Pursuant to Section 331.307, Code of Iowa, the proceedings before the court are as follows:
1. In proceedings before the court for a County infraction:
A. The County has the burden of proof that the County infraction occurred and that the violator committed the infraction. The proof shall be by clear, satisfactory, and convincing evidence.
B. The court shall ensure that the violator has received a copy of the charges and that the violator understands the charges. The violator may question all witnesses who appear for the County and produce evidence or witnesses on the violator’s behalf.
C. The violator may be represented by counsel of the violator’s own selection and at the violator’s own expense.
D. The violator may enter a plea admitting or denying the infraction.
E. The verdict of the court for a County infraction shall be “guilty” of the County infraction or “not guilty” of the County infraction.
2. If the person named in the citation is served as provided in this section and fails without good cause to appear in response to the civil citation, judgment shall be entered against the person cited.
3. A person found guilty of a County infraction is liable for the court costs and fees. If a person is found not guilty of a County infraction or the action is dismissed, the County is liable for the court costs and court fees. Where the action is disposed of without payment, or provision for assessment, of court costs, the clerk shall at once enter judgment for costs against the County.
4. Seeking a civil penalty, as authorized in this section, does not preclude a County from seeking alternative relief from the court in the same action.
5. When a violator has been found guilty of a County infraction, the court may impose a civil penalty or may grant appropriate relief to abate or halt the violation, or both, and the court may direct that payment of the civil penalty be suspended or deferred under conditions established by the court. If a violator willfully fails to pay the civil penalty or violates the terms of any other order imposed by the court, the failure is contempt.
6. A violator who has been found guilty of a County infraction may file a motion for a new trial or a motion for a reversal of a judgment as provided by law or rule of civil procedure.
7. This section does not preclude a peace officer of a County from issuing a criminal citation for a violation of a County code or regulation if criminal penalties are also provided for the violation. Each day that a violation occurs or is permitted by the violator to exist, constitutes a separate offense.
8. The issuance of a civil citation for a County infraction or the ensuing court proceedings do not provide an action for false arrest, false imprisonment, or prosecution.