Iowa statute
Iowa Code § 819.1 — Witnesses required to testify in another state
Current through 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.)
Part of Chapter 819: Uniform Act to Secure Witnesses From Without the State, Iowa Code.
Full text of Iowa Code § 819.1
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.
A person residing or physically present within this state may be required to attend as a witness in a criminal action pending or grand jury investigation commenced in another state if compliance with the following criteria is accomplished:
1. The laws of such other state require or command persons residing or physically present within that state to attend and testify in this state.
2. A judge of a court of record in the other state certifies under the seal of such court that there is a criminal action pending in such court or that a grand jury investigation has commenced; that a person residing or physically present within this state is a material witness in such action or grand jury investigation; and that the person’s presence will be required for a number of days which shall be specified in such certification.
3. The certification described in subsection 2 of this section shall have been presented to any judge of the district court of the county in which the prospective witness is found.
4. The judge described in subsection 3 of this section shall make an order directing the witness to appear at a specific time and place for the hearing. If at the hearing the judge determines that the witness is material and necessary, either for the prosecution or defense in a criminal action, or for a grand jury investigation, and that it will not cause undue hardship to the witness to be compelled to attend and testify in such proceedings and that the provisions of subsections 2 and 3 of this section are complied with, the judge shall make an order, with a copy of the certificate attached, directing the witness to attend and testify in the court where the action is pending or the place where such grand jury has commenced at the time and place specified in the certificate.
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Legal terms used in this section
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.