State of Iowa v. Chad Jay Rouse

We must decide whether the district court had authority to suspend a sentence.

I. Background Facts and Proceedings

The State charged Chad Rouse with (1) serious injury by vehicle and (2) operating a motor vehicle while under the influence (OWI). Rouse entered an Alford 1 plea to both charges, which the district court accepted.

The court proceeded to address a motion to adjudicate law points filed by Rouse on whether the court had authority to suspend the judgment or sentence on the serious-injury-by-vehicle count. The court found it had no authority to suspend the sentence.

The court adjudged…