The case was tried and subsequently appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court last year. To aid student learning, the page offers a downloadable case summary that examines legal issues, appellate briefs from attorneys, and a video of oral arguments where justices posed questions to the attorneys. This video will be posted after the September 12, 2024 oral arguments. The final opinion of the supreme court detailing its ruling will be added once issued.
The page also includes a “Welcome” video from Chief Justice Susan Christensen and links to podcasts featuring interviews with supreme court justices and others discussing both constitutions. Podcast topics include interviews with State Historical Museum of Iowa Curator Leo Landis about Iowa’s Constitutional Conventions, Justice Dana Oxley on similarities and differences between the U.S. and Iowa Constitutions, retired Justice Brent Appel on the Iowa Constitution, Justice Edward Mansfield on how cases are selected by the Iowa Supreme Court, and Chief Justice Christensen commemorating this year’s 60th anniversary of Gideon v Wainwright.
Additionally, links to both constitutions are provided on the resource page. It will remain active until September 2025 when new case materials will be introduced for next year's Constitution Day.