State Public Defender Website - Miscellaneous Claims

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Miscellaneous Claims

1. The state’s obligation to pay interpreter claims from the indigent defense fund is limited by the provisions of Iowa Code chapter 622A. Specifically, Iowa Code section 622A.3(2) provides that in "criminal cases, where the defendant is indigent, the interpreter shall be considered as a defense witness under R.Cr.P. 14 for purposes of receiving fees." Therefore, it is essential that any order employing an interpreter specifically find that the defendant is indigent. This would include simple misdemeanors.

2. Other types of interpreter claims that are not payable from the indigent defense fund are claims from interpreters providing services to law enforcement entities or prosecutors so that they can interview non English-speaking defendants or witnesses, or for services involved in many evaluations [other than to determine if the defendant is competent to stand trial or to establish an insanity or diminished responsibility defense]. These claims do not fit within the definition of "legal proceedings" required by Iowa Code section 622A.1.

In order to unify the process for payment of miscellaneous claims--interpreters, investigators, expert witnesses, certified shorthand reporters, and specific evaluations--all claims for court-appointed cases should be submitted to the State Public Defender, Miscellaneous Claims, Lucas State Office Building, 321 E 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319 for review, approval and processing. [Please note that if services are provided to a local public defender office, the claims should be presented to the local public defender office for processing and not mailed to the State Public Defender in Des Moines.]

The following is a Miscellaneous Claim Form for use in submitting these claims along with a checklist of information for each type of claim. Please carefully review the form and the instructions for the type of claim you are submitting.

You will need Adobe Reader on your computer to use these forms. Reader is free and may be downloaded at Adobe downloads To navigate within the form use the tab key to move between fields and use your arrow key to move within fields and drop down menus.

To process your claim you need to have a substitute W9 form on file with us. If you have never submitted a claim before or if you have not submitted a claim within the last 18 months you should include a completed substitue W-9 with your claim. Substitute Form W9

If you would like to have payment of your claim automatically deposited into your bank account please complete the Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Form and submit to the address listed on the form. Do not send this form to the State Public Defender.

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