Prosecutor Misconduct No. 1677624814 - 1218499041

Susan Scizenski-Cole

Date of Offense

February 2, 2023

Offense(s)

Reporting Authority

This complaint has been forwarded to the Iowa State Bar Association

Statement

I am a victim of domestic violence as a result a NCO was put in place against my husband. During the NCO I reported to law enforcement and co attorney several violations of NCO such as contact, that's and an assault . After reporting to police I got no response so brought it to co attorney attention however still no charges came about. I sent several emails inquiring as to why the criminal NCO that the court imposed was not being enforced but never received a response . The order was issued in June of 22. On dec 28 2022 I petitioned the court to have order stopped I could communicate with spouse about business matters as I had planned on filing for divorce, and the order wasn't being enforced . My request was denied because co attorney stated it wouldn't be safe for me. I emailed co attorney and stated my frustration and asked for an explanation of why my reports of threats and an assault which I might add resulted in my nose being broken all while thre was still an active criminal NCO in place but again received no response . My husband was sentenced in Feb 2023 and was offered the deal to plead guilty to simple misdemeanor assault from original charge of serious misdameanor domestic assault and a 5 ur NCO was put in place. I contacted co attorney to see why an order like that was issued and rexieved response via email that my husband (the defendant) requested it and she agreed to it. I called co attorney to discuss matter further as I found it confusing why a defendant would request an extension and co attorney stated my husband didn't want me to be able to contact him. I was outraged that such an extreme order could be issued on those grounds since I hbmt committed any crimes why he would be able to request and receive such an order. I feel my husband is using court to continue to be emtionally abusive and refuses to cooperate on anything as to divorce is concerned and this was a way out if his responsibilities . And I feel conattotney agreed to it for personal reasons due to not appreciating me questioning her choices and making my frustration be known. If order was for my protection because he was such a threat it doesn't seem reasonable she didn't follow through with the domestic assault charges and giving him the least charge possible ? I feel as though my rights are being violated since there's the possibility of being arrested myself for violation of order if I attempt to contact spouse to discuss important issues like selling our home before it's forclosed on which is going to result in over $30000 being lost. It was also during that conversation I again asked her why nothing was ever done about my reports I made along with supporting text messages and was informed their was nothing criminal about my reports . I asked if she could explain how violation of a NCO, or threats or assault wasn't a criminal matter. She replied that she didn't know what I was talking about even though I have numerous emails stating otherwise. This made me believe she hasn't even looked at them. As a victim this has been extremely hard and to have a serious assault happen and to be dismissed or made to feel like my abuser was the victim has had a serious negative impact on me. I'm not sure if all the actions of conattotney have been legal but I do feel as though they have been negleant and unethical.

Definition of Offense(s)

Prosecutorial misconduct refers to actions by a prosecutor that are unethical, illegal, or violate the rights of a defendant.