Hajek v. Iowa State Board of Parole

HARRIS, Justice.

The term “prior conviction” has been the subject of interpretation in a number of our cases under the recidivism statute (now Iowa Code section 902.8 (1987)). The term also appears in Iowa Code section 906.5 1 which limits parole possibilities for persons serving a criminal sentence. The question here is whether the term should have the same meaning in the parole provision as we have given it under the recidivism statute. We think the legislature intended for the term to be interpreted the same in both statutes.

Defendant Hajek was charged with a robbery which took place in…