But he said it may have little impact on Godfrey’s case if Branstad can show that he and his staff had legal reasons for demanding Godfrey’s resignation, cutting his pay and criticizing his performance. And we can have a jury that’s going to listen to the facts and decide.”ĭissenting Justice Edward Mansfield said the ruling will have “far-reaching effects,” potentially prompting scores of lawsuits from current and former inmates alleging they were wrongly incarcerated. “This decision says that if the government is acting against somebody, the courts will be there to protect people. “Whatever the impact on my case, this is a decision that is really going to help Iowans who are impacted by improper government actions going forward. Godfrey, now chief judge of the board that decides federal workers’ compensation disputes in Washington, called the ruling a victory for individual rights.
The majority held that damage claims can be brought under the Iowa Constitution if state law doesn’t otherwise provide an adequate remedy for the alleged violation. The case had been closely watched by government agencies at all levels in Iowa that had urged the court not to open the door to such litigation.
The ruling marks the first time the court has allowed citizens to file lawsuits seeking monetary damages against government officials for alleged violations of rights protected under the Iowa Constitution.
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