Rule 2.33 – Dismissal of prosecutions; right to speedy trial

May 13, 2021 | Criminal Procedure, Iowa

2. 33(1)Dismissal generally; effect. The court, upon its own motion or the application of the prosecuting attorney, in the furtherance of justice, may order the dismissal of any pending criminal prosecution, the reasons therefor being stated in the order and entered of record, and no such prosecution shall be discontinued or abandoned in any other manner. Such a dismissal is a bar to another prosecution for the same offense if it is a simple or serious misdemeanor; but it is not a bar if the offense charged be a felony or an aggravated misdemeanor.
2. 33(2)Speedy trial. It is the public policy of the state of Iowa that criminal prosecutions be concluded at the earliest possible time consistent with a fair trial to both parties. Applications for dismissals under this rule may be made by the prosecuting attorney or the defendant or by the court on its own motion.

a. When an adult is arrested for the commission of a public offense, or, in the case of a child, when the juvenile court enters an order waiving jurisdiction pursuant to Iowa Code section 232.45, and an indictment is not found against the defendant within 45 days, the court must order the prosecution to be dismissed, unless good cause to the contrary is shown or the defendant waives the defendant’s right thereto.
b. If a defendant indicted for a public offense has not waived the defendant’s right to a speedy trial the defendant must be brought to trial within 90 days after indictment is found or the court must order the indictment to be dismissed unless good cause to the contrary be shown.
c. All criminal cases must be brought to trial within one year after the defendant’s initial arraignment pursuant to rule 2.8 unless an extension is granted by the court, upon a showing of good cause.
d. If the court directs the prosecution to be dismissed, the defendant, if in custody, must be discharged, or the defendant’s bail, if any, exonerated, and if money has been deposited instead of bail, it must be refunded to the defendant.
2. 33(3)Jury impaneled outside of county. For purposes of this section, when a jury is to be impaneled from outside the county under rule 2.11(10)(d), a defendant is deemed to have been brought to trial as of the day when the trial commences in the county in which jury selection takes place.
2. 33(4)Change of venue after jury selection commenced. Whenever a change of venue is granted pursuant to Iowa Code section 803.2, the defendant may be brought to trial within 30 days of the grant of the change of venue, notwithstanding rule 2.33(2)(b).

Iowa. R. Crim. P. 2.33

66GA, ch 1245(2), § 1301; amendment 1979; amendment 1980; amendment 1982; 82 Acts, ch 1021, § 5, effective July 1, 1983; Report November 9, 2001, effective February 15, 2002