Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 809A.12 (2026)

Judicial proceedings generally

✓ current as of July 2026

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1. A judicial forfeiture proceeding under this chapter is subject to the provisions of this section.

2. The court, before or after the filing of a notice of pending forfeiture or complaint and on application of the prosecuting attorney, may do any of the following:

a. Enter a restraining order or injunction.

b. Require the execution of satisfactory performance bonds.

c. Create receiverships.

d. Appoint conservators, custodians, appraisers, accountants, or trustees.

e. Take any other action to seize, secure, maintain, or preserve the availability of property subject to forfeiture under this chapter, including a writ of attachment or a warrant for its seizure.

3. a. The court, after five days’ notice to the prosecuting attorney, may issue an order to show cause to the seizing agency, for a hearing on the sole issue of whether probable cause for forfeiture of the property then exists if all of the following exist:

(1) Property is seized for forfeiture or a forfeiture lien is filed without a previous judicial determination of probable cause, order of forfeiture, or a hearing under section 809A.14, subsection 4.

(2) An owner of or interest holder in the property files an application for a hearing within ten days after notice of its seizure for forfeiture or lien, or actual knowledge of its seizure, whichever is earlier.

(3) The owner of or interest holder in the property complies with the requirements for claims or petitions in section 809A.11.

b. The hearing shall be held within thirty days of the order to show cause unless continued for good cause on motion of either party.

4. If the court finds in a hearing under subsection 3 that no probable cause exists for forfeiture of the property, or if the state elects not to contest the issue, the property shall be released to the custody of the applicant, as custodian for the court, or from the lien pending the outcome of a judicial proceeding pursuant to this chapter. If the court finds that probable cause for the forfeiture of the property exists, the court shall not order the property released.

5. All applications filed within the ten-day period prescribed by subsection 3 shall be consolidated for a single hearing relating to each applicant’s interest in the property seized for forfeiture.

6. A defendant whose criminal proceeding results in a conviction is precluded from later denying the essential allegations of the criminal offense in any proceeding pursuant to this section. A defendant whose conviction is overturned on appeal may file a motion to correct, vacate, or modify a judgment of forfeiture under this subsection.

7. In any proceeding under this chapter, if a claim is based on an exemption provided for in this chapter, the claimant must make a prima facie showing of the existence of the exemption. The prosecuting attorney must then prove by clear and convincing evidence that the exemption does not apply. The agency or political subdivision bringing the forfeiture action shall pay the reasonable attorney fees and costs, as determined by the court, incurred by a claimant who prevails on a claim for exemption in a proceeding under this chapter.\n\nTue Dec 09 21:53:52 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 809A (25, 0) §809A.12, FORFEITURE REFORM ACT 10\n\n 8. The prosecuting attorney must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the property is property subject to forfeiture.

9. In hearings and determinations pursuant to this section, the court may receive and consider, in making any determination of probable cause, all evidence admissible in determining probable cause at a preliminary hearing or by a judge pursuant to chapter 808 together with inferences therefrom.

10. The fact that money or a negotiable instrument was found in close proximity to any contraband or an instrumentality of conduct giving rise to forfeiture shall give rise to the presumption that the money or negotiable instrument was the proceeds of conduct giving rise to forfeiture or was used or intended to be used to facilitate the conduct.

11. Subject to the exemptions contained in section 809A.5, a presumption arises that any property of a person is subject to forfeiture under this chapter if the state establishes any of the following:

a. If the property to be forfeited is equal to or exceeds the minimum civil forfeiture amount, that the person engaged in conduct giving rise to forfeiture. If the property to be forfeited is less than the minimum civil forfeiture amount, that the person was convicted for the conduct giving rise to forfeiture.

b. The property was acquired by the person during that period of the conduct giving rise to forfeiture or within a reasonable time after that period.

c. No likely source for acquisition of the property exists other than the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture.

12. A finding that property is the proceeds of conduct giving rise to forfeiture does not require proof that the property is the proceeds of any particular exchange or transaction.

13. A person who acquires property subject to forfeiture is a constructive trustee of the property, and its fruits, for the benefit of the state, to the extent that the person’s interest is not exempt from forfeiture. If property subject to forfeiture has been commingled with other property, the court shall order the forfeiture of the commingled property, and of any fruits of the commingled property, to the extent of the property subject to forfeiture, unless an owner or interest holder proves that specified property does not contain property subject to forfeiture, or that the person’s interest in specified property is exempt from forfeiture.

