Legal Question in Criminal Law in Iowa

Re: Stalking charges

In order for me to answer your questions properly I need to know more facts than you have disclosed. However, to briefly answer them in order: 1) Yes. The victim does not file charges in a criminal case, they are filed by the county attorney after the police have investigated the matter. 2)Generally previous criminal activity is not introduced to the jury at trial unless it is offered to prove pattern and practice. It can also be used when determining what level to charge an offense at, and any juror who hasn't been sleeping can pretty much figure most of this out on their own. Obviously, if the case is tried to the court the judge will be aware of this information. 3)Yes. Same reasons as number 1. 4) The prosecuting attorney is not the person who decides bond. That is set by the court in a hearing. Having no idea of what a suicide watch consists of, my take on that would be, the jailers can watch a prisoner as much as they like without intruding on his or her rights.