Amanda Potterfield
Amanda Potterfield was a judge on the Iowa Court of Appeals. She was appointed to the court by Democratic Governor Chet Culver on July 2, 2008, to succeed Judge David Baker.[1][2] Potterfield retired December 25, 2019.[3]
Education
Potterfield received her undergraduate degree from Hollins College in 1969 and her J.D. from the National Law Center, George Washington University (now George Washington University Law School), in 1974.[1]
Career
Prior to her elevation to the Iowa Court of Appeals, Potterfield served as a judge for the Sixth District Court. Before joining the bench, she worked as an attorney in private practice, served as a public defender for Linn County, Iowa, worked for the Prisoners' Legal Services in New York City, and was a criminal defense attorney in Georgia.[1][2]
Elections
2016
Judge Potterfield filed to stand for retention in 2016.[4]
Election results
November 8 general election
Amanda Potterfield was retained in the Iowa Court of Appeals, Potterfield's seat election with 70.75% of the vote.
| Iowa Court of Appeals, Potterfield's seat, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes votes | |
 Amanda Potterfield | 70.75% | |
| Source: Iowa Secretary of State Official Results | ||
2010
Potterfield was retained by voters to the Iowa Court of Appeals on November 2, 2010, with 62.51 percent of the vote.[5]
- Main article: Iowa judicial elections, 2010
Noteworthy cases
One-punch murder conviction overturned (2015)
- See also: Iowa Court of Appeals (State v. Tyler, No.14-0256)
- See also: Iowa Court of Appeals (State v. Tyler, No.14-0256)
Kent Tyler punched Richard Daughenbaugh just one time after Daughenbaugh grabbed his arm. After that punch, however, the large group of people partying in the parking lot attacked Daughenbaugh, leaving him fatally injured. Tyler was convicted of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. At his sentencing, Tyler told the judge he punched Daughenbaugh in self-defense and should not be held responsible for the actions of those around him. The Iowa Court of Appeals overturned Tyler's conviction, sending the case back to the district court for an acquittal to be entered.
Judge Amanda Potterfield wrote the majority opinion for the split three-judge panel. The opinion stated that one punch was not murder in this case as there was no evidence Tyler meant to incite his friends to attack Daughenbaugh.
| “ | Tyler's single punch is not sufficient to give rise to a reasonable inference that he wished others to subsequently initiate a deadly assault. The state has failed to satisfy its burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Tyler knowingly advised or encouraged anyone to initiate a deadly assault on Daughenbaugh.[6][7] | ” |
Chief Judge David Danilson dissented from the majority, finding Tyler's punch to have been instigation for the attack. He pointed to a witness' testimony that the atmosphere appeared to be rife with tension. Therefore, Tyler could have known that the punch would lead to a more violent attack on Daughenbaugh. Prosecutors will likely seek review by the Iowa Supreme Court.[6]
Contract behind nonpayment for appellate representation (2014)
- See also: Iowa Court of Appeals (Ofenbakh v. State Public Defender, No.13-1327)
- See also: Iowa Court of Appeals (Ofenbakh v. State Public Defender, No.13-1327)
When attorney Julia Ofenbakh was contracted to represent indigent persons in court for the public defender's office, it was for criminal and juvenile cases, not appellate services. She was, however, appointed to work an appellate proceeding in 2013. When she went to collect her check, the public defender's office denied her payment because she had not technically been contracted for appellate work. After a hearing, a district court ruled that she was entitled to payment.
| “ | There is no doubt that there was a mistake made by SPD, Court Administration, or the Court. But the evidence is overwhelming that there was reason to believe that the appointment was appropriate. Counsel should be compensated for work done.[8][7] | ” |
When the public defender's office appealed three judges of Iowa Court of Appeals—Chief Judge David R. Danilson and Judges Christopher McDonald and Amanda Potterfield—reversed and remanded the lower court's decision, finding that Ofenbakh was not entitled to be paid for her appellate services because her contract did not contemplate appellate work.[8]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Iowa Court of Appeals Amanda Potterfield. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
- Iowa Judicia Branch, "Iowa Court of Appeals"
- Iowa Judicial Branch: Court of Appeals, "Judge Amanda Potterfield"
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Iowa Judicial Branch: Court of Appeals, "Judge Amanda Potterfield," accessed May 30, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Office of the Governor, "Governor Culver Names Amanda Potterfield To Iowa Court Of Appeals, Michael Shubatt To Iowa District Court 1a," July 2, 2008
- ↑ Business Record, "Three people nominated to fill appeals court vacancy," October 30, 2019
- ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Judges Standing for Retention," July 27, 2016
- ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Iowa 2010 Official General Election Results," accessed May 30, 2015
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Des Moines Register, "Appeals court overturns Des Moines man's murder conviction," April 22, 2015
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Iowa Court of Appeals, "Ofenbakh v. State Public Defender," August 13, 2014
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa
State courts:
Iowa Supreme Court • Iowa Court of Appeals • Iowa district courts
State resources:
Courts in Iowa • Iowa judicial elections • Judicial selection in Iowa
