Iowa criminal charge
Aggravated theft in Iowa
Aggravated theft is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 711.3B. Its classification is not fixed: Iowa assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Iowa Code § 711.3B.
What is the penalty for aggravated theft in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 2 years (Aggravated theft - base offense — A person who commits aggravated theft, without a qualifying prior conviction, is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Aggravated theft - base offense — A person who commits aggravated theft, without a qualifying prior conviction, is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Aggravated theft - with qualifying prior conviction — A person who commits aggravated theft and has a previous conviction for aggravated theft, first or second degree robbery, or extortion is guilty of a class D felony.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Aggravated theft - with qualifying prior conviction — A person who commits aggravated theft and has a previous conviction for aggravated theft, first or second degree robbery, or extortion is guilty of a class D felony.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
Applies to current (2026 Iowa Code; fine levels per 2020 Acts ch 1074).
How is aggravated theft classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggravated theft - base offense | Aggravated Misdemeanor | A person who commits aggravated theft, without a qualifying prior conviction, is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor. | Iowa Code § 711.3B(2)(a) |
| Aggravated theft - with qualifying prior conviction | Class “D” Felony | A person who commits aggravated theft and has a previous conviction for aggravated theft, first or second degree robbery, or extortion is guilty of a class D felony. | Iowa Code § 711.3B(2)(b) |
Common questions about aggravated theft in Iowa
Is aggravated theft a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: aggravated theft ranges from a Aggravated Misdemeanor to a Class “D” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 711.3B.
Aggravated theft - base offense: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 711.3B(2)(a)) · Aggravated theft - with qualifying prior conviction: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 711.3B(2)(b))
What are the penalties for aggravated theft in Iowa?
Which Iowa statute covers aggravated theft?
Aggravated theft is governed by Iowa Code § 711.3B (Aggravated theft).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.