{"id":373344,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-criminal-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-12-18T15:29:46","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T20:29:46","slug":"iowa-criminal-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-criminal-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Iowa Criminal Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Iowa Criminal Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n Learn about your state’s laws by using the links below.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Iowa’s Code of Criminal Laws and Procedures contains all the state laws on prohibited conduct and judicial procedures before and after arrest. Criminal laws describe the specific conduct, and rules of criminal procedure<\/a> explain law enforcement processes and court rules.<\/p>\r\n

Iowa Criminal Law<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Iowa’s criminal code sections cover all types of criminal conduct, from homicide and related crimes (Iowa code \u00a7 707.1 et seq<\/a>.) to illegal animal contests (\u00a7 717D.1<\/a>). Each code section contains a definition of the offense, penalties, and possible defenses.<\/p>\r\n

Iowa divides criminal offenses into felonies, punishable by more than five years in prison, and misdemeanors, which can result in up to two years in jail. Violations are minor offenses that only require a citation and a fine.<\/p>\r\n