Evidence and Documentation in Iowa Domestic Violence Cases
How survivors in Iowa can document abuse and use evidence in protective order, criminal, and family court cases.
Evidence in Iowa Domestic Violence-Related Cases
Important Disclaimer
This page offers general information about evidence in Iowa domestic violence-related situations. It is not legal advice and does not replace speaking with a lawyer in Iowa about your specific circumstances.
Common Types of Evidence
Text Messages and Messaging Apps
Text messages, messages from apps (such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or similar), and social media messages can sometimes be used to show threats, harassment, or patterns of control.
- Save screenshots that clearly show the sender, date, and time.
- Back up messages to a secure place if you can do so safely.
- Avoid editing or changing messages; keep them in their original form.
Emails
Emails may show threats, apologies, pressure, or attempts to control or monitor.
- Save important emails in a separate folder or print them if it is safe.
- Keep the full header and date information when printing or saving.
- Forward copies to a secure email account that the other person cannot access.
Photos
Photos may document injuries, property damage, broken items, or other results of an incident.
- Note the date each photo was taken, if possible.
- Include objects in the photo that show scale (for example, a common item near an injury) if you feel comfortable.
- Store photos somewhere the other person cannot easily find or delete, such as a secure cloud account or a trusted person’s device.
Videos (With Caution)
Videos may show injuries, property damage, or the condition of a scene shortly after an incident.
- Video can be very identifying and may be more easily noticed or deleted by someone monitoring your device.
- Filming the other person without their knowledge or consent may raise legal issues in some situations.
- Before recording conversations or interactions in Iowa, it is safest to speak with an Iowa lawyer about what is allowed.
Medical and Counseling Records
Records from hospitals, clinics, family doctors, therapists, or counselors may sometimes support what you say about injuries or how incidents affected you.
- Medical records may show dates you sought treatment and what you reported to the provider.
- Counseling records may contain sensitive information; sharing them in court can affect your privacy.
- Ask a lawyer about any risks in requesting or using these records before you decide.
Police Reports and Related Records
Police reports, incident summaries, and any related documents (such as 911 call logs or officer notes) may help show that law enforcement was contacted and what was reported at the time.
- If the police were called, there may be a report or at least a call record.
- Officers may also have photos, witness statements, or body camera footage.
- There are usually procedures for requesting copies; a lawyer or legal aid office in Iowa can explain options.
Keeping a Timeline of Incidents
A timeline is a simple record of what happened and when. It can help you remember details and show patterns over time.
- Use a notebook, secure document, or calendar to write down dates and brief descriptions of incidents.
- Include who was present, what happened, any injuries, and whether the police or medical services were involved.
- Update your timeline as soon as you safely can after an incident, while details are still clear.
Storing Evidence Safely
How and where evidence is stored can affect both your safety and whether it remains available if needed later.
- Consider saving copies of important items (screenshots, documents, photos) to a secure cloud account or email account that only you and trusted supporters know about.
- If it feels safer, you can give copies of evidence to a trusted friend, family member, advocate, or lawyer for safekeeping.
- Avoid leaving evidence where the other person routinely looks, such as a shared computer, shared phone, or visible notebook.
How Evidence May Be Used in Iowa Cases
Protective Order Hearings
In Iowa, evidence can be used in civil protective order hearings (sometimes called restraining orders or protective orders) to support your requests and to explain safety concerns.
- Texts, emails, and messages may help show threats, harassment, or ongoing contact.
- Photos, medical records, and police reports may help show injuries or past incidents.
- A clear timeline can help you describe patterns to the judge in an organized way.
Each judge decides what evidence to allow and how much weight to give it. An Iowa lawyer can explain what may be most helpful in your situation.
Criminal Matters
When the state brings criminal charges related to domestic violence, the prosecutor and defense may both use evidence to support their cases.
- Police records, 911 recordings, and officer testimony are often important in criminal cases.
- Medical records, photos, and witness statements may also be used.
- Digital evidence like texts or social media posts may be requested or subpoenaed.
If you are a survivor, an accused person, or a witness in a criminal case, a criminal defence or victim-rights lawyer in Iowa can explain how your evidence might be used and what choices you have.
Custody and Parenting Cases
Evidence related to domestic violence can sometimes be considered in family court when parenting time, decision-making, or safety plans for children are being discussed.
- Judges may look at patterns of behavior to understand safety concerns for children and caregivers.
- Police and medical records, texts, and a well-organized timeline of incidents may be reviewed.
- Court professionals (such as evaluators or guardians ad litem) may also consider some forms of evidence, depending on the case.
Secret Recording and Iowa Law
Recording conversations or interactions without the other person’s knowledge can raise legal issues. Depending on the situation, some recordings may not be allowed in court or could even create legal problems for the person who made them.
- Phone calls, in-person conversations, and home security cameras may all be treated differently under Iowa law.
- Even if a recording seems helpful, using it in court may have limits.
- Courts may look at how a recording was made when deciding whether to accept it as evidence.
Because the rules can be complex, it is strongly recommended that you talk to an Iowa lawyer before secretly recording any conversations or interactions.
Working With Iowa Legal Aid and Lawyers
Organizing and presenting evidence is often easier with legal support. In many parts of Iowa, legal aid organizations and private lawyers may be able to:
- Help you understand what types of evidence are most useful in your kind of case.
- Review your timeline, messages, and other records to see how they may fit into a legal strategy.
- Prepare you to answer questions about your evidence in court.
- Request police, medical, or other official records when needed.
Additional support options and directories that may list legal and advocacy resources across the United States can be found through information shared at DV.Support.
Preparing Your Evidence Safely
If it is safe to do so, you may wish to:
- Gather your evidence into categories (for example: messages, photos, medical records, police reports).
- Label each item with dates and short notes about what it shows.
- Keep a separate list of what you have, where it is stored, and who has copies.
- Discuss your list and materials with a lawyer before filing them with a court.
Every case is different. A local Iowa lawyer or legal aid office is usually the best source of guidance on how to use your evidence and how to protect your safety and privacy while doing so.