State ex rel. Iowa Department of Human Services v. Duckert

SCHULTZ, Justice.

In February 1989 the petitioner, the State of Iowa, acting on behalf of a minor child, commenced this paternity action against respondent Ronald Duckert. In this appeal, the State challenges the district court’s imposition of sanctions against the State under Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 80(a).1 We hold that the district court *873abused its discretion in imposing rule 80(a) sanctions against the State and reverse the ruling.

The child was born on August 18, 1979. The mother commenced a paternity action in 1980 against respondent; however, in 1984 the action was dismissed under…