{"id":373345,"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-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-28T17:00:31","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T22:00:31","slug":"iowa-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Iowa Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Iowa Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\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

State statutes of limitation give plaintiffs and prosecutors a period of time to file legal cases. These limitation periods ensure that court cases get filed on time. Civil statutes of limitation ensure plaintiffs file lawsuits while evidence is available and witness memories are fresh. State criminal statute of limitations<\/a> protects defendants\u2019 right to a speedy trial. Prosecutors must file criminal charges as soon as they have all the evidence needed for an indictment.<\/p>\r\n

Iowa\u2019s criminal statutes of limitation vary depending on the type of crime. Aggravated misdemeanors<\/a> have a three-year statute of limitations. Serious felonies, like murder, have no time limit. Some crimes have a variable statute depending on whether law enforcement develops a DNA profile of a suspect.<\/p>\r\n

Hire an Iowa criminal defense attorney<\/a> if someone has charged you with a serious crime.<\/p>\r\n

Iowa Criminal Statutes of Limitation<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Iowa Code Section<\/b> \u00a7 802.1<\/a> et seq.<\/p>\r\n

Under Iowa law, prosecutors can extend the statute for sex crimes up to three years on the discovery of DNA evidence.<\/p>\r\n

Felonies<\/b><\/p>\r\n