State v. Hidlebaugh
Iowa Supreme Court held that a prison sentence resulting in part from a defendant’s failure to satisfy a financial obligation — specifically, failure to contract to buy a home — despite his good faith effort to do so, violated state and federal equal protection and due process
Related Commentary
Fines, Fees, and Bail in State Courts
Recent state supreme court cases, including a major California ruling last week, address the burden of court-imposed financial obligations on criminal defendants.
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in September
Issues on the dockets include charter schools, minimum wage for live-in caregivers, online arbitration agreements, and a controversial handwritten date requirement for mail ballots.