Iowa Criminal Laws: Felony and Misdemeanor Classes, Theft, Self-Defense and Bail

Iowa grades felonies as class A, B, C and D. Class A: commitment to the custody of the department of corrections for the rest of the defendant's life, with no parole unless the governor commutes the sentence (different options apply to first-degree murder committed under age eighteen). Unless a statute prescribes otherwise: class B felon, confinement for no more than twenty-five years; class C felon, no more than ten years plus a fine of at least $1,370 but not more than $13,660; class D felon, no more than five years plus a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245. An habitual offender may be confined for no more than fifteen years. Surcharges are added on top of these fines.

Iowa has simple, serious and aggravated misdemeanors. Simple misdemeanor: fine of at least $105 but not more than $855, and the court may order up to thirty days in jail instead of or in addition to the fine. Serious misdemeanor: fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560, and the court may also order up to one year. Aggravated misdemeanor (where no specific penalty is provided): up to two years and a fine of at least $855 but not more than $8,540. Surcharges are added on top of these fines.

Theft of property exceeding $1,500 (but not exceeding $10,000) in value, or theft of a motor vehicle not exceeding $10,000, is theft in the second degree, a class D felony. Theft exceeding $10,000, or theft from the person of another or from a building destroyed or left unoccupied because of disaster, riot, bombing or battle, is theft in the first degree, a class C felony. Lower tiers: over $750 to $1,500 is third degree (aggravated misdemeanor; also any theft of $750 or less by a person twice before convicted of theft); over $300 to $750 is fourth degree (serious misdemeanor); $300 or less is fifth degree (simple misdemeanor).

"A person who is not engaged in illegal activity has no duty to retreat from any place where the person is lawfully present before using force as specified in this chapter." Reasonable force can include deadly force if it is reasonable to believe such force is necessary to avoid injury or risk to one's life or safety or that of another, and a person may be wrong about the danger as long as there is a reasonable basis for the belief and the person acts reasonably in response.

A person is presumed to reasonably believe deadly force is necessary to avoid injury or risk to life or safety when the person against whom force is used is unlawfully entering by force or stealth (or has so entered and remains in) the dwelling, place of business or employment, or occupied vehicle of the person using force, or is unlawfully removing or attempting to remove another person against their will from such a place, and the person using force knows or has reason to believe this is occurring. The presumption does not apply if the person using force is engaged in a criminal offense or using the place to further one; the person being removed is a child or grandchild or in the lawful custody of the person against whom force is used; the person against whom force is used is a peace officer lawfully performing official duties; or that person has a right to be in or lawfully resides in the place and no protective or no-contact order is in effect. A person justified in using reasonable force against an aggressor in defense of oneself, another person or property is immune from criminal or civil liability for all damages incurred by the aggressor.

Murder in the first or second degree may be prosecuted at any time after the death of the victim. Sexual abuse in the first, second or third degree committed on or with a person under eighteen may be charged at any time; other first- to third-degree sexual abuse must be charged within ten years (or within three years after the suspect is identified by DNA profile, whichever is later). Except for these and other listed exceptions, an indictment or information for a felony or aggravated or serious misdemeanor must be found within three years after its commission. A simple misdemeanor or municipal or county ordinance violation must be prosecuted within one year.

All defendants are bailable before and after conviction, by sufficient surety, or subject to release on conditions or their own recognizance, except listed defendants (for example, those charged with first-degree murder of a peace officer, and certain defendants awaiting sentencing or appealing convictions for class A felonies, forcible felonies and certain drug felonies). Bailable defendants must be released on personal recognizance or an unsecured appearance bond unless the magistrate determines that will not reasonably assure appearance or will jeopardize another person's safety; the magistrate then imposes the first of the listed conditions that gives that assurance (supervised custody; travel, association or residence limits; an appearance bond with a cash deposit of up to ten percent; a bail bond with surety or cash; or other conditions such as no-contact). Factors include the nature of the offense, family ties, employment, financial resources, character and mental condition, length of residence, record of convictions, and record of appearance. Defendants must be told of the right to have release conditions reviewed, and an indigent defendant is appointed counsel for that review.

A person is entitled to a court-appointed attorney if the person's income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, unless the court determines the person can pay, considering income, assets subject to execution and the seriousness of the charge. A person with income above 125% but at or below 200% is entitled only if the court makes a written finding that not appointing counsel would cause substantial hardship; above 200%, only if charged with a felony and the court finds substantial hardship. The determination is made on an affidavit of financial status (form set by rule of the state public defender), signed under penalty of perjury and submitted at the initial appearance or when counsel is requested. A person granted an appointed attorney must reimburse the state for the total cost of legal assistance.

Sexual abuse in the third degree (a class C felony) includes a sex act between persons not cohabiting as husband and wife where "the other person is fourteen or fifteen years of age" and the person is a member of the same household, is related by blood or affinity to the fourth degree, is in a position of authority and uses it to coerce, or "is four or more years older than the other person."

Possessing marijuana without a valid prescription or other authorization under the controlled substances chapter is a crime in Iowa. First offense: imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both. Second offense: the serious-misdemeanor penalty in § 903.1(1)(b). Third or later offense: aggravated misdemeanor. Possession, use and administration of cannabidiol are allowed when done in accordance with Iowa's medical cannabidiol law, chapter 124E.

Iowa defines assault broadly: an act meant to cause pain or injury, an act meant to cause insulting or offensive physical contact, an act meant to put someone in fear of such contact (with the apparent ability to carry it out), or pointing a firearm or displaying a dangerous weapon at someone in a threatening way. A basic assault with no injury is a simple misdemeanor (fine of at least $105 but not more than $855, and up to thirty days in jail). Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness is a serious misdemeanor (fine of $430 to $2,560 and up to one year). Assault with intent to inflict serious injury, or using or displaying a dangerous weapon, is an aggravated misdemeanor (up to two years). Assault that causes serious injury is a class "D" felony (up to five years), and intentionally causing serious injury is charged as willful injury, a class "C" felony (up to ten years).

Iowa has no separate crime called battery. Its assault statute already covers an act intended to result in physical contact that will be insulting or offensive, or intended to cause pain or injury, so an unwanted touching or striking is charged as assault and graded under the assault penalty section. Assault against a family or household member is charged as domestic abuse assault (see domestic violence).

