Opinion ID: 2062030
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Tampering with Records Charge

Text: Error was preserved by Walker's motion for judgment of acquittal at the close of evidence. In our review, we must determine whether the jury's verdict was based on substantial evidence as stated in Part III.A.1. Bayles, 551 N.W.2d at 608.
Iowa Code section 715A.5 defines the offense of tampering with records: A person commits an aggravated misdemeanor if, knowing that the person has no privilege to do so, the person falsifies, destroys, removes, or conceals a writing or record, with the intent to deceive or injure anyone or to conceal any wrongdoing. Walker was charged with knowingly falsifying the proof of service on the subpoena. He claims the evidence presented at trial is insufficient to prove the elements of this crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Specifically, Walker argues that the State did not present sufficient evidence to show that he had the intent to deceive or injure anyone or to conceal any wrongdoing. He argues that any deceit or injury resulting from the false statement on the proof of service was unintentional and that, therefore, he lacked the requisite mental state to commit the offense. He contends that he planned to personally serve Bearden after leaving the legal services office; however, he was unable to find Bearden and thus resorted to sending the subpoena to school with his girlfriend's daughter for her to deliver. He also argues that the meaning of the word falsify does not include making an untrue statement, but is limited to actions such as changing, altering, mutilating or tampering with a writing or record.
Section 715A.5 requires a showing of intent to deceive or injure or to conceal a wrongdoing. Walker argues that because he planned to serve Bearden immediately after obtaining the notarization, there was no intent to deceive or injure. We note that specific intent may be shown by circumstantial evidence and the reasonable inferences drawn from that evidence. State v. Nance, 533 N.W.2d 557, 562 (Iowa 1995). Specific intent is seldom capable of direct proof. State v. Rademacher, 433 N.W.2d 754, 758 (Iowa 1988). The fact that Walker admittedly provided false information on the proof of service is evidence of his intent to deceive. Had he not attested to the language in the proof of service that he had already served Bearden, De Krey likely would not have notarized the document. Iowa law requires that a subpoena served by someone other than a sheriff be notarized. The jury could have inferred Walker's intent to deceive based on his need to have the document notarized before his trial the following day. This inference is supported by evidence regarding Walker's experience with legal matters. De Krey testified that Walker knew the legal significance of having a document notarized; she had personally notarized close to one hundred documents for him. Walker's intent to deceive De Krey can also be inferred from his failure to rectify the situation when the conversation regarding service took place after De Krey had notarized the document. Walker's statements and actions also show his intent to deceive the court by submitting a subpoena with false information. Evidence of this intent is bolstered by testimony regarding Walker's colloquy with Judge Van Marel during the misdemeanor trial. When questioned about whether Bearden had been served with a subpoena, Walker presented the falsified return of service to the court in an attempt to mislead it into believing he had personally served Bearden. His actions and statements at that time evince an intent to attempt to deceive the court. Although Walker claims he did not intend to deceive anyone, we conclude that the only unintended result of his actions was his bad fortune of getting caught.
The legislature did not define the term falsifies. Therefore, we assume the legislature intended the word to have its common and ordinary meaning. State v. Bush, 518 N.W.2d 778, 780 (Iowa 1994). In State v. Romeo, 542 N.W.2d 543, 548 (Iowa 1996), our only prior case interpreting section 715A.5, we looked to dictionary definitions to determine the meaning of the word. A standard dictionary defines falsify as: to prove to be false; to prove false so as legally to avoid, defeat, or rectify; to make false by mutilation or addition: tamper with; counterfeit, forge, adulterate. Webster's Third New International Dictionary 820 (unabr. ed.1993). Black's Law Dictionary provides a similar definition: To counterfeit or forge; to make something false; to give a false appearance to anything ...; to tamper with, as to falsify a record or document. Black's Law Dictionary 603 (6th ed.1990). We have previously noted that Walker's statement on the proof of service that he had already personally served Bearden was false. This was shown by the testimony of De Krey, who testified that Walker admitted before he left the office that he had not yet served Bearden, and by Bearden, who testified he did not receive the document until September 14, the day after the date of service found on the proof of service signed by Walker. Furthermore, Bearden's testimony showed that Walker himself did not serve the subpoena, as alleged in the proof of service. These falsities made the proof of service a false document. Walker's actions in rendering the proof of service a false document satisfy the ordinary and legal definitions of falsify. In light of the evidence and testimony presented, we conclude there was substantial evidence available for the jury to find that Walker's actions fell within the realm of conduct prohibited by section 715A.5.