14. Title to all property declared forfeited under this chapter vests in the state on the commission of the conduct giving rise to forfeiture together with the proceeds of the property after that time. Any such property or proceeds subsequently transferred to any person remain subject to forfeiture and thereafter shall be ordered forfeited unless the transferee claims and establishes in a hearing under the provisions of this chapter that the transferee’s interest is exempt under section 809A.5.

15. An acquittal or dismissal in a criminal proceeding shall not preclude civil proceedings under this chapter if the value of the property to be forfeited is equal to or exceeds the minimum civil forfeiture amount.

16. For good cause shown, on motion by either party, the court may stay discovery in civil forfeiture proceedings during a criminal trial for a related criminal indictment or information alleging the same conduct, after making provision to prevent loss to any party resulting from the stay. Such a stay shall not be available pending an appeal.

17. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, all proceedings hereunder shall be governed by the rules of civil procedure.

18. An action brought pursuant to this chapter shall be consolidated with any other action or proceeding brought pursuant to this chapter or chapter 626 or 654 relating to the same property on motion of the prosecuting attorney, and may be consolidated on motion of an owner or interest holder. 96 Acts, ch 1133, §12; 2013 Acts, ch 30, §261; 2017 Acts, ch 114, §5 – 7, 15 Referred to in §809A.14 2017 amendments to subsections 6, 7, 11, and 15 and new subsection 8 apply to forfeiture proceedings that begin on or after July 1, 2017; 2017 Acts, ch 114, §15 \n

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 16 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2002–2024 · leading case: In the Matter of Prop. Seized from Jean Carlos Herrera & Fernando Rodriguez, 912 N.W.2d 454 (Iowa 2018).

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In the Matter of Prop. Seized from Jean Carlos Herrera & Fernando Rodriguez, 912 N.W.2d 454 (Iowa 2018). · cites it 12× “The agency or political subdivision *470 bringing the forfeiture action shall pay the reasonable attorney fees and costs, as determined by the court, incurred by a claimant who prevails on a claim for exemption in a proceeding under this chapter.”

In Re the Prop. Seized for Forfeiture From Williams, 676 N.W.2d 607 (Iowa 2004). · cites it 8× “Iowa Code section 809A.12(16) applies the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure to all proceedings under chapter 809A, unless otherwise provided by chapter 809A.”

Elyse De Stefano v. Apts. Downtown, Inc., 879 N.W.2d 155 (Iowa 2016). · cites it 2× “6(8) (awarding as part of relief to an aggrieved party under genetic testing laws attorney fees and court costs); id.”

In Re Prop. Seized From Terrell, 639 N.W.2d 18 (Iowa 2002). · cites it 2× “See Iowa Code § 809A.12(14) (“An acquittal or dismissal in a criminal proceeding shall not preclude civil proceedings under this chapter.”

In the Matter of Prop. Seized From Gordon Darnelle Watt IV, Gordon Darnell Watt IV (Iowa Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 12× “Watt argues the district court erred in finding the currency was subject to forfeiture under Iowa Code chapter 809A (2013) and in applying the presumption contained in section 809A.12(9). Because we find substantial evidence supporting the forfeiture order, we affirm.”

In the Matter of Prop. Seized from Dallas Edward Forkner (Iowa Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 10× “Forkner argues the State is not entitled to a presumption under Iowa Code section 809A.12. But, as the State points out, the district court did not apply any presumption under section 809A.”

In the Matter of Prop. Seized From Jean Carlos Herrera & Fernando Rodriguez, Jean Carlos Herrera & Fernando Rodriguez, Claimants-Appellants. (Iowa Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 4× “See Iowa Code § 809A.12(7) (“The agency or political subdivision bringing the forfeiture action shall pay the reasonable attorney fees and costs, as determined by the court, incurred by a claimant who prevails on a claim for exemption in proceeding under this chapter.”

In the Matter of Prop. Seized from David Ray Brooks (Iowa Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 4× “The order did not purport to take any of the actions available to the court under Iowa Code section 809A.12. 12 or verified complaint for forfeiture.”

In the Matter of Prop. Seized for Forfeiture from Darrell Anthony Jones (Iowa Ct. App. 2024). · cites it 4× “See Iowa Code § 809A.12(10) (stating “the fact that money .”

Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enf't Team v. Junction City Lots 1 Through 12 Inclusive, Block 35, 424 P.3d 1226 (Wash. 2018). “§ 2465 (b)(1) ; Iowa Code § 809A.12(7) ; Or. Rev. Stat . § 131 A.”

Michael Merrill & Karen Jo Frescoln v. Valley View Swine, LLC & JBS Live Pork, LLC f/k/a Cargill Pork, LLC (Iowa 2020). · cites it 2× “2d 454 , 469– 73 (Iowa 2018) (finding that a property owner was the prevailing party and could recover attorney fees under Iowa Code section 809A.12(7) when the state voluntarily dismissed its forfeiture action); In re Marriage of Roerig, 503 N.”

Show all 16 citing cases →

— Iowa Code § 809A.12(10) — 2 cases

In the Matter of Prop. Seized from Dallas Edward Forkner (Iowa Ct. App. 2020). “Forkner argues the State is not entitled to a presumption under Iowa Code section 809A.12. But, as the State points out, the district court did not apply any presumption under section 809A.”

In the Matter of Prop. Seized for Forfeiture from Darrell Anthony Jones (Iowa Ct. App. 2024). “See Iowa Code § 809A.12(10) (stating “the fact that money .”

— Iowa Code § 809A.12(11) — 1 case

— Iowa Code § 809A.12(13) — 1 case

In the Matter of Prop. Seized for Forfeiture from Darrell Anthony Jones (Iowa Ct. App. 2024). “See Iowa Code § 809A.12(10) (stating “the fact that money .”

— Iowa Code § 809A.12(14) — 2 cases

In Re Prop. Seized From Terrell, 639 N.W.2d 18 (Iowa 2002). “See Iowa Code § 809A.12(14) (“An acquittal or dismissal in a criminal proceeding shall not preclude civil proceedings under this chapter.”

In the Matter of the Prop. Seized for Forfeiture From Samantha Thao & Karen Thao, Samantha Thao & Karen Thao (Iowa Ct. App. 2016).

— Iowa Code § 809A.12(16) — 2 cases

In Re the Prop. Seized for Forfeiture From Williams, 676 N.W.2d 607 (Iowa 2004). “Iowa Code section 809A.12(16) applies the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure to all proceedings under chapter 809A, unless otherwise provided by chapter 809A.”

In the Matter of Prop. Seized for Forfeiture From Phillip Anthony Flora, Phillip Anthony Flora (Iowa Ct. App. 2017).

— Iowa Code § 809A.12(17) — 1 case

In the Matter of Prop. Seized from David Ray Brooks (Iowa Ct. App. 2023). “The order did not purport to take any of the actions available to the court under Iowa Code section 809A.12. 12 or verified complaint for forfeiture.”

— Iowa Code § 809A.12(7) — 9 cases

In the Matter of Prop. Seized from Jean Carlos Herrera & Fernando Rodriguez, 912 N.W.2d 454 (Iowa 2018). “The agency or political subdivision *470 bringing the forfeiture action shall pay the reasonable attorney fees and costs, as determined by the court, incurred by a claimant who prevails on a claim for exemption in a proceeding under this chapter.”

Elyse De Stefano v. Apts. Downtown, Inc., 879 N.W.2d 155 (Iowa 2016). “6(8) (awarding as part of relief to an aggrieved party under genetic testing laws attorney fees and court costs); id.”

In the Matter of Prop. Seized From Jean Carlos Herrera & Fernando Rodriguez, Jean Carlos Herrera & Fernando Rodriguez, Claimants-Appellants. (Iowa Ct. App. 2017). “See Iowa Code § 809A.12(7) (“The agency or political subdivision bringing the forfeiture action shall pay the reasonable attorney fees and costs, as determined by the court, incurred by a claimant who prevails on a claim for exemption in proceeding under this chapter.”

Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enf't Team v. Junction City Lots 1 Through 12 Inclusive, Block 35, 424 P.3d 1226 (Wash. 2018). “§ 2465 (b)(1) ; Iowa Code § 809A.12(7) ; Or. Rev. Stat . § 131 A.”

— Iowa Code § 809A.12(9) — 1 case

In the Matter of Prop. Seized From Gordon Darnelle Watt IV, Gordon Darnell Watt IV (Iowa Ct. App. 2016). “Watt argues the district court erred in finding the currency was subject to forfeiture under Iowa Code chapter 809A (2013) and in applying the presumption contained in section 809A.12(9). Because we find substantial evidence supporting the forfeiture order, we affirm.”

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