Tap any paragraph to write a margin note. Your notes collect in the Desk below the text and file under cases with @. The side-by-side margin rail opens on a larger screen.

§
Marginalia
Code · Iowa · Chapter 915 — Victim Rights

915.37 Guardian ad litem for prosecuting child witnesses.

350 words·~2 min read·/ia/chapter-915-victim-rights/915-37·

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

1. a. A prosecuting witness who is a child or who has a mental disability in a case involving a violation of chapter 709 or 710A, or section 726.2, 726.3, 726.6, or 728.12, is entitled to have the witness’s interests represented by a guardian ad litem at all stages of the proceedings arising from such violation. The guardian ad litem shall be a practicing attorney and shall be designated by the court after due consideration is given to the desires and needs of the prosecuting witness and the compatibility of the prosecuting witness and the prosecuting witness’s interests with the prospective guardian ad litem.
If a guardian ad litem is currently appointed, or has previously been appointed, for the prosecuting witness in a proceeding under section 598.12, a proceeding under chapter 232, a proceeding in which the juvenile court has waived jurisdiction under section 232.45, or any other proceeding substantially related to a matter arising under this section, the court shall give appointment priority to the same guardian ad litem under this section. When a guardian ad litem is appointed for a prosecuting witness with a mental disability, the court shall give appointment priority to an attorney who has background and training specific to persons with mental disabilities.
The guardian ad litem shall receive notice of and may attend all depositions, hearings, and trial proceedings to support the prosecuting witness and advocate for the protection of the prosecuting witness but shall not be allowed to separately introduce evidence or to directly examine or cross-examine witnesses. However, the guardian ad litem shall file reports to the court as required by the court.
b. For purposes of this subsection:
(1)“Child” means a person under eighteen years of age.
(2)“Mental disability” means one or more intellectual, developmental, or psychiatric disabilities that result in significant impairment to a person’s ability to comprehend, communicate, or learn.
2. References in this section to a guardian ad litem shall be interpreted to include references to a court appointed special advocate as defined in section 232.2.
Subsection 1, paragraph b amended
Subsection 1, paragraph c stricken
★   the supreme law of the land   ★
Don't Tread on Me
E Pluribus Unum — out of many, one

"If you don't know your rights, you don't have any."

Marginalia · a citizen's law index
A research desk, not legal advice. Always read the cited source before relying on a summary.
Questions or an issue? support@self-law.org
disclaimerMarginalia is a research index, not a law firm. Nothing on this site is legal, tax, or financial advice and no attorney–client relationship is formed by using it. Statutes, regulations, and case law change; summaries, search results, AI output, and member posts may be incomplete, out of date, or wrong. Any interpretation drawn from material on this site should be validated by a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before you act on it.