Opinion ID: 2118215
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Next to be considered is trial court's peremptory dismissal of the instant action.

Text: In that regard Code § 663A.6, to the extent here relevant, provides: When a court is satisfied, on the basis of the application, the answer or motion, and the record, that the applicant is not entitled to post-conviction relief and no purpose would be served by any further proceedings, it may indicate to the parties its intention to dismiss the application and its reasons for dismissal. The applicant shall be given an opportunity to reply to the proposed dismissal. In light of the reply, or on default thereof, the court may order the application dismissed or grant leave to file an amended application or direct that the proceedings otherwise continue. Disposition on the pleadings and record is not proper if a material issue of fact exists. (Emphasis supplied). The court may grant a motion by either party for summary disposition of the application, when it appears from the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions and agreements of fact, together with any affidavits submitted, that there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.  (Emphasis supplied). It is thus evident provision is made for two methods of summary disposition. First, on the court's initiative in which event the applicant is foundationally entitled to notice of such intent and opportunity to respond thereto prior to final disposition. Second, on motion by either party. With regard to disposition by the court on its own motion, first above, this pertinent statement is found in Machibroda v. United States, 368 U.S. 487, 493-495, 82 S.Ct. 510, 513-514, 7 L.Ed.2d 473: There can be no doubt that, if the allegations contained in the petitioner's motion and affidavit are true, he is entitled to have his sentence vacated. A guilty plea, if induced by promises or threats which deprive it of the character of a voluntary act, is void. A conviction based upon such a plea is open to collateral attack. See Walker v. Johnston, 312 U.S. 275, 61 S.Ct. 574, 85 L.Ed. 830; Waley v. Johnston, 316 U.S. 101, 62 S. Ct. 964, 86 L.Ed. 1302; Shelton v. United States, 356 U.S. 26, 78 S.Ct. 563, 2 L. Ed.2d 579, reversing, 5 Cir., 246 F.2d 571. `A plea of guilty differs in purpose and effect from a mere admission or an extra-judicial confession; it is itself a conviction. Like a verdict of a jury it is conclusive. More is not required; the court has nothing to do but give judgment and sentence. Out of just consideration for persons accused of crime, courts are careful that a plea of guilty shall not be accepted unless made voluntarily after proper advice and with full understanding of the consequences.' Kercheval v. United States, 274 U.S. 220, 223, 47 S.Ct. 582, 583, 71 L.Ed. 1009. The District Court recognized that the `charges of an agreement between a former Assistant United States Attorney and the defendant are serious,' and stated that if `this Court had any doubt as to their falsity it would require a hearing.' The court determined, however, that the combination of factual inferences already mentioned `conclusively indicates the falsity of the defendant's allegations.' 184 F.Supp. 881 at 883.  We think the District Court did not proceed in conformity with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 2255, 28 U.S.C.A. § 2255, when it made findings on controverted issues of fact without notice to the petitioner and without a hearing. United States v. Hayman, 342 U.S. 205, 220, 72 S.Ct. 263, 96 L.Ed. 232. The statute requires a District Court to `grant a prompt hearing' when such a motion is filed, and to `determine the issues and make findings of fact and conclusions of law with respect thereto' unless `the motion and the files and records of the case conclusively show that the prisoner is entitled to no relief.' This was not a case where the issues raised by the motion were conclusively determined either by the motion itself or by the `files and records' in the trial court. The factual allegations contained in the petitioner's motion and affidavit, and put in issue by the affidavit filed with the Government's response, related primarily to purported occurrences outside the courtroom and upon which the record could, therefore, cast no real light. Nor were the circumstances alleged of a kind that the District Judge could completely resolve by drawing upon his own personal knowledge or recollection. (Emphasis supplied).    There will always be marginal cases, and this case is not far from the line. But the specific and detailed factual assertions of the petitioner, while improbable, cannot at this juncture be said to be incredible. If the allegations are true, the petitioner is clearly entitled to relief. Accordingly, we think the function of 28 U.S.C. § 2255, 28 U.S.C.A. § 2255 can be served in this case only by affording the hearing which its provisions require. See Townsend v. Sain, 372 U.S. 293, 312-313, 83 S.Ct. 745, 757, 9 L.Ed.2d 770; cf. Sherwood v. Nissen, 179 N.W.2d 336, 339 (Iowa). Turning now to summary disposition on motion by either party, second above, it is at once evidence the relevant language employed in Code § 663A.6 is comparable to that in rule 237(c), Ia.R.Civ.P., relative to summary judgments. See Northwestern Nat. Bank of Sioux City v. Steinbeck, 179 N.W.2d 471, 476-477 (Iowa). Additionally, Code § 663A.7 makes all our rules and statutes in civil actions applicable to postconviction review proceedings. Also, as stated in ABA Standards, Post-Conviction Remedies, Approved Draft, § 4.5, Commentary at 68-69: The quest for an expeditious way to dispose quickly and correctly of litigation is common to most procedural systems. In civil matters, efforts to make pleadings serve as the basis for effective disposition of cases have been, in the main, futile. Rather the goal has become to devise a method of disposition after the case has been fully developed by both sides, but before actual trial. This is illustrated by the summary judgment procedure of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 56.  (Emphasis supplied). And Bauer v. Stern Finance Company, 169 N.W.2d 850, 853 (Iowa), discloses our rule 237 is based on rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. So it appears rule 237, Ia.R.Civ.P. is applicable to motions by either party for summary disposition of an application for postconviction relief. In light of the foregoing reference to Bass v. Iowa Public Service Company, 184 N.W.2d 691 (Iowa), is appropriate in that we there held, motions for summary judgment must be specifically set for hearing at a time not less than ten days from date of filing. It is thus apparent trial court proceeded erroneously in peremptorily sustaining respondent State's motion to dismiss movant's application.