Opinion ID: 1789783
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Propriety of the Sanction.

Text: Maghee contends, as he did at the penalty hearing, that the court-ordered sanction amounting to a loss of 2000 days of earned time credits was too severe because it was disproportionate to the offense. For that reason, he argues we should set aside the sanction. As mentioned, Iowa Code section 610A.3(1)( a ) allows the district court to impose as a sanction for filing frivolous civil actions [t]he loss of some or all of the earned time credits acquired by the inmate. (Emphasis added.) Because this provision does not mandate a set penalty, the sanction must rest in the discretion of the district court. Cf. Harpster v. State, 569 N.W.2d 594, 598 (Iowa 1997) (In criminal cases, sentences are upheld on review unless the judge exercised his discretion on grounds or for reasons clearly untenable or unreasonable. When a sentence is not mandated, a trial court must exercise discretion in determining the sentence to be imposed. (Citations omitted.)). Maghee must therefore show an abuse of discretion to warrant our setting aside the sanction. As mentioned, Maghee's only complaint at the hearing was that the sanction was disproportionate to the offense. Maghee offered no evidence as to what sanctions are actually imposed for other offenses. So there is in this record no basis for comparison to support Maghee's contention. Moreover, the loss of earned time credits here was within the some or all authority of section 610A.3(1)( a ). Finally, Judge Huscher recognized he could have ordered forfeited all of Maghee's earned time credits but exercised his discretion not to do so. We conclude Maghee has failed to show an abuse of discretion.