An assault that is domestic abuse (an assault between family or household members or the other relationships listed in § 236.2) is charged as domestic abuse assault. A first offense is a simple misdemeanor; a serious misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury or mental illness; and an aggravated misdemeanor if committed with intent to cause serious injury, with a dangerous weapon, or by choking (impeding breathing or blood circulation by pressure on the throat or neck or blocking the nose or mouth). Choking that causes bodily injury is a class "D" felony, as is a weapon or choking assault against a person known to be pregnant. A second offense moves up one level, and a third or later domestic abuse assault is a class "D" felony. A person convicted of a first or second offense must serve at least two days in jail and attend a batterers' treatment program.

Iowa has no separate shoplifting crime; taking store merchandise is charged as theft, and hiding unpurchased merchandise is evidence of intent to steal. Theft of property worth $300 or less is theft in the fifth degree, a simple misdemeanor (fine of $105 to $855 and up to thirty days in jail); more than $300 up to $750 is fourth degree, a serious misdemeanor. Theft of $750 or less becomes theft in the third degree, an aggravated misdemeanor (up to two years), when the person has twice before been convicted of theft. Separately, a merchant can sue a shoplifter for return of the goods or their price, any loss in value, and the greater of $50 or actual recovery costs, not to exceed $200; no criminal conviction is required, and parents of a minor can be liable.

Burglary is entering (or staying in after closing or after permission ends, or breaking into) an occupied structure not open to the public with intent to commit a felony, assault or theft inside. First-degree burglary (people present and the burglar has an explosive or dangerous weapon, causes bodily injury, or commits sexual abuse) is a class "B" felony (up to 25 years); second-degree burglary is a class "C" felony (up to ten years); all other burglary is third degree, a class "D" felony (up to five years), except that a first burglary of an unoccupied motor vehicle or boat is an aggravated misdemeanor. Robbery is committing an assault, threatening or putting someone in fear of immediate serious injury, or threatening an immediate forcible felony, in order to commit a theft or escape. Robbery while purposely inflicting or attempting serious injury, or while armed with a dangerous weapon, is first-degree robbery, a class "B" felony; all other robbery is second degree, a class "C" felony.

Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Iowa: intentionally damaging, defacing, altering or destroying property without the right to do so (which covers graffiti). It is graded by the cost to repair or replace: $300 or less is fifth degree, a simple misdemeanor; more than $300 up to $750 is fourth degree, a serious misdemeanor; more than $750 up to $1,500 is third degree, an aggravated misdemeanor; more than $1,500 up to $10,000 is second degree, a class "D" felony; and more than $10,000 is first degree, a class "C" felony. Damaging any publicly owned property, including a monument or statue, is second degree regardless of amount, and acts that substantially interrupt utility or common-carrier service are first degree.

Trespass includes entering property without permission intending to commit a crime or to damage or harass, staying on property after being told to leave or after a no-entry notice is posted at the main entrance, interfering with others' lawful use of property, and peeping into a dwelling window where a person expects privacy. Knowingly trespassing is a simple misdemeanor handled as a scheduled violation, and police may arrest someone who refuses to leave after a citation. Trespass that injures a person or causes more than $300 in damage is a serious misdemeanor, as is peeping into a dwelling. Trespass on enclosed public utility property is a class "D" felony, and trespass with intent to commit a hate crime is a serious or aggravated misdemeanor.

Knowingly possessing a controlled substance other than marijuana without a valid prescription is a serious misdemeanor for a first offense (fine of $430 to $2,560 and up to one year). With one prior drug conviction it is an aggravated misdemeanor (up to two years), and with two or more prior drug convictions it is a class "D" felony (up to five years). The court may suspend the sentence and order probation with drug treatment or education, and for methamphetamine or amphetamine the court must order at least forty-eight hours in jail, which may be suspended with random drug testing on probation. Possessing drug paraphernalia is a simple misdemeanor. Iowa's general deferred judgment law lets a court, with the defendant's consent, defer judgment and place a first-time defendant on probation, subject to listed exclusions.

A driver involved in a crash must stop, give name, address and registration, show a license on request, and give reasonable help to anyone hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash that damaged only an attended vehicle is a simple misdemeanor handled as a scheduled violation. Leaving a crash with an injury is a serious misdemeanor; with a serious injury it is an aggravated misdemeanor, or a class "D" felony if the driver knew or had reason to believe the driver's vehicle caused the crash. Leaving a fatal crash is a class "D" felony, or a class "C" felony if the driver knew or had reason to believe the driver's vehicle caused the death. The license of anyone convicted of leaving an injury or death crash must be revoked.

Reckless driving is driving any vehicle in a way that shows a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. It is a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855, and the court may order up to thirty days in jail.

Harassment includes communicating with someone by phone, writing or electronic communication without legitimate purpose, with intent to intimidate, annoy or alarm, as well as purposeful in-person contact meant to threaten, false police reports about someone, and posting nude or sexual images of a person without consent. Harassment is a simple misdemeanor (third degree); it is a serious misdemeanor (second degree) when it involves a threat of bodily injury or two prior convictions in ten years, and an aggravated misdemeanor (first degree) when it involves a threat of a forcible felony, nonconsensual sexual images, or three or more prior convictions in ten years. Stalking is a purposeful course of conduct (following, watching or tracking someone by technology, or repeated threats) that would make a reasonable person fear injury or death; a first offense is an aggravated misdemeanor and a second is a class "D" felony. Stalking is a class "C" felony if the stalker violates a protective or no-contact order, has a dangerous weapon, targets someone under 18, uses a technological device such as a phone or GPS, or has two prior offenses.

Knowingly resisting or obstructing a peace officer, jailer, fire fighter or other listed official doing a lawful duty is called interference with official acts. It is a simple misdemeanor with a fine of at least $250; a serious misdemeanor if it results in bodily injury; an aggravated misdemeanor if it results in serious injury or the person inflicts bodily injury; and a class "D" felony if the person inflicts or attempts serious injury, displays a dangerous weapon or is armed with a firearm. Willfully failing to stop for, or trying to elude, a police vehicle signaling with lights and siren is a serious misdemeanor (aggravated misdemeanor for a repeat). Eluding while going 25 mph or more over the speed limit is a class "D" felony, or a class "C" felony with a prior eluding violation.

