Section 169.340 - Liability for escape of defendant in a civil action(1) A sheriff who suffers the escape of a prisoner, arrested or in a local correctional facility, without the consent or connivance of the party on whose behalf the arrest or imprisonment was made, is liable to an action by such party, as follows: (a) When the arrest is upon an order of arrest in a civil action, suit or proceeding; when the presence of the defendant at the return of the summons is necessary to enable the plaintiff to proceed therein, and the defendant does not appear at the time and place specified in the summons.(b) When the arrest or imprisonment is upon an order of arrest in any other civil action, suit or proceeding, or upon a surrender in exoneration of the sheriff or security release, and the defendant is not found upon an execution against the person of the defendant issued to the proper county on a judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding.(c) When the arrest is on an execution or commitment to enforce the payment of money, and the party interested is not recaptured or surrendered into custody at the expiration of the time limited for the service thereof, or legally discharged therefrom.(d) When a person is imprisoned on an execution or commitment to enforce the payment of money, and the person escapes after the time limited for the service, and is not recaptured or surrendered before an action is commenced for the escape.(2) The measure of damages in an action brought under subsection (1) of this section, is as follows: (a) For the escape mentioned in subsection (1)(a) of this section, the actual damages sustained.(b) In any other case, the amount expressed in the execution or commitment. Amended by 1973 c.740 §23; 1999 c.1051 §259; 2003 c. 576, § 392