SF 571: Relating to defense subpoenas in criminal cases, and providing penalties

What it does

This bill relates to defense subpoenas in criminal cases. The bill provides that a criminal defendant or counsel acting on the defendant’s behalf shall not issue any subpoena for documents or other evidence except upon application to the court. An application shall not be granted unless a defendant proves by a preponderance of the evidence there is a compelling need for the evidence sought and that such evidence is material, necessary, exculpatory, and admissible at trial; and the evidence sought does not include the private information of a crime victim or any other person except for the defendant’s own private information.

Senate subcommittee · named January 28, 2025

• Sen. Jeff Taylor (R) · jeff.taylor@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Matt Blake (D) · matt.blake@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Cherielynn Westrich (R) · cherielynn.westrich@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 5 for, 5 against

For: Iowa Attorney General Dept. of Justice; Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Iowa County Attorneys Association; Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance; Soaring Hearts

Against: American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); Innocence Project; Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers; Iowa Association for Justice; Kurtis Bower

In plain words

1. January 28, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee · as SSB 1055
2. January 28, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Taylor, Blake and Westrich · as SSB 1055
3. January 29, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it · as SSB 1055
4. March 6, 2025Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 571 · as SSB 1055
5. March 10, 2025Filed in the Senate
6. March 10, 2025Approved by the Senate committee
7. March 24, 2025Cost estimate (fiscal note) posted
8. March 24, 2025Passed the Senate, 34–15
9. March 24, 2025Arrived in the House