A person released before trial who willfully fails to appear in court as required loses any bail or security posted and commits a crime. If the person was released on a felony charge, or while awaiting sentencing or on appeal after conviction of any offense, failure to appear is a class "D" felony (up to five years). If the person was released before trial on a charge that is not a felony, it is a serious misdemeanor (up to one year and a $430 to $2,560 fine). A material witness who fails to appear commits a simple misdemeanor, and the court may also punish for contempt.

A probation officer who has probable cause to believe a person violated probation proceeds by arrest or summons, and the judge or magistrate who placed the person on probation (or another with jurisdiction) decides the case; the initial appearance, probable cause hearing and revocation hearing may be combined if the person is not prejudiced. If the violation is established, the court may continue probation with or without changed conditions; hold the person in contempt and impose a jail term while continuing probation; place the person in a violator facility; extend probation for up to one year; or revoke probation and require the person to serve the sentence imposed or any lesser sentence. If sentencing had been deferred, the court may impose any sentence that could originally have been imposed.

Iowa's main obstruction-of-justice crime is knowingly destroying, hiding or altering evidence, providing false evidence or information, or getting a witness to leave the state, hide or skip a subpoena, with intent to prevent someone's arrest or obstruct a prosecution or defense; it is an aggravated misdemeanor (up to two years). Tampering with a witness, juror or person who reported a crime (through bribery, threats, restraint, harassment, assault or any other offense, to influence testimony or in retaliation) is punished one degree higher than the underlying offense, up to a class "C" felony and never lower than an aggravated misdemeanor. Resisting or obstructing a peace officer or other listed official is interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor with a fine of at least $250, rising to a felony with serious injury or a weapon.

Perjury is knowingly making a false statement of material fact, or falsely denying knowledge of material facts, while under oath or affirmation in any proceeding where sworn statements are required or authorized by law. It is a class "D" felony, punishable by up to five years and a fine of $1,025 to $10,245. For contradictory sworn statements, it is enough to prove one must be false and the person knew it. A person is not guilty if they retract the false statement in the same proceeding before it has substantially affected the proceeding.

Being intoxicated in a public place is a crime in Iowa, as is pretending to be intoxicated in public, drinking on public streets or highways, and drinking liquor in a public place other than licensed premises. Each is a simple misdemeanor (fine of $105 to $855 and up to 30 days). A person arrested for public intoxication must be told they may get a chemical test at their own expense. Two years after conviction, a person with no other criminal convictions (other than local traffic or simple misdemeanor traffic violations) during that time may petition, and the conviction shall be expunged.

Disorderly conduct covers fighting or violent behavior in public, loud and raucous noise near a home or public building that intentionally or recklessly causes unreasonable distress, abusive epithets or threatening gestures likely to provoke violence, disrupting a lawful meeting, false reports of fire or catastrophe, and certain disrespectful uses of the U.S. flag; these are simple misdemeanors. Obstructing a street, sidewalk or highway to block its lawful use is a serious misdemeanor; it becomes an aggravated misdemeanor if it blocks a controlled-access highway, damages property or occurs during an unlawful assembly, a class "D" felony if it occurs during a riot or causes bodily injury, and a class "C" felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.

Indecent exposure is exposing one's genitals or pubic area to someone other than a spouse, or committing a sex act in view of a third person, to arouse or satisfy sexual desire, when the person knows or reasonably should know the viewer finds it offensive. It is a serious misdemeanor (up to one year). Masturbating in public in the presence of another is also a serious misdemeanor, and an aggravated misdemeanor if done in the presence of a child. An indecent exposure conviction is a tier I sex offense under Iowa's sex-offender registry law.

Selling or offering to sell one's services as a partner in a sex act is prostitution, an aggravated misdemeanor (up to two years); for a person under 18 the county attorney may instead refer the case for a child-in-need-of-assistance petition. Buying or offering to buy sex is also an aggravated misdemeanor, but it is a class "D" felony (up to five years) if the person sold is under 18 or reasonably believed to be under 18, including an officer posing as a minor. Prostitution is not legal anywhere in Iowa.

Iowa allows gambling only as licensed under its gambling laws: casino gambling games on licensed excursion gambling boats, gambling structures and racetrack enclosures, and sports wagering, all regulated by the state racing and gaming commission; pari-mutuel wagering; internet fantasy sports contests; social and charitable gambling; and the Iowa Lottery. Licensed sports wagering may be done in person or through an advance deposit sports wagering account by an eligible person at least 21 who is located in Iowa. Other betting or bookmaking is illegal gaming, graded by the amount involved and repeat offenses: $100 or less is a serious misdemeanor for a first offense (rising to a class "C" felony on a fourth); over $100 to $500 is an aggravated misdemeanor for a first offense; over $500 to $5,000 is a class "D" felony; and over $5,000 is a class "C" felony.

Iowa charges embezzlement as theft: misappropriating property held in trust, or another's property in one's possession or control, by using or disposing of it in a way inconsistent with the trust or the owner's rights. It is graded like other theft by value: over $10,000 is first-degree theft, a class "C" felony (up to ten years); over $1,500 to $10,000 is second degree, a class "D" felony (up to five years); over $750 to $1,500 is third degree, an aggravated misdemeanor; over $300 to $750 is fourth degree, a serious misdemeanor; and $300 or less is fifth degree, a simple misdemeanor.

Identity theft is fraudulently using, or trying to use, another person's identifying information (such as name, Social Security number, account or credit card numbers) to obtain credit, property, services or another benefit. It is an aggravated misdemeanor if the value is $1,500 or less, a class "D" felony if over $1,500 up to $10,000, and a class "C" felony if over $10,000. Using a credit card knowing it is stolen, forged, revoked or otherwise unauthorized is graded by the same value tiers: aggravated misdemeanor at $1,500 or less, class "D" felony over $1,500 to $10,000, and class "C" felony over $10,000.

