State of Iowa v. Iowa District Court For Emmet County

This court granted the State’s petition for writ of certiorari to review the district court’s order requiring the State to pay for a third-party technology firm to conduct a privilege review of a criminal defendant’s emails obtained via search warrant. The State argues the district court lacked statutory authority to order the State to pay these costs. If the district court could tax the costs to a party, the State argues it should have taxed the costs to the criminal defendant.

Holding: State petitions for review of district court order regarding the assessment of costs for conducting privilege review of electronic information obtained via search warrant. WRIT SUSTAINED.