1. If an action is brought against a person based upon a good faith communication in furtherance of the right to petition or the right to free speech in direct connection with an issue of public concern: (a) The person against whom the action is brought may file a special motion to dismiss; and (b) The Attorney General or the chief legal officer or attorney of a political subdivision of this State may defend or otherwise support the person against whom the action is brought. If the Attorney General or the chief legal officer or attorney of a political subdivision has a conflict of interest in, or is otherwise disqualified from, defending or otherwise supporting the person, the Attorney General or the chief legal officer or attorney of a political subdivision may employ special counsel to defend or otherwise support the person. 2. A special motion to dismiss must be filed within 60 days after service of the complaint, which period may be extended by the court for good cause shown. 3. If a special motion to dismiss is filed pursuant to subsection 2, the court shall: (a) Determine whether the moving party has established, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the claim is based upon a good faith communication in furtherance of the right to petition or the right to free speech in direct connection with an issue of public concern; (b) If the court determines that the moving party has met the burden pursuant to paragraph (a), determine whether the plaintiff has demonstrated with prima facie evidence a probability of prevailing on the claim; (c) If the court determines that the plaintiff has established a probability of prevailing on the claim pursuant to paragraph (b), ensure that such determination will not: (1) Be admitted into evidence at any later stage of the underlying action or subsequent proceeding; or (2) Affect the burden of proof that is applied in the underlying action or subsequent proceeding; (d) Consider such evidence, written or oral, by witnesses or affidavits, as may be material in making a determination pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b); (e) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, stay discovery pending: (1) A ruling by the court on the motion; and (2) The disposition of any appeal from the ruling on the motion; and (f) Rule on the motion within 20 judicial days after the motion is served upon the plaintiff. 4. Upon a showing by a party that information necessary to meet or oppose the burden pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 3 is in the possession of another party or a third party and is not reasonably available without discovery, the court shall allow limited discovery for the purpose of ascertaining such information. 5. If the court dismisses the action pursuant to a special motion to dismiss filed pursuant to subsection 2, the dismissal operates as an adjudication upon the merits. 6. The court shall modify any deadlines pursuant to this section or any other deadlines relating to a complaint filed pursuant to this section if such modification would serve the interests of justice. 7. As used in this section: (a) Complaint means any action brought against a person based upon a good faith communication in furtherance of the right to petition or the right to free speech in direct connection with an issue of public concern, including, without limitation, a counterclaim or cross-claim. (b) Plaintiff means any person asserting a claim, including, without limitation, a counterclaim or cross-claim.
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