Category Archives: Criminal Justice

One of the primary issues in which Fawkes-Lee and Ryan are involved.

Nailed It

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Marty Ryan

Al Johanson stormed into Leonard Bartson’s law office and shouted, “I need to sue my neighbor!” “Calm down, Al, calm down,” Bartson gently replied with his hands held up. It was a warm spring day in 1885. The doors and … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Justice | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Pigs, Poker, and Prisons

Posted on June 25, 2022 by Marty Ryan

Rev. Carlos Jayne, 1935-2022 RIP As he lived, he died – fighting authority! Legendary NFL Coach Bill Parcells said that “A friend’s someone that knows all about you and likes you anyway.” Carlos and I liked each other, even though … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Justice, General | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Flag Desecration and The Iowa Code

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Marty Ryan

This is my favorite unconstitutional statute in the Iowa Code.  The Iowa Supreme Court has never ruled on Iowa Code Section 718A, but the Federal District Court of the Southern District of Iowa has.  In Phelps v. Powers, 63 F.Supp.3d … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Justice | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Symbolic Law

Posted on July 8, 2020 by Marty Ryan

On Monday, June 29, Governor Kim Reynold (R-Iowa) signed into law Senate File 526, a bill “creating a blue alert program within the department of public safety for the apprehension of a person suspected of killing or seriously injuring a … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Justice | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Minority Impact Statements: History and Continuing Efforts

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Marty Ryan

The Iowa quarter, printed in the latter part of 2004, is based upon a Grant Wood painting depicting a group of students and their teacher planting a tree outside of a county school.  The statement on the coin says, “Foundation … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Justice | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What IS the Age of Maturity?

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Marty Ryan

A recent question in CityView, a Des Moines alternative newspaper, asked readers: “Should the minimum age to purchase tobacco products be raised to 21 in Iowa?”  All sorts of answers ensued.  One reader said tobacco should be outlawed and marijuana … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Justice, Fairness, Issues, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment