Pettit v. Iowa Department of Corrections

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In 2004, Gary Pettit pled guilty to third-degree sexual abuse and third-degree kidnapping, Pettit was incarcerated at the Anamosa State Penitentiary. In 2015, the Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) informed Pettit that he would be required to complete sex offender treatment. After a sex offender treatment program (SOTP) classification hearing, an administrative law judge (ALJ) affirmed the classification decision, concluding that Pettit was required to complete the SOTP. Pettit filed a petition for judicial review, claiming that the IDOC violated his due process rights by refusing to allow him access to counsel during the classification hearing. The district court determined that Pettit was entitled to counsel at the hearing. The Supreme Court vacated the judgment of the district court and remanded, holding that the district court did not have authority to review the classification hearing under Iowa Code chapter 17A. Remanded for dismissal of Pettit’s petition for judicial review. View "Pettit v. Iowa Department of Corrections" on Justia Law