Forgery is, with intent to defraud or injure, altering someone's writing without permission, making or issuing a writing that falsely appears to be someone else's act or to be dated or numbered differently, or passing (uttering) or possessing a writing known to be forged. It is a class "D" felony (up to five years) when the writing is or appears to be money, securities, stamps or other government-issued instruments, stock or bonds, a check or draft, immigration or work-authorization documents, or a driver's license, ID card, birth certificate or occupational license; forging a will, deed, contract, release or other legal or commercial document is an aggravated misdemeanor. Writing a check knowing it will not be paid and getting property or services for it is theft, graded by value.

Extortion is threatening, to get anything of value, to physically injure someone or commit a crime, accuse someone of a crime, expose someone to hatred, contempt or ridicule, harm someone's credit or reputation, take or withhold official action, give or withhold testimony, or wrongfully damage property. Extortion is a class "D" felony (up to five years and a fine of $1,025 to $10,245). It is a defense (except for threats to commit a crime) that the person reasonably believed they had a right to make the threat to recover property or a debt they had a good-faith claim to. A person convicted of extortion must register as a sex offender if the offense is found to have been sexually motivated.

First-degree murder is a willful, deliberate and premeditated killing, or a killing while committing a forcible felony (felony murder), escaping custody, killing a peace officer, correctional officer, public employee or hostage while imprisoned, killing a child during child endangerment or assault with extreme indifference to human life, or killing during an act of terrorism. It is a class A felony: life in prison with no parole unless the governor commutes the sentence (different rules apply to offenders under 18). Every other murder is second-degree murder, a class B felony with a maximum of fifty years (instead of the usual 25). Iowa has no third-degree murder.

Voluntary manslaughter - a killing that would otherwise be murder but is done solely in sudden, violent and irresistible passion from serious provocation, with no cooling-off interval - is a class C felony (up to ten years and a $1,370-$13,660 fine). Involuntary manslaughter is a class D felony (up to five years) when an unintentional death is caused by a public offense other than a forcible felony or escape, and an aggravated misdemeanor (up to two years) when caused by an act likely to cause death or serious injury. Iowa's 'homicide by vehicle' is a class B felony (up to 25 years) when caused by drunk or drugged driving, with a six-year license revocation; a class C felony when caused by reckless driving (using an electronic device while driving is prima facie evidence of recklessness), eluding police, or speeding 25+ mph over the limit; and a class D felony when caused by drag racing.

A parent, guardian, custodian or household member commits child endangerment by, among other things, knowingly creating a substantial risk to a child's physical, mental or emotional health or safety, using unreasonable force or cruelty, willfully depriving the child of food, shelter, health care or supervision, knowingly allowing continued abuse, abandoning the child, or exposing the child to meth manufacture. It is a class B felony (up to fifty years) if the child dies, a class C felony if it causes serious injury, a class D felony if it causes bodily injury (or involves meth exposure, or a registered child sex offender having control of a minor), and an aggravated misdemeanor otherwise. Contributing to the delinquency of a minor - such as encouraging a child under 18 to commit a delinquent act or break any law - is a simple misdemeanor.

Arson is starting a fire or explosion, or placing burning material or an incendiary device, in or near property intending to damage it or knowing it will probably be damaged, whether or not damage results. First-degree arson - when people can reasonably be expected to be in or near the property, or a firefighter dies - is a class B felony (up to 25 years). Second-degree arson - a building, structure, real property, standing crops, or personal property worth more than $750 - is a class C felony (up to ten years). All other arson is third-degree, an aggravated misdemeanor (up to two years). Fires caused while making illegal drugs also count as arson.

Animal abuse (intentionally, knowingly or recklessly injuring or killing an animal by force, violence or poisoning) is a serious misdemeanor if it causes injury and an aggravated misdemeanor if it causes serious injury or death. Animal neglect by an owner who confines an animal without adequate food, water, sanitation, shelter, grooming or needed vet care is a simple misdemeanor, a serious misdemeanor if it injures the animal, and an aggravated misdemeanor if it causes serious injury or death. Animal torture (inflicting severe and prolonged or repeated pain causing serious injury or death) is an aggravated misdemeanor. Abuse or neglect causing serious injury or death, and torture, become class D felonies (up to five years) for a person with a prior conviction for animal abuse, neglect, torture, bestiality, animal fighting or injuring a police dog. Courts must order a psychological evaluation and treatment for juveniles and for adults convicted of the aggravated-misdemeanor or felony offenses. The statutes read do not set an ownership ban.

Yes. Iowa treats sharing intimate images without consent as first-degree harassment: disseminating, publishing, distributing or posting a photo or video showing another person nude or partly nude or engaged in a sex act, with intent to intimidate, annoy or alarm and without that person's consent, is an aggravated misdemeanor (up to two years in prison). The law also covers images created or altered to depict a recognizable person (deepfakes). An adult convicted must register as a sex offender; a juvenile does not. Exceptions cover voluntary exposure in public or commercial settings, public-interest disclosures, and online platforms hosting others' content. The statute's civil-action subsection applies only to false police reports, not to image sharing.

Iowa has no separate criminal cyberbullying offense. Its harassment law covers communicating by phone, writing or electronic communication with intent to intimidate, annoy or alarm, without legitimate purpose and in a way likely to cause annoyance or harm: third-degree harassment is a simple misdemeanor, second-degree (a threat of bodily injury, or two prior convictions in ten years) a serious misdemeanor, and first-degree (a threat of a forcible felony, or three priors) an aggravated misdemeanor. Separately, Iowa's school anti-bullying law requires schools to adopt policies against harassment and bullying, including electronic bullying; that law itself is a school-policy law, not a criminal statute.

Iowa has no statute specifically addressing teens who send or keep nude images of themselves. Since 2025, a person under 18 who knowingly distributes obscene material to another minor commits a serious misdemeanor. Other sexual images of minors fall under Iowa's sexual exploitation of a minor law, and cases involving juveniles are handled in juvenile court.

Money laundering - knowingly transporting, receiving or transacting in proceeds of unlawful activity, making property available to further specified unlawful activity, or conducting transactions to conceal the source of proceeds or avoid reporting requirements - is a class C felony, punishable by up to ten years and a fine of up to $10,000 or twice the value of the property, whichever is greater. Running a business of laundering transactions is a class D felony (up to five years, fine up to $7,500 or twice the value). Iowa does not grade the crime by dollar amount; violators also face a civil penalty of three times the value of the property, and the property is subject to forfeiture.

