The Iowa
Supreme Court is an appellate court. An
appellate court reviews decisions of trial courts in which appeals have been
allowed. An appellate court does not
preside over trials. Appellate court
hearings do not involve
witnesses, juries, new evidence, or court reporters. Instead, an appellate court reviews the
written record of the trial court to determine whether any significant legal
errors occurred. The Rules of Appellate Procedure list the requirements for filing an appeal.
As the constitutional
head of the Iowa Judicial Branch, the seven-member Iowa Supreme Court has many
important responsibilities.
·
The
court is the "court of last resort" or the highest court in the Iowa state court system.
Its opinions are binding on all other Iowa
state courts.
·
The
Iowa Supreme Court has the sole power to admit persons to practice as attorneys
in the courts of Iowa,
to prescribe rules to supervise attorney conduct, and to discipline
attorneys.
·
The
court is responsible for promulgating rules of procedure and practice used
throughout the state courts.
·
The
Iowa Supreme Court has supervisory and administrative control over the judicial
branch and over all judicial officers and court employees.
The
Iowa Supreme Court holds its regular sessions in Des Moines.
Click
here for information about applying for a job as a law clerk.
