236.3 - COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS -- WAIVER TO JUVENILE COURT.
236.3 COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS -- WAIVER TO JUVENILE
COURT.
1. A person, including a parent or guardian on behalf of an
unemancipated minor, may seek relief from domestic abuse by filing a
verified petition in the district court. Venue shall lie where
either party resides. The petition shall state the:
a. Name of the plaintiff and the name and address of the
plaintiff's attorney, if any. If the plaintiff is proceeding pro se,
the petition shall state a mailing address for the plaintiff. A
mailing address may be provided by the plaintiff pursuant to section
236.10.
b. Name and address of the parent or guardian filing the
petition, if the petition is being filed on behalf of an
unemancipated minor. A mailing address may be provided by the
plaintiff pursuant to section 236.10.
c. Name and address, if known, of the defendant.
d. Relationship of the plaintiff to the defendant.
e. Nature of the alleged domestic abuse.
f. Name and age of each child under eighteen whose welfare
may be affected by the controversy.
g. Desired relief, including a request for temporary or
emergency orders.
2. A temporary or emergency order shall be based on a showing of
a prima facie case of domestic abuse. If the factual basis for the
alleged domestic abuse is contested, the court shall issue a
protective order based upon a finding of domestic abuse by a
preponderance of the evidence.
3. The filing fee and court costs for an order for protection and
in a contempt action under this chapter shall be waived for the
plaintiff. The clerk of court, the sheriff of any county in this
state, and other law enforcement and corrections officers shall
perform their duties relating to service of process without charge to
the plaintiff. When an order for protection is entered by the court,
the court may direct the defendant to pay to the clerk of court the
fees for the filing of the petition and reasonable costs of service
of process if the court determines the defendant has the ability to
pay the plaintiff's fees and costs.
4. If the person against whom relief from domestic abuse is being
sought is seventeen years of age or younger, the district court shall
waive its jurisdiction over the action to the juvenile court. Section History: Early Form
[C81, § 236.3] Section History: Recent Form
85 Acts, ch 175, § 3; 86 Acts, ch 1237, § 12; 91 Acts, ch 218, §5;
95 Acts, ch 180, § 8--10; 96 Acts, ch 1034, § 12; 2000 Acts, ch 1119,
§1; 2001 Acts, ch 43, §1; 2002 Acts, ch 1004, §3; 2002 Acts, ch 1119,
§36; 2003 Acts, ch 44, §53; 2003 Acts, ch 151, §7; 2009 Acts, ch 41,
§263
Referred to in § 232.8, 236.6, 236.19, 598.16, 598.41, 915.50