Knowingly engaging in human trafficking (labor or sex) is a class B felony (up to 25 years), including trafficking by restraint, threats to abuse legal process, confiscating ID documents, soliciting or benefiting from the victim's services, or profiting from participation. It is a class A felony (life in prison) when the victim is under 18, and whenever it involves causing or threatening serious physical injury. Providing forged professional licenses or ID to force labor is a class D felony (class B if the victim is a minor). Mistake about the victim's age is no defense, and deferred judgments are not available.

Pedestrians must obey traffic-control signals at intersections. A pedestrian crossing anywhere other than a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield to all vehicles (and cities may restrict such crossings by ordinance); where signals operate at a place that is not an intersection, pedestrians may cross only in a marked crosswalk. Drivers must still use due care to avoid pedestrians. Pedestrian violations are scheduled violations with a $35 fine.

Both drivers and passengers are barred from having an open or unsealed container of alcohol, or a beverage containing any THC, in the passenger area (including the glove box) of a motor vehicle on a public street or highway; open containers may be carried in the trunk, or behind the last upright seat if there is no trunk. Passengers in vehicles for hire and in the living quarters of motor homes and travel trailers are exempt. A violation is a simple misdemeanor with a $260 scheduled fine. A person under 21 caught with alcohol in the vehicle is charged under the underage-possession law.

People under 21 may not buy, try to buy, drink or possess alcohol (exceptions include drinking at home with a parent's knowledge and consent). For an 18- to 20-year-old, a first offense is a simple misdemeanor with a $260 scheduled fine; a second is a $500 fine plus a choice between a substance-use evaluation or a license suspension of up to one year; a third or later is a $500 fine and a suspension of up to one year. Violations by those under 18 go to juvenile court. Using a fake or altered driver's license or ID to buy alcohol is a simple misdemeanor with a $260 scheduled fine and is reported to the DOT for license action.

Driving while one's license is suspended, revoked, denied or canceled is a simple misdemeanor with a mandatory fine of $250 to $1,500 that cannot be suspended, and the DOT extends the suspension or revocation by a like period or one year, whichever is shorter. Driving while the license is suspended or revoked for an OWI (drunk driving) violation is a serious misdemeanor with a mandatory $1,000 fine, and the suspension is extended by a like period. Driving a commercial vehicle while disqualified is a serious misdemeanor.

Driving on a highway without a valid driver's license for the vehicle is a scheduled violation with a $260 fine; driving with an expired license is a $70 fine. Drivers must carry their license and show it on demand, but the charge is dismissed if the driver shows the clerk of court a license that was valid at the time before the court date (court costs are still assessed). Driving a commercial vehicle without the proper license is a simple misdemeanor.

Ballistic knives (with a detachable blade propelled by a spring, elastic or compressed gas) are 'offensive weapons,' and knowingly possessing one without authorization is a class D felony (up to five years). Iowa law lists daggers, stilettos, switchblade knives and knives with blades over five inches as 'dangerous weapons'; carrying a dangerous weapon is a crime mainly when it is used in committing a crime (an aggravated misdemeanor). Offenses involving an offensive weapon within 1,000 feet of a school or in a public park carry double the maximum fine.

Adults may buy and use consumer fireworks (first- and second-class consumer fireworks) in Iowa; selling them to anyone under 18, or a person under 18 buying them, is a simple misdemeanor with a fine of at least $250. Consumer fireworks may be used only June 1 - July 8 and December 10 - January 3, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (until 11 p.m. on July 4 and the weekends before and after it, until 12:30 a.m. on New Year's Eve night, and until 11 p.m. on the weekends around December 31), and only on your own property or property whose owner consents; violations are simple misdemeanors with no jail. Cities and counties may prohibit or limit use by ordinance, and violating such a ban is a simple misdemeanor with a fine of at least $250. Display fireworks require a city or county permit.

Kidnapping is confining a person or moving them from one place to another without authority or consent, with intent to hold them for ransom, use them as a shield or hostage, seriously injure or sexually abuse them, secretly confine them, or interfere with a government function. First-degree kidnapping (the victim suffers serious injury or is intentionally tortured or sexually abused) is a class A felony: life in prison without parole unless the governor commutes the sentence. Second-degree kidnapping (for ransom, while armed with a dangerous weapon, or with a victim under 18, other than a parent taking custody) is a class B felony (up to 25 years); all other kidnapping is third degree, a class C felony (up to 10 years and a fine of $1,370 to $13,660). False imprisonment (intentionally confining someone against their will by force, threat or deception without any reasonable belief of authority) is a serious misdemeanor (up to 1 year and a fine of $430 to $2,560).

Iowa treats most threats as assault or harassment. Assault includes an act meant to put someone in fear of immediate painful or offensive contact, or pointing a firearm or displaying a dangerous weapon in a threatening way; it is a simple misdemeanor (up to 30 days) unless aggravated, and an aggravated misdemeanor (up to 2 years) when a dangerous weapon is used or displayed. Harassment involving a threat to commit a forcible felony is first-degree harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor; a threat to commit bodily injury is second-degree harassment, a serious misdemeanor (up to 1 year). Threatening to place a bomb, incendiary or destructive device where it will endanger people or property, and a threat of terrorism that causes reasonable fear, are class D felonies (up to 5 years and a fine of $1,025 to $10,245).

Stealing a motor vehicle worth $10,000 or less is second-degree theft, a class D felony (up to 5 years and a fine of $1,025 to $10,245), regardless of the lower value tiers that apply to other property; a vehicle worth more than $10,000 is first-degree theft, a class C felony (up to 10 years and a fine of $1,370 to $13,660). Joyriding, called 'operating vehicle without owner's consent' (taking possession or control of another's vehicle, aircraft or motorboat without consent but without intent to keep it permanently), is an aggravated misdemeanor (up to 2 years and a fine of $855 to $8,540). Failing to return a leased or rented vehicle within 72 hours after the agreed time is evidence of theft by misappropriation.

