Opinion ID: 1901193
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Effect of a Plaintiff Filing a Verified Account.

Text: The Code refers to a verified account only one time in chapter 631. Iowa Code § 631.10 (2007). It provides, Unless good cause to the contrary is shown, if the parties fail to appear at the time of hearing the claim shall be dismissed without prejudice by the court; if the plaintiff fails to appear but the defendant appears, the claim shall be dismissed with prejudice by the court with costs assessed to the plaintiff; and if the plaintiff appears but the defendant fails to appear, judgment may be rendered against the defendant by the court. The filing by the plaintiff of a verified account, or an instrument in writing for the payment of money with an affidavit the same is genuine, shall constitute an appearance by plaintiff for the purpose of this section. Id. Morales argues the last sentence of the statute only applies when both the plaintiff and the defendant fail to appear. We disagree with Morales's contention. Iowa Code section 631.10 explicitly states that a plaintiff who files a verified account has appeared for the purposes of this section. Id. This all-encompassing statement does not differentiate based on the appearance of the defendant. Id. The legislature designed the trial to be simple and informal. Id. § 631.11(1). The legislature intended small claims suits to be simpler, easier, and less expensive than a district court action. Barnes Beauty Coll. v. McCoy, 279 N.W.2d 258, 259 (Iowa 1979). Based on a plain reading of the statute and the legislative intent underlying small claims actions, we conclude when a plaintiff files a verified account under section 631.10, the court must consider the verified account as if the plaintiff appeared personally at the trial and deem the matters presented in the verification as evidence offered by the plaintiff. If the defendant fails to appear at the trial and the evidence presented in the verified account substantiates the plaintiff's claim, the court should enter judgment against the defendant. Iowa Code § 631.10; see also ITT Fin. Servs. v. Zimmerman, 464 N.W.2d 486, 489-90 (Iowa Ct.App.1990) (holding the original notice and verified account did not substantiate plaintiff's claim and was insufficient for the court to enter a default judgment against the plaintiffs). If the defendant does appear at the trial, the court must then exercise its function as the trier of fact by weighing the evidence contained in the verified account and any evidence produced at trial, and render its verdict upon the applicable law and upon a preponderance of the evidence. Iowa Code § 631.11(4).