Iowa Code » Chapter 659 — LIBEL AND SLANDER
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 659.6 (2026)

Proof of malice

✓ current as of July 2026
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In actions for slander or libel, an unproved allegation of the truth of the matter charged shall not be deemed proof of malice, unless the jury on the whole case finds that such defense was made with malicious intent. [R60, §2929; C73, §2682; C97, §3593; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12416; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §659.6]\n\nTue Dec 09 21:57:54 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 659 (16, 0)

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 2016–2016 · leading case: Mary E. Roth & Michael A. Roth, Individually & as Coexecutors of the Est. of Cletus Roth, Anna M. Roth, Individually, & Bradley E. Roth, Individually v. the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Soc'y D/B/A Good Samaritan Soc'y - George, 886 N.W.2d 601 (Iowa 2016).
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Mary E. Roth & Michael A. Roth, Individually & as Coexecutors of the Est. of Cletus Roth, Anna M. Roth, Individually, & Bradley E. Roth, Individually v. the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Soc'y D/B/A Good Samaritan Soc'y - George, 886 N.W.2d 601 (Iowa 2016). · cites it 3× “section 659.6 provides that in defamation cases, “an unproved allegation of the truth of the matter charged shall not be deemed proof of malice, unless the jury on the whole case finds that.”
Amended December 30, 2016 Mary E. Roth & Michael A. Roth, Individually & as Coexecutors of the Est. of Cletus Roth, Anna M. Roth, Individually, & Bradley E. Roth, Individually v. The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Soc'y D/B/A Good Samaritan Soc'y - George (Iowa 2016). · cites it 3× “And Iowa Code section 659.6 provides that in defamation cases, “an unproved allegation of the truth of the matter charged shall not be deemed proof of malice, unless the jury on the whole case finds that such defense was made with malicious intent.”
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