Exercising control over stolen property while knowing or having reasonable cause to believe it was stolen is theft in Iowa (unless the purpose is to promptly return it to the owner or police), and is graded by value like other theft. Over $10,000 is first-degree theft (class C felony, up to 10 years); over $1,500 up to $10,000 is second degree (class D felony, up to 5 years); over $750 up to $1,500 is third degree (aggravated misdemeanor, up to 2 years); over $300 up to $750 is fourth degree (serious misdemeanor, up to 1 year); and $300 or less is fifth degree (simple misdemeanor, up to 30 days). Having property stolen from two or more people on separate occasions, or buying it far below its value as a dealer, lets a jury infer knowledge.

Iowa has a separate organized retail theft crime. It applies to a person associated with a 'retail theft enterprise' (two or more people with a shared goal of stealing retail merchandise) who has a pattern of retail theft (at least two prior occasions in the past six months), commits or directs a new retail theft, and sells, advertises or returns the stolen goods for value. It is a class C felony over $5,000 (up to 10 years), a class D felony over $1,000 up to $5,000 (up to 5 years), an aggravated misdemeanor over $500 up to $1,000, and a serious misdemeanor at $500 or less, with higher grades for repeat offenders. The value of merchandise received within any six-month period may be added together.

Making, delivering, or possessing with intent to deliver a controlled substance is graded by drug and amount. The largest amounts (for example more than 100 grams of heroin, more than 500 grams of cocaine, more than 5 kilograms of methamphetamine, or more than 50 grams of fentanyl) are a class B felony punishable by up to 50 years and a fine up to $1 million; mid-range amounts (for example more than 5 grams but not more than 5 kilograms of methamphetamine, or more than 5 up to 50 grams of fentanyl) are a class B felony (up to 25 years) plus a fine of $5,000 to $100,000; smaller amounts of Schedule I-III drugs are a class C felony (up to 10 years) plus a fine of $1,000 to $50,000. Schedule IV and V drugs are an aggravated misdemeanor, but 50 kilograms or less of marijuana is a class D felony. For the two class B tiers, the person is not eligible for parole until serving one-third of the maximum sentence (not for marijuana or accommodation offenses), and having a firearm doubles the term.

Knowingly getting or trying to get a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge is a serious misdemeanor in Iowa, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $430 to $2,560. The same grade applies to using a fictitious or borrowed registration number and falsifying required controlled-substance records. The pharmacy law separately forbids getting any prescription drug by fraud, forged or altered prescriptions, concealing a material fact, or using a false name or address.

Iowa calls it 'serious injury by vehicle.' Unintentionally causing a serious injury while driving drunk or drugged, driving recklessly with willful or wanton disregard for safety, eluding police, or speeding 25 mph or more over the limit is a class D felony, punishable by up to 5 years and a fine of $1,025 to $10,245. Using a handheld electronic device while driving is prima facie evidence of reckless driving for this offense. When the injury involves operating while intoxicated, the court may not defer judgment or suspend any part of the sentence.

Iowa's drag racing law bans engaging in, or aiding or abetting, any motor vehicle speed contest or exhibition of speed on a public street or highway, meaning competing in speed above the speed limit (a passenger is not treated as aiding). It is a simple misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of $105 to $855. Unintentionally causing a death while drag racing is a class D felony (up to 5 years).

Operating a motorboat or sailboat while under the influence, with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more, or with any amount of a controlled substance in the blood or urine is a crime in Iowa. A first offense is a serious misdemeanor with at least 48 hours in jail, a $1,000 fine (up to $500 may be waived if no one was hurt), a one-year ban on operating a boat, and substance-use evaluation and a drinking-driver course. A second offense is an aggravated misdemeanor (at least 7 days, a fine of $1,500 to $5,000, a two-year boating ban), and a third or later offense is a class D felony (fine of $2,500 to $7,500, six-year ban). Causing serious injury is a class D felony with up to 5 years.

With intent to defraud an insurer, presenting (or helping or conspiring to present) a written or oral statement that contains false information about a material fact, either to support an insurance claim or in an application for coverage, is a class D felony in Iowa. Iowa does not grade this offense by amount; the class D felony carries up to 5 years and a fine of $1,025 to $10,245. 'Statement' is broad and includes proofs of loss, estimates, medical bills and records.

Getting or trying to get Family Investment Program (cash assistance) benefits by a willfully false statement, by knowingly hiding a material fact, by impersonation or other fraud is a 'fraudulent practice,' and the person is personally liable to repay the benefits fraudulently obtained. Unemployment fraud (knowingly making a false statement or failing to disclose a material fact to get or increase benefits) is also a fraudulent practice, and the claimant must repay benefits received through misrepresentation. Fraudulent practices are graded by amount: over $10,000 a class C felony; over $1,500 up to $10,000 a class D felony; over $750 up to $1,500 an aggravated misdemeanor; over $300 up to $750 a serious misdemeanor; $300 or less a simple misdemeanor. Transferring property for less than fair value to qualify for public assistance is also a fraudulent practice.

Offering, promising or giving anything of value to a public officer or employee, juror, referee, witness or arbitrator under an understanding that it will influence their vote, decision or exercise of discretion is bribery, a class D felony (up to 5 years). Soliciting or accepting such a bribe is a class C felony (up to 10 years). Anyone convicted of either is disqualified from holding public office in Iowa. Commercial bribery (offering a gratuity to a business employee, or an employee accepting one, for an act that conflicts with the employee's duties to the employer) is a separate class D felony.

Under Iowa's individual income tax law, a person required to file a return or pay tax who willfully files a false or fraudulent return, or willfully fails to pay the tax, supply information, or file the return when required, commits a 'fraudulent practice,' graded by the amount involved (class C felony over $10,000 down to a simple misdemeanor at $300 or less). Willfully attempting in any manner to defeat or evade the tax or its payment is a class D felony for each offense (up to 5 years and a fine of $1,025 to $10,245). Prosecution must begin within six years.

Iowa calls rape and sexual assault 'sexual abuse': a sex act done by force or against the person's will (including by threats or while the person is drugged or unconscious), with someone whose mental incapacity prevents consent, or with a child. Third-degree sexual abuse (force or against the will, an incapacitated or helpless victim, or a victim drugged so they cannot consent) is a class C felony (up to 10 years). Second-degree (displaying a dangerous weapon or using force that risks death or serious injury, being aided by others, or a child victim) is a class B felony (up to 25 years). First-degree sexual abuse (causing serious injury) is a class A felony (life without parole). Sex with 14- and 15-year-olds in certain circumstances is covered on the age-of-consent page.

