IOWA
What's New in the Dorr Case
Iowa readers are familiar with the ongoing case of State v. Dorr, in which Paul Dorr, a conscientious objector, refused to file the "Competent Private Instruction Report Form" (also known as "Form A") required by Iowa law. Just last year, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled against the Riveras, a family with similar religious beliefs. (Home School Legal Defense Association did not represent the Riveras.) We do not believe that the adverse ruling in the Rivera case closes the door on religious liberty in Iowa, and we have been working very carefully with each family that cannot, in good conscience, fill out Form A. Last year, five member families informed us that they could not send in Form A. In all five of those cases, the county prosecutors refused to file charges. The Dorr situation was unique because the local school district found a special prosecutor, Jon Martin, who was willing to bring charges. Mr. Martin, however, resigned as Special Prosecutor in June.
A court date was set for October 28, 1994, but this date has been postponed indeterminately to give Mr. Dorr an opportunity to discuss the situation with the new special prosecutor. Mr. Dorr is willing to demonstrate to the state that his children are actually being well educated, but he is not willing to ask the state's permission to do what God has commanded him to do. It is now up to the new prosecutor to determine whether or not to exercise his discretion in this case. As a prosecutor, he is free to drop the simple misdemeanor charges in this case if he so chooses. Please pray that he will do so.
