Opinion ID: 2053567
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Ineffective-Assistance-of-Counsel ClaimsContempt Order.

Text: Arne claims that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance with respect to the charge of contempt by failing to challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support a finding of contempt at the hearing before the district court, and by failing to timely file a petition for writ of certiorari. He asserts prejudice with respect to the latter claim in that a timely-filed petition would have preserved his challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence. This court has recognized a right to counsel in a hearing that might directly result in incarceration. State ex rel. Hamilton v. Snodgrass, 325 N.W.2d 740, 742 (Iowa 1982) (citing McNabb v. Osmundson, 315 N.W.2d 9, 14 (Iowa 1982)). The district court has authority to punish an act constituting contempt under Iowa Code section 665.2 by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months or by both such fine and imprisonment. Iowa Code § 665.4(2). In fact, Arne was sentenced to thirty days in the county jail for his contemptuous behavior. Thus, he may properly assert an ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim. As noted above, Arne must prove (1) his trial counsel failed in an essential duty, and (2) prejudice resulted from counsel's error. See Bugely, 562 N.W.2d at 178. We presume counsel is competent. See Thornton, 498 N.W.2d at 675. Arne claims his trial counsel did not advise him of his right to challenge the order of contempt. Arne also asserts he thought the notice of appeal would encompass the contempt order. From these allegations, it is unclear whether Arne discussed the order of contempt with trial counsel, and if so, when those conversations occurred and what the exact content of those discussions were. We think trial counsel should have an opportunity to respond to Arne's claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. Therefore, we preserve those claims for a later postconviction relief proceeding.