For these laws a 'child' is under 14. Any sex act with a child is second-degree sexual abuse, a class B felony (up to 25 years), and three or more acts of sexual abuse against the same child over at least 30 days by an adult is continuous sexual abuse of a child, a class B felony with up to 50 years. Lascivious acts with a child by someone 16 or older (sexual touching of a child's genitals or causing a child to touch the person) is a class C felony (up to 10 years); soliciting a child for a sex act or inflicting pain for sexual purposes is a class D felony (up to 5 years). Indecent contact with a child by an adult (sexual touching of other intimate areas, including over clothing) is an aggravated misdemeanor (up to 2 years).

Iowa calls this 'sexual exploitation of a minor.' Knowingly buying or possessing a visual depiction of a minor in a sex act is a class D felony for a first offense (up to 5 years) and a class C felony for a second or later offense (up to 10 years), and each image of a different minor, or each depiction of the same minor, is a separate offense. Using, persuading or causing a minor (or an officer posing as one) to engage in a sex act knowing it may be recorded is a class B felony (up to 25 years) with an extra fine of up to $50,000; knowingly promoting material showing a live performance of a minor in a sex act is a class C felony with an extra fine of up to $25,000. Depictions altered or created to show an identifiable real minor are covered.

Iowa's enticing a minor law expressly covers enticement by phone, internet, social media, text, instant message or email, and it applies when the target is an officer posing as a minor. Enticing or attempting to entice a person believed to be under 13 with intent to commit sexual abuse or sexual exploitation is a class C felony (up to 10 years). Enticing or attempting to entice a person believed to be under 16 with intent to commit an illegal sex act or sexual exploitation is a class D felony (up to 5 years). The person must commit an overt act showing a purpose to entice.

People convicted of sex offenses classified as tier I, II or III (and people required to register in another state who live, work or study in Iowa) must register in person with the sheriff within five business days, and report changes of residence, job or school within five business days. Tier I offenders verify in person every year, tier II every six months and tier III every three months. Registration generally lasts 10 years, or the length of a special sentence if longer; it is for life after a second registrable conviction, an aggravated offense, or for a sexually violent predator, and a registry violation adds 10 years. Violating registration requirements is an aggravated misdemeanor for a first offense and a class D felony for a repeat; committing a sex offense against a minor or a sexually violent offense while in violation is a class C felony, and judgment cannot be deferred.

A person convicted of a felony in any state or federal court, or adjudicated delinquent for conduct that would be a felony, who knowingly possesses, controls, receives or transports a firearm or offensive weapon is guilty of a class D felony with a mandatory minimum of 2 years for a first offense (4 years for a second), and a class C felony with a mandatory minimum of 7 years for a third offense (10 years for a fourth or later). Judgment cannot be deferred, and the minimums cannot be suspended or reduced by earned time (except that a first-offense sentence may be suspended on the county attorney's recommendation). The ban does not apply after a pardon, restoration of civil rights or expungement, unless that document forbids firearms.

Knowingly accessing a computer, system or network without authorization is a simple misdemeanor, a serious misdemeanor if data is copied, altered or deleted, and an aggravated misdemeanor if the data is a confidential government record, a trade secret, or operational data of a utility, rural water district or public airport. Iowa's Computer Spyware, Malware, and Ransomware Protection Act separately bans ransomware-type attacks (unauthorized access meant to disrupt or damage systems or data, or misuse of access codes): an aggravated misdemeanor for losses under $10,000, a class D felony for $10,000 to under $50,000, and a class C felony for $50,000 or more. Deceptively installing spyware or malware is an aggravated misdemeanor, or a class D felony if losses exceed $1,000.

Iowa is a one-party consent state. A person who is a party to a phone call, electronic communication or in-person conversation, or who has the consent of one party, may record it, unless it is done to commit a crime, a tort or another injurious act. Willfully intercepting a wire, oral or electronic communication without that consent, or knowingly disclosing or using its contents, is a class D felony (up to 5 years). A separate eavesdropping law makes it a serious misdemeanor (up to 1 year) to tap a line or record a conversation without right, but it does not apply to a sender or recipient, or someone openly present and taking part.

Knowingly giving false information to police, a fire department or another public safety agency, or reporting a crime that did not happen, is a simple misdemeanor, or a serious misdemeanor if the made-up crime is a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or felony. Falsely reporting a forcible felony, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, terrorism, biological agents or an arson or explosives offense is a class D felony (up to 5 years), and a class C felony (up to 10 years) if the false report contributes to someone's serious injury or death. Calling 911 knowing there is no emergency is a simple misdemeanor.

Iowa has hate crime laws. A 'hate crime' is an assault, arson or explosives offense, criminal mischief or trespass committed against a person or property because of the person's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability, or their association with such a person. Arson and criminal mischief that are hate crimes are punished one degree higher than the underlying offense. Assault as a hate crime is a serious misdemeanor, an aggravated misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury, and a class D felony if done with intent to cause serious injury or with a dangerous weapon; trespass with intent to commit a hate crime is a serious misdemeanor, or aggravated if it causes injury or more than $300 of damage.

Iowa has parole, granted by the Iowa Board of Parole. When a parolee is accused of a violation, an administrative parole judge (an attorney) holds a revocation hearing on the record to decide whether the violation happened and whether parole should be revoked; the parolee hears the evidence, may testify, present witnesses and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and the hearing may be held electronically. If a violation is proven, the judge may continue parole with or without changed conditions, revoke parole and require the person to serve the original sentence, or revoke parole and reinstate work release. For someone on a lifetime or 10-year special sentence for a sex offense, revocation is limited to up to 2 years in prison on a first revocation and up to 5 years on a later one.

Violating a no-contact order or a civil protective order (including domestic abuse, sexual abuse, elder abuse and family-court orders) can be punished as contempt of court or, for no-contact orders in domestic abuse or older-individual assault cases and for protective orders, as a simple misdemeanor. A person convicted of or held in contempt for violating a criminal no-contact order must serve at least 7 consecutive days in jail, and a person who violates a civil protective order must serve a jail sentence; these sentences cannot be deferred or suspended or replaced by a fine, and the court may order payment of the protected person's attorney fees and costs. Stalking someone in violation of a protective or no-contact order is charged separately as stalking, a class C felony (up to 10 years).

