Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — The Iowa Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case asking them to stop the practice of charging court-appointed lawyer fees when charges are dismissed. Alex Kornya is a lawyer working with the Iowa ACLU on the case.
The Iowa Supreme Court heard arguments on a similar case back in 2020, but one justice recused himself from the case, and it ended with a 3-3 decision and no change. Kornya says those who end up being charged the fees can end up being thousands of dollars in debt.
He says Iowa is one of the few states that charges full legal fees instead of a flat rate. Kornya says the debt puts a burden on the people who often end up unable to pay.
The justices raised several questions about procedures and precedents during the arguments. They will make a ruling at a later date.
Photo Caption: Iowa Supreme Court Building, Des Moines – KIWA Staff Photo
