[// GUIDANCE: This template is intentionally over-engineered so that it can
be pared back or expanded to match the practices of any Iowa county or the
preferences of an individual judge. All bracketed text must be completed
or deleted before filing.]

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR [__] COUNTY

State of Iowa,
    Plaintiff,

v.
Case No. [__]

[DEFENDANT LEGAL NAME],
    Defendant.

MOTION FOR REDUCTION OF BAIL AND MODIFICATION OF PRETRIAL-RELEASE CONDITIONS

Effective Date of Filing: [MM/DD/YYYY]

[// GUIDANCE: The “Effective Date of Filing” is the date the clerk will time-stamp the motion.]

RECITALS

1. On [Date of Initial Appearance] the Court set bail at $[Current Bail Amount] with the following conditions: [Summarize Existing Conditions].
2. Defendant is presently confined in the [Name of Jail] and has been in continuous custody since [Date].
3. Pursuant to Iowa Const. art. I, § 12 and Iowa Code § 811.2 (2024), this Court has continuing jurisdiction to modify bail and other conditions of release “at any time prior to conviction.”

II. DEFINITIONS

[// GUIDANCE: Delete any terms not used or add additional defined terms as needed.]

“Bail Factors” means the non-exclusive considerations listed in Iowa Code § 811.2(2), including but not limited to the nature of the offense, the Defendant’s ties to the community, and public-safety concerns.

“Current Bail” means the $[__] cash/surety bond presently required for Defendant’s release.

“Proposed Bail” means the reduced amount of $[__] cash/surety—OR—release on Defendant’s own recognizance (“ROR”) with the conditions set forth in Section V.

“State” means the State of Iowa, acting by and through the [County Attorney’s Office].

III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

1. Relief Requested. Defendant respectfully moves the Court to:
   a. Reduce Current Bail to Proposed Bail; and
   b. Modify the existing release order to incorporate the alternative conditions set forth in Section V below.

2. Grounds for Motion. The motion is founded upon:
   • Iowa Const. art. I, § 12 (right to bail),
   • Iowa Code § 811.2 (Court’s authority to set and review bail), and
   • Applicable Iowa Rules of Criminal Procedure (initial appearance, bond review).

3. Hearing Requested. Defendant requests that this motion be set for hearing on the Court’s first available criminal-motion calendar that satisfies statutory notice requirements.

IV. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES

1. Accuracy of Information. Counsel for Defendant certifies that all factual statements herein are true and correct to the best of counsel’s knowledge, information, and belief, formed after reasonable inquiry.
2. No Intent to Delay. Defendant affirms that this motion is brought in good faith and not for purposes of delay or harassment.

V. COVENANTS & PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE CONDITIONS

If the Court grants the requested reduction, Defendant agrees to comply with the following conditions precedent to and concurrent with release (collectively, “Proposed Conditions”):

1. Appear at all scheduled court dates and obey all lawful orders of the Court.
2. Maintain weekly contact with pretrial services by [method].
3. Abide by all no-contact orders in favor of [Victim/Protected Party].
4. Submit to random drug/alcohol testing upon reasonable notice.
5. Remain at the approved residence at [Address] except for employment, schooling, medical care, or court-related obligations.
6. Surrender all firearms and dangerous weapons to law enforcement within 24 hours of release.
7. [Optional] Electronic Monitoring. Submit to GPS or alcohol-monitoring technology as directed by pretrial services.
8. Any other condition the Court deems necessary and appropriate.

VI. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

1. Events of Default. A breach of any Proposed Condition constitutes an event of default.
2. Consequences. Upon default, the Court may (a) revoke pretrial release, (b) forfeit posted bail, and/or (c) impose any additional sanctions authorized by Iowa Code ch. 811.
3. Notice & Opportunity to Be Heard. Defendant shall be afforded a prompt hearing on any alleged violation, consistent with due-process requirements.

VII. RISK ALLOCATION

[// GUIDANCE: Although indemnification and liability caps are ordinarily irrelevant in criminal practice, this section is included to mirror the mandated architecture. Feel free to remove before filing.]

The risk of non-appearance or future criminal conduct is addressed exclusively by the financial and non-financial conditions set forth in Sections III–VI. No separate indemnity or liability allocation is intended or created by this motion.

VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Because this is a criminal matter:
• Governing Law: Iowa criminal procedure.
• Forum: This Court retains exclusive jurisdiction; arbitration is not available.
• Injunctive Relief: The relief requested (pretrial release) is injunctive in nature.

[// GUIDANCE: Jury waivers are not relevant to pretrial motions.]

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Amendments. This motion may be supplemented in writing prior to hearing.
2. Severability. If any portion of this motion is deemed improper, the remainder shall continue in effect.
3. Integration. This document constitutes the complete request for bail modification; no prior oral statements are incorporated.

X. EXECUTION BLOCK

Respectfully submitted this _ day of _, 20___.
text

[ATTORNEY NAME], Attorney for Defendant
[Bar Number]
[Firm Name]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Phone] | [Email]

VERIFICATION

I, [Defendant Name], declare under penalty of perjury that I have read the foregoing motion, that the facts stated therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and that I adopt those facts as my own.

text

[DEFENDANT NAME], Defendant
Date: ______

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on the ___ day of _, 20, I electronically filed the foregoing Motion for Reduction of Bail with the Clerk of Court using the EDMS system, which will send notice of electronic filing to all counsel of record, and mailed a copy to the Defendant at the jail facility.

text

[ATTORNEY NAME]

(OPTIONAL) PROPOSED ORDER

[// GUIDANCE: Many Iowa judges prefer that counsel provide a proposed order in editable format.]

text
IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR [_] COUNTY
State of Iowa v. [Defendant Name] Case No. [_]
ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR REDUCTION OF BAIL
The Court, having reviewed Defendant’s Motion, the State’s response, and the applicable
factors set forth in Iowa Code § 811.2(2), finds good cause to grant the motion.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:
1. Bail is reduced to $[__] cash/surety OR Defendant is released on his/her own
recognizance.
2. Defendant shall comply with the Proposed Conditions listed in Section V of the Motion,
which are incorporated herein by reference.
3. Failure to comply will result in immediate revocation of release and forfeiture of any
posted bond.
4. [Set any additional monitoring or reporting requirements].

SO ORDERED this _ day of _, 20___.

Judge of the Iowa District Court