1. Not less than five and not more than fifteen days after commencing a proceeding and upon notice to the defendant, a hearing shall be held at which the plaintiff must prove the allegation of sexual abuse by a preponderance of the evidence.

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Terms Used In Iowa Code 236A.6

  • Allegation: something that someone says happened.
  • Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
  • Court: shall mean and include any court upon which jurisdiction has been conferred to determine the liability of persons for the support of dependents. See Iowa Code 252A.2
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
 2. The court may enter any temporary order it deems necessary to protect the plaintiff from sexual abuse prior to the hearing upon good cause shown in an ex parte proceeding. Present danger of sexual abuse to the plaintiff constitutes good cause for purposes of this subsection.
 3. If a hearing is continued, the court may make or extend any temporary order under subsection 2 that it deems necessary.
 4. Upon application of the plaintiff or defendant, the court shall issue subpoenas requiring attendance and testimony of witnesses and production of papers.
 5. The court shall advise the defendant of a right to be represented by counsel of the defendant’s choosing and to have a continuance to secure counsel.
 6. Hearings shall be recorded.