915.37 Guardian ad litem for prosecuting child witnesses.
1. a. A prosecuting witness who is a child 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 child and the compatibility of the child and the child’s interests with the prospective guardian ad litem. If a guardian ad litem has previously been appointed for the child in a proceeding under chapter 232 or a proceeding in which the juvenile court has waived jurisdiction under section 232.45, the court shall appoint the same guardian ad litem under this section. The guardian ad litem shall receive notice of and may attend all depositions, hearings, and trial proceedings to support the child and advocate for the protection of the child 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, “child” means a person under eighteen years of age.
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 9.
98 Acts, ch 1090, §30, 84; 2009 Acts, ch 19, §3; 2021 Acts, ch 61, §2
Subsection 1 amended
Structure Iowa Code
Title XVI - CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE
Section 915.3 - Immunity — citizen intervention.
Section 915.10A - Automated victim notification system.
Section 915.11 - Notifications by law enforcement.
Section 915.12 - Registration.
Section 915.13 - Notification by county attorney.
Section 915.14 - Notification by clerk of the district court.
Section 915.15 - Notification by department of justice.
Section 915.16 - Notification by local correctional institutions.
Section 915.17 - Notification by department of corrections.
Section 915.17A - Notification by judicial district department of correctional services.
Section 915.18 - Notification by board of parole.
Section 915.19 - Notification by the governor.
Section 915.20 - Presence of victim counselors.
Section 915.20A - Victim counselor privilege.
Section 915.21 - Victim impact statement.
Section 915.22 - Civil injunction to restrain harassment or intimidation of victims or witnesses.
Section 915.23 - Employment discrimination against witnesses prohibited.
Section 915.24 - Notification of victim of juvenile by juvenile court officer.
Section 915.25 - Right to review complaint against juvenile.
Section 915.26 - Victim impact statement by victim of juvenile.
Section 915.27 - Sexual assault by juvenile.
Section 915.28 - Restitution for delinquent acts of juvenile.
Section 915.29 - Notification of victim of juvenile by department of human services.
Section 915.35 - Child victim services.
Section 915.36 - Protection of child victim’s privacy.
Section 915.36A - Minor prosecuting witness — pretrial contact.
Section 915.37 - Guardian ad litem for prosecuting child witnesses.
Section 915.41 - Medical examination costs.
Section 915.42 - Right to HIV-testing of convicted or alleged assailant.
Section 915.43 - Testing, reporting, and counseling — penalties.
Section 915.44 - Polygraph examinations of victims or witnesses — limitations.
Section 915.45 - Notice to victims of discharge of persons committed.
Section 915.46 - Sexual assault forensic examiner program.
Section 915.50 - General rights of domestic abuse and sexual abuse victims.
Section 915.50A - General rights of elder abuse victims.
Section 915.51 - General rights of human trafficking victims.
Section 915.52 - Protective order victim notification system.
Section 915.53 - Automated tracking system — sexual abuse evidence collection kits.
Section 915.81 - Award of compensation.
Section 915.82 - Crime victim assistance board.
Section 915.83 - Duties of department.
Section 915.84 - Application for compensation.
Section 915.85 - Compensation payable.
Section 915.86 - Computation of compensation.
Section 915.87 - Reductions and disqualifications.
Section 915.88 - Compensation when money insufficient.
Section 915.89 - Erroneous or fraudulent payment — penalty.
Section 915.90 - Release of information.
Section 915.91 - Emergency payment compensation.
Section 915.92 - Right of action against perpetrator — subrogation.
Section 915.94 - Victim compensation fund.