Iowa HF16 amends indigent defense laws to protect appointed attorneys from liability unless ineffective assistance of counsel is proven.

Iowa HF16 modifies the state's indigent defense laws by ensuring that attorneys appointed by the court for indigent defendants are not liable for damages unless it is proven that their ineffective assistance of counsel directly caused the damages. This applies to both criminal and civil cases. Additionally, any noncontract attorney appointed under this section who is accused of ineffective assistance of counsel will be treated as a state employee, with defense and indemnification provided under state tort claims.

Iowa HF16 amends indigent defense laws to protect appointed attorneys from liability unless ineffective assistance of counsel is proven.

Iowa HF16 modifies the state's indigent defense laws by ensuring that attorneys appointed by the court for indigent defendants are not liable for damages unless it is proven that their ineffective assistance of counsel directly caused the damages. This applies to both criminal and civil cases. Additionally, any noncontract attorney appointed under this section who is accused of ineffective assistance of counsel will be treated as a state employee, with defense and indemnification provided under state tort claims.