1. In addition to the penalty provided in section 610.5, if applicable, or any other applicable penalty under the Code, the court may dismiss an action or appeal that is subject to this chapter, in whole or in part, on a finding of any of the following:

 a. The allegation of inability to pay asserted in an accompanying affidavit is false.
 b. The action, claim, defense, or appeal is frivolous or malicious in whole or in part.
 c. The inmate or prisoner has knowingly presented false testimony or evidence, or has attempted to create or present false testimony or evidence in support of the action, claim, defense, or appeal.
 d. The actions of the inmate or prisoner in pursuing the action, claim, defense, or appeal constitute an abuse of the discovery process.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 610A.2

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Allegation: something that someone says happened.
  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
  • 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.
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
  • State: includes any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any territory or possession subject to the legislative authority of the United States. See Iowa Code 633D.2
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
 2. In determining whether an action or appeal is frivolous or malicious, the court may consider the following:

 a. Whether the action, claim, defense, or appeal is without substantial justification, or otherwise has no arguable basis in law or fact, including that the action, claim, defense, or appeal fails to state a claim upon which relief could be granted, or the action, claim, defense, or appeal cannot be supported by a reasonable argument for a change in existing law.
 b. Whether the action, claim, defense, or appeal is substantially similar to a previous action, claim, defense, or appeal, that was determined to be frivolous or malicious, either in that it is brought against the same party or in that the claim arises from the same operative facts.
 c. Whether the action, claim, defense, or appeal is intended solely or primarily for harassment.
 d. The fact that evidentiary support for the action, claim, defense, or appeal is unavailable, or is not likely to be discovered after investigation.
 e. Whether the action, claim, defense, or appeal is asserted with an improper purpose, including but not limited to, causing an unnecessary expansion or delay in proceedings, increasing the cost of proceedings, or harassing an opponent.
 f. Whether the defendant is immune from providing the relief sought.
 3. In making the determination under subsection 1, the court may hold a hearing before or after service of process on its own motion or on the motion of a party. The hearing may be held by telephone or video conference on the motion of the court or of a party.
 4. The court may dismiss the entire action or appeal or a portion of the action or appeal before or after service of process. If a portion of the action or appeal is dismissed, the court shall also designate the issues and defendants on which the action or appeal is to proceed without paying fees and costs. This order is not subject to interlocutory appeal.
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