Clear Lake native who sits on Iowa Court of Appeals talks about special session held at Clear Lake Middle School (AUDIO)

CLEAR LAKE — The Iowa Court of Appeals heard arguments in two cases during a special session held in Clear Lake this morning as part of their effort to better educate the public on how the Iowa judicial system works.

One of the judges on the court, Sam Langholz, is a 1998 graduate of Clear Lake High School . He tells Northiowanow.com News that he was elated at the opportunity to have the court hold session in his hometown.  “I know I wouldn’t be where I am today on the Court of Appeals without the education that I got here in Clear Lake, both in the classroom and many of the other experiences in activities, whether that was the music program or mock trial or Model UN. It really inspired my interest in the law and public service, so it’s great to be back here with the Court of Appeals.”

Langholz says many people don’t get to see how the appeals process works, and they like to do their so-called “Appeals on Wheels” program to help students and the general public better understand the court system and the appeals process.  “It’s really an opportunity for students and other Iowans to have a chance to see how our court works. When people think about the court system most of the time, you think about ‘Law and Order” or the trial process, and people are not always as familiar with the appellate process, especially our court’s appellate process, which ends up being the end of the road for the vast majority of cases.”

The Court of Appeals heard two local cases, one involving a malpractice lawsuit filed in Cerro Gordo County and the other involving a sexual abuse case out of Wright County.

You can watch the video from today’s proceedings, learn more about the cases heard, and hear our full interview with Langholz via the information provided below.

Link to overview of cases heard   

Audio of interview with Sam Langholz