Iowa Misdemeanors

A misdemeanor is a less severe crime than a felony but is deemed more serious than a civil infraction. Committing this offense can lead to penalties like short jail terms served in county jails, probation, and fines.

What Is a Misdemeanor in Iowa?

In Iowa, a misdemeanor is a lesser offense that still has legal consequences. Misdemeanors are categorized based on severity into three groups: simple, serious, and aggravated misdemeanors. In addition, the maximum fine and jail terms for these offenses are stated in Section 903.1 of the Iowa Code.

An individual commits a misdemeanor when involved in offenses like trespassing, public intoxication, assault resulting in bodily injury, possession of drug paraphernalia, carrying a gun without a permit, and theft of items worth between $1,599 and $10,000.

Misdemeanor Classes and Penalties in Iowa

Iowa’s general sentencing statute sets the maximum jail term and fine limits for each class of misdemeanor. Nevertheless, some offense-specific laws may impose additional consequences, such as mandatory license suspension, treatment programs, and probation requirements:

• Simple misdemeanor — Anyone convicted of a simple misdemeanor may receive up to 30 days in county jail, a fine between $105 and $855, or both, depending on the judgment of the court.
• Serious misdemeanor — This offense carries a penalty of up to one year in jail, a fine ranging from $430 to $2,560, or both.
• Aggravated misdemeanor — This is the most serious type of misdemeanor that is punishable by up to two years of imprisonment and a fine ranging from $855 to $8,450.

Both simple and serious misdemeanors are subject to determinate sentences according to the Iowa Judicial Branch’s sentencing chart. This means that the judge has the authority to specify how long an individual will be sentenced to jail. In contrast, an aggravated misdemeanor can lead to a determinate county jail time of up to one year or an indeterminate prison term of up to two years.

Misdemeanor Court Process in Iowa

In Iowa, all misdemeanor cases are heard in the Iowa District Courts. However, the level of the offense determines which judicial officer will preside over the case. Simple misdemeanors, such as minor criminal cases, traffic offenses, and preliminary matters, are handled by Judicial Magistrates. On the other hand, Associate District Court Judges address serious and aggravated misdemeanors because they require more formal proceedings.

The typical sequence in an Iowa misdemeanor case generally follows these key steps:

• Arrest or citation – The process begins when an individual is arrested or issued a citation for a misdemeanor offense.
• Initial appearance/arraignment – The offender appears before a magistrate or judge within 24 hours of arrest. In court, the offender will be informed of the charges, their rights, and the conditions of release.
• Pre-trial – If the offender pleads not guilty, the court can schedule motion hearings and pretrial conferences.
• Trial – Simple misdemeanors are usually heard by a judge, while serious and aggravated cases can be heard by a jury.
• Sentencing – A judge or magistrate may impose a sentence based on applicable laws or the class of the offense if the offender is found guilty.

Rather than a state prison, misdemeanor sentences are usually served in county jails. Nevertheless, if a court imposes an indeterminate term for an aggravated misdemeanor, the offender may serve time in state prison.

Misdemeanor Records in Major Iowa Cities

The Iowa Court Online System offers centralized public access to electronic docket records from courts across the state. Through this portal, individuals may search case information and access the online service for paying court debts.

• Des Moines (Polk County) – By performing a name, citation number, or case ID search, Des Moines residents can find misdemeanor cases through the Iowa Court Online System.
• Cedar Rapids (Linn County) – Interested parties may view misdemeanor records remotely through the statewide system or use the public access terminals in the relevant courthouse.
• Davenport (Scott County) – Davenport residents can view information on misdemeanor cases through the Iowa Court Online System. In addition, anyone can pay for their misdemeanor citation by using the online payment portal.

Some court records are restricted to case participants or available only at the courthouse due to privacy protections. Through the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS), case participants may remotely access documents and information related to their own cases. The Iowa Courts Online System, by contrast, provides public access only to limited information about misdemeanor cases. Members of the public who wish to review full, publicly available documents in misdemeanor matters may do so by visiting the Clerk of Court’s Office.

How to Search for Misdemeanor Records in Iowa

The Iowa Courts Online portal serves as the statewide system for accessing court records in Iowa. Misdemeanor records may be located by searching with a party name, case ID, or citation number. To obtain older records or certified copies, individuals should submit their requests directly to the Clerk of Court’s Office.

How Long Does a Misdemeanor Stay on Your Record in Iowa?

In Iowa, there are two separate legal options for clearing or removing certain criminal records:

Acquittals & Dismissals

Under Iowa Code Section 901C.1 you can request to have your criminal case record removed from public access if your case did not result in a conviction. To qualify, your case must have been dismissed or resulted in an acquittal of all charges, at least 180 days must have passed since the acquittal or dismissal, and you must have no pending criminal charges in Iowa or any other state.

One Misdemeanor Conviction

If you have been convicted of a single misdemeanor offense in Iowa, you may request to have the conviction removed from public access after eight years, provided you have had no subsequent convictions and the offense is eligible for expungement under Section 901C.3.

Important distinctions

• Not automatic – Iowa does not automatically erase misdemeanor convictions from a person’s record. To erase these records, an individual needs to apply and be eligible.
• Effect of expungement – When the expungement is granted, the court file is sealed from public view. Nevertheless, law enforcement and courts may retain limited access as authorized by law.

Without relief, a misdemeanor remains accessible to the public through court indexes and background checks. However, eligible cases may be removed from public view upon request if they meet the requirements outlined in Iowa Code Sections 901C.1 or 901C.3.