In a step toward ensuring equal protection and integrity of the jury system, the Iowa Supreme Court has announced the formation of the Fairness in Jury Selection Task Force. This initiative follows recent amendments to the Iowa Rules of Criminal Procedure and aims to explore potential reforms to the use of peremptory challenges in jury selection across the state.
The newly formed task force is charged with examining whether the Iowa Court Rules governing peremptory strikes should be revised in order to more effectively uphold the constitutional guarantees of equal protection and the right to a fair trial. The task force’s work will be informed by key legal precedents, including the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986), which prohibits race-based exclusions of jurors.
The task force brings together a wide array of expertise from the judiciary, academia, prosecution, defense, and private practice. The following individuals have been appointed:
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Justice Edward Mansfield (Chair), Iowa Supreme Court
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Justice Brent Appel (Ret.), Professor, Drake University Law School
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Judge John Sandy, Iowa Court of Appeals
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Judge Tamra Roberts, Seventh Judicial District
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Judge Ashley Stewart, District Associate Judge, Fifth Judicial District
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Aaron Hawbaker, Assistant State Public Defender
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Brent Heeren, Tama County Attorney
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Martha Lucey, State Appellate Defender
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Alan Ostergren, Private Practice
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Alfredo Parrish, Private Practice
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Louis Sloven, Assistant Attorney General
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David Walker, Professor Emeritus, Drake University Law School
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Mathew Zinkula, Staff Attorney, Iowa Supreme Court
Each member brings a unique perspective that will contribute to a thorough and balanced review of Iowa’s jury selection procedures.
The Iowa Supreme Court anticipates that the task force will complete its investigation and submit its recommendations by May 2026. As the task force conducts its work, it will consider both legal and empirical perspectives on peremptory challenges and their impact on the fairness and inclusivity of jury trials in Iowa.
Task force members will be eligible for reimbursement of necessary and reasonable travel expenses in accordance with Iowa Court Rules 22.16 through 22.21.
The creation of the Fairness in Jury Selection Task Force reflects the Iowa Supreme Court’s ongoing commitment to promoting fairness and impartiality in the judicial process. Attorneys, judges, and court personnel across the state are encouraged to follow the task force’s progress closely, as its findings could lead to meaningful reforms in how juries are selected in both criminal and civil cases.
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