Iowa automatically excludes from juvenile court, and tries in adult court, children 16 or older charged with forcible felonies, felony weapons offenses, and certain serious drug offenses, though the district court may transfer a case back to juvenile court for good cause. For other cases the juvenile court may waive jurisdiction after a hearing for a child 14 or older if there is probable cause and the state shows there are no reasonable prospects of rehabilitation in the juvenile system and waiver is in the best interests of the child and the community. Children aged 12 to 15 (or 10 or 11 for a class A felony) may instead be waived for prosecution as 'youthful offenders,' a blended path that starts under juvenile supervision.

Iowa does not have the death penalty. The most serious crimes, including first-degree murder, are class A felonies, punished by commitment to the Department of Corrections for the rest of the person's life with no parole unless the governor commutes the sentence to a term of years (people under 18 at the time of a first-degree murder receive one of three life-sentence options set by the court).

Under Iowa law a person convicted of a felony is disqualified from registering and voting unless the governor (or the President for a federal felony) restores the person's rights. Under Governor's Executive Order 7 (August 5, 2020), voting rights are restored automatically, with no further action, once a person completes all confinement, parole, probation or other supervised release (including any special sentence) for all felony convictions. People convicted of a felony under Iowa's homicide chapter (chapter 707) are excluded and must apply to the governor after finishing probation or parole, and must have paid court costs, restitution and fines or be current on a payment plan. Misdemeanors and deferred judgments do not affect voting rights.

In Iowa the governor has the power to grant pardons and restore the rights of citizenship. Voting rights (and the other citizenship rights covered by Executive Order 7) return automatically when the felony sentence is discharged, except for homicide convictions under chapter 707, which require an application to the governor. Firearm rights are not restored by Executive Order 7: a person must apply separately to the Iowa Board of Parole, which reviews applications and makes recommendations to the governor. Firearm rights can never be restored for a forcible felony, a felony drug offense involving a firearm, or a felony weapons violation under chapter 724.

Iowa's habitual offender law applies to a person convicted of a class C or class D felony who has twice before been convicted of any felony in Iowa, another state or federal court. A habitual offender may be confined for up to 15 years and is not eligible for parole until serving at least 3 years.

Iowa regulates hemp-derived THC products as 'consumable hemp products' (eaten, drunk or absorbed). Since 2024, such a product may contain no more total THC than the lesser of 0.3% on a dry weight basis or 4 milligrams per serving and 10 milligrams per container; hemp products above the limits are not exempt from the controlled substances law, and the Schedule I hemp exclusion counts THC 'inclusive of any isomers, derivatives, and analogs, whether naturally occurring or synthesized'. Manufacturers and sellers must register with the Department of Health and Human Services. Selling or giving a consumable hemp product to anyone under 21 is a simple misdemeanor, and a person under 21 who consumes, possesses or buys one faces a civil penalty and community service. Possessing or selling hemp or hemp products intended to be inhaled (smoked or vaped) is a serious misdemeanor unless federal law authorizes inhalation.

Psilocybin and psilocyn are Schedule I controlled substances in Iowa. Possession without a prescription is a serious misdemeanor for a first offense, an aggravated misdemeanor with one prior drug conviction, and a class D felony with two or more prior drug convictions. Iowa's controlled substances chapter contains no psilocybin program or decriminalization.

Kratom (mitragynine) is not listed in Iowa's controlled substances schedules, so it is not a controlled substance under state law. A 2026 bill to make kratom a Schedule I controlled substance (HF 2133) passed the Iowa House 69-26 on March 17, 2026, but it was not passed by the Senate; an amendment to instead allow sales only to people 21 and older with labeling and registration rules failed in the House 44-51.

Hemp CBD products sold to be eaten, drunk or absorbed are 'consumable hemp products' in Iowa: they must stay within the total THC limits (the lesser of 0.3% dry weight or 4 mg per serving and 10 mg per container), manufacturers and sellers must register with the Department of Health and Human Services, and they may not be sold to or bought or possessed by anyone under 21. Smokable or vapeable hemp is banned unless federal law authorizes inhalation. Separately, Iowa's medical cannabidiol program (chapter 124E) allows registered patients to possess and use medical cannabidiol.

The minimum age in Iowa to buy, use or possess tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, vapor products or cigarettes is 21. A person under 21 who smokes, uses, possesses or tries to buy them faces a civil penalty of $70 for a first offense, $135 for a second and $325 for a third or later, plus 8, 12 or 16 hours of community work (the first can be waived by the court). Underage employees of permit holders may handle the products as part of their job.

Iowa's elder abuse crime protects an 'older individual': a person 60 or older who cannot protect himself or herself from abuse because of a mental or physical condition or personal circumstance. Elder abuse covers physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, isolation and sexual exploitation. A first offense is a class C felony if intentional abuse causes serious injury; a class D felony if reckless abuse causes serious injury or intentional abuse causes physical injury or psychological harm; an aggravated misdemeanor if reckless abuse causes physical injury or psychological harm; and otherwise a serious misdemeanor for intentional elder abuse. Repeat offenses move up to class B, C or D felonies. Separately, assaulting anyone 60 or older carries enhanced grades and a 2-day mandatory jail minimum, and theft from a person 60 or older is punished one grade higher than ordinary theft (for example, third-degree theft becomes a class D felony).

In Iowa, knowingly viewing, photographing or filming another person who is fully or partly nude, without consent, where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, for sexual gratification, is 'invasion of privacy - nudity', an aggravated misdemeanor (up to 2 years in jail and a fine of $855 to $8,540).

Simple assault in Iowa is generally a simple misdemeanor. Assaulting a peace officer, jailer, correctional or juvenile detention staff, parole board member or employee, firefighter, emergency health care provider, national guard member on duty, or certain other listed public employees, knowing their status, is: a class C felony with intent to inflict serious injury or when a dangerous weapon is used or displayed; a class D felony if it causes bodily injury or mental illness; and otherwise an aggravated misdemeanor (including spitting on the person) with a mandatory minimum of 7 days in jail that cannot be suspended.