In the Balance

In recognition of Women’s History Month, I went looking for women throughout Iowa’s history to cover for this episode. As it turns out, Iowa is not lacking for strong, influential women who have left their mark on the state’s judicial and legal systems. Last year we covered the life of Arabella Mansfield, the first white woman admitted to the Iowa State Bar in 1869. This year, I want to highlight the first black woman admitted to the Iowa State Bar, and one of the founding members of the National Bar Association: Gertrude E. Rush. 

Host: Marissa Gaal

Music from The Epic 2 by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In recognition of Black History Month this February, I spoke with sculptor James Ellwanger, the artist behind the Shattering Silence sculpture which decorates the Iowa Judicial Branch Building's west lawn. This sculpture is a memorial to Iowa's progressive civil rights history and where it all began, with the case of Ralph Montgomery, a former Missouri slave granted his freedom in Iowa, in 1839. 

Host: Marissa Gaal
Guest: James Ellwanger

Music from The Epic 2  by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This episode we are focusing on the important work of our county courthouses clerks of court. I spoke with Jackie Myers, the clerk of court for Des Moines and Henry Counties, as well as Donna Geery, the District 2 assistant court administrator, to learn more about the day-to-day duties of a county clerk of court, and how they work together in each of their judicial districts.
 
Host: Marissa Gaal
Guests: Jackie Myers and Donna Geery

Music from The Epic 2  by Rafael Krux
 Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-
 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This month we are highlighting an essential role in Iowa’s Judicial system: the court reporter. I spoke with Laura McFall, a court reporter out of District 8 and a past president of the Court Reporter’s Association, and Bob Gast, State Court Administrator, to discuss the duties of a court reporter and the integral role they play in the judicial system.

Host: Marissa Gaal
Guests: Laura McFall, court reporter, and Bob Gast, State Court Administrator

Music from The Epic 2  by Rafael Krux
 Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-
 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This month we are discussing electronic search warrants. In 2017, the Iowa Legislature amended Iowa Code Chapter 808 to allow the transmission for and issuance of search warrants by electronic means. In April 2018, the Iowa State Court Administrator established the Electronic Search Warrants Advisory Committee. Amidst the pandemic in April 2020, the electronic search warrant pilot project began in District 4, expanding to counties in districts 1, 2, and 6, before the pilot went statewide in September 2022.

Host: Marissa Gaal
Guests: Judge James Malloy, District 2, and Deputy Seth McCrea, Boone

Music from The Epic 2  by Rafael Krux
 Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-
 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This month I spoke with District 6 Judge Kevin McKeever about Iowa’s jury service. To learn more about the history of jury service, what the selection process looks like, and the rights upheld by jury service in our country, keep listening. 

Host: Marissa Gaal
Guest: Judge Kevin McKeever, District 6

Music from The Epic 2  by Rafael Krux
 Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-
 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This month, in recognition of the upcoming Constitution Day, celebrated on September 17 every year, I sat down with Justice Dana Oxley to discuss the difference between the Iowa Constitution and Federal Constitution. 

Host: Marissa Gaal
Guest: Iowa Supreme Court Justice Dana Oxley

Music from The Epic 2  by Rafael Krux
 Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-
 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This month I spoke with Juvenile Court Officer Chris Castrey about what a typical day might look life for a JCO in the 7th judicial district. To learn more about what the position of a juvenile court officer entails, keep listening.
 
Host: Marissa Gaal
Guest: Chris Castrey, Juvenile Court Officer

Music from The Epic 2  by Rafael Krux
 Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-
 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This month we are breaking down the Iowa Judicial Branch budget, which was approved earlier this month. I sat down with State Court Administrator Bob Gast to discuss the budget process, from proposal to approval, and how the money will support the judicial branch’s mission to administer justice under law equally to all persons. 

Host: Marissa Gaal
Guest: Bob Gast, State Court Administrator

Music from The Epic 2  by Rafael Krux
 Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-
 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome back to another episode of In the Balance, the Iowa Judicial Branch podcast. Today, we are going to walk through some important information and interesting features available on our website, iowacourts.gov.

Host: Marissa Gaal

Links

Latest News: https://www.iowacourts.gov/newsroom/news-releases/
News Releases: https://www.iowacourts.gov/announcements/
FAQs:https://www.iowacourts.gov/faq/
Interactive Court Forms: https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/representing-yourself/iowa-interactive-court-forms/
Iowa Courts: https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/
Educational Resources: https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/educational-resources-and-services/
Contact Us: https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/contact-us/

Music from The Epic 2  by Rafael Krux
 Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-
 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/