Section 80.37. Reimbursement of defense costs.

  1.  If a peace officer employed in any division of the department is charged with the alleged commission of public offense, based on acts or omissions within the scope of the officer’s lawful duty or authority, and the charge is dismissed or the officer is acquitted of the charge, the presiding magistrate or judge shall enter judgment awarding reimbursement to the officer for any costs incurred in defending against the charge, including but not limited to a reasonable attorney fee, if the court finds the existence of any of the following grounds:

  a.  The charge was without probable cause.

  b.  The charge was filed for malicious purposes.

  c.  The charge was unwarranted in consideration of all of the circumstances and matters of law attending the alleged offense.

  2.  The officer may apply for review of a failure or refusal to rule or an adverse ruling as to the existence of any of the above grounds. The application shall be to a district judge if the officer is seeking review of the act of a magistrate or district associate judge and it shall be to a different district judge if review is sought of an act of a district judge.

84 Acts, ch 1259, §5

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2008 Acts, ch 1032, §201