Iowa Code 809A.18 – Powers of enforcement personnel
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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1. A prosecuting attorney may conduct an investigation of any conduct that gives rise to forfeiture. The prosecuting attorney is authorized, before the commencement of a proceeding or action under this chapter, to subpoena witnesses, and compel their attendance, examine them under oath, and require the production of documentary evidence for inspection, reproducing, or copying. Except as otherwise provided by this section, the prosecuting attorney shall proceed under this subsection with the powers and limitations, and judicial oversight and enforcement, and in the manner provided by this chapter and by the Iowa rules of civil procedure. Any person compelled to appear under a demand for oral testimony under this section may be accompanied, represented, and advised by counsel.
Attorney's Note
Under the Iowa Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class D felony | up to 5 years | between $1,025 and $10,245 |
Terms Used In Iowa Code 809A.18
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- 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.
- Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
- person: means individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity. See Iowa Code 4.1
- Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
- Prosecuting attorney: means an attorney who is authorized by law to appear on the behalf of the state in a criminal case, and includes the attorney general, an assistant attorney general, the county attorney, an assistant county attorney, or a special or substitute prosecutor whose appearance is approved by a court having jurisdiction to try a defendant for the offense with which the defendant is charged. See Iowa Code 809A.1
- Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
2. The examination of all witnesses under this section shall be conducted by the prosecuting attorney before an officer authorized to administer oaths. The testimony shall be taken by a certified shorthand reporter or by a sound recording device and shall be transcribed or otherwise preserved. The prosecuting attorney may exclude from the examination all persons except the witness, the witness’s counsel, the officer before whom the testimony is to be taken, law enforcement officials, and a certified shorthand reporter. Prior to oral examination, the person shall be advised of the person’s right to refuse to answer any questions on the basis of the privilege against self-incrimination. The examination shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the rules dealing with the taking of depositions.
3. Except as otherwise provided in this section, prior to the filing of a civil or criminal proceeding or action relating to such a proceeding, documentary material, transcripts, or oral testimony, in the possession of the prosecuting attorney, shall not be available for examination by any individual other than a law enforcement official or agent of such official without the consent of the person who produced the material, transcripts, or oral testimony.
4. A person shall not knowingly remove from any place, conceal, withhold, destroy, mutilate, alter, or by any other means falsify any documentary material that is the subject of a subpoena, with intent to avoid, evade, prevent, or obstruct compliance in whole or in part by any person with any duly served subpoena of the prosecuting attorney under this section. A violation of this subsection is a class “D” felony. The prosecuting attorney shall investigate and prosecute suspected violations of this subsection.