Criminal Justice (Judges)

SF 2399 sets minimum pretrial bond amounts for specific felony charges in Iowa: $500,000 for Class A felonies and $25,000, $10,000, and $5,000 for Class B, C, and D forcible felonies, respectively. Courts must consider public safety risks when setting bond, and these amounts are presumed reasonable unless a judge provides written justification for a lower amount. The bond schedule must be adjusted annually for inflation. The bill also requires the Department of Corrections to verify pretrial release evaluations before they are used by magistrates.

This bill changes how criminal defendants obtain evidence through subpoenas. It requires defendants or their lawyers to apply to a judge for a subpoena instead of issuing one directly, proving the evidence is necessary, exculpatory (could help prove innocence), and not private information of crime victims or others. If evidence is obtained improperly, it cannot be used in court, and defendants must share it with prosecutors within five business days. The law also ensures crime victims served with subpoenas get appointed legal help if they cannot afford it, and prevents postconviction claims based on improperly obtained subpoena evidence.