Iowa statute
Iowa Code § 815.4 — Special witnesses for indigents
Current through 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.)
Part of Chapter 815: Costs — Compensation and Fees — Indigent Defense, Iowa Code.
Full text of Iowa Code § 815.4
Statutory text current through the 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.). This publication reproduces the statutory text of the official 2026 Iowa Code (Legislative Services Agency); it is not the official publication of the State of Iowa.
1. An application for an expert or other witnesses under Iowa rule of criminal procedure 2.20 shall include a statement attesting that the attorney advised the indigent person of the application, the expected expenses, and the potential for reimbursement of the expenses pursuant to section 815.9.
2. a. The court shall authorize the securing of a witness prior to the witness incurring any expenses.
b. The court shall either set in advance a maximum dollar amount of the claim for expenses or approve the final amount of the claim for expenses as reasonable compensation.
c. The state public defender shall only approve the claim for the expenses of the witness if the securing of the witness was authorized by the court and either the maximum dollar amount of the claim for expenses was set prior to the expenses being incurred or the court has approved the final amount of the claim for expenses as reasonable compensation.
3. A witness secured for an indigent person under Iowa rule of criminal procedure 2.20 shall file a claim for compensation with the state public defender as required by the rules of the state public defender, and the claim shall be supported by an itemization specifying the time expended, services rendered, and expenses incurred on behalf of the indigent person.
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