Iowa criminal charge
Assaults on persons engaged in certain occupations in Iowa
Assaults on persons engaged in certain occupations is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 708.3A. 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 § 708.3A.
How is assaults on persons engaged in certain occupations classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assault with intent to inflict serious injury | Class “C” Felony | The person commits an assault against a listed protected occupation while knowing the victim's status and with intent to inflict serious injury. | Iowa Code § 708.3A(1) |
| Assault with a dangerous weapon | Class “C” Felony | The person commits an assault against a listed protected occupation, knowing the victim's status, and uses or displays a dangerous weapon in connection with the assault. | Iowa Code § 708.3A(2) |
| Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness | Class “D” Felony | The person commits an assault against a listed protected occupation, knowing the victim's status, causing bodily injury or mental illness. | Iowa Code § 708.3A(3) |
| Other assault (including bodily fluid contact) | Aggravated Misdemeanor | Any other assault, including causing contact with saliva by throwing, spitting, or expelling fluid, committed against a listed protected occupation with knowledge of the victim's status, not otherwise covered above. | Iowa Code § 708.3A(4) |
Common questions about assaults on persons engaged in certain occupations in Iowa
Is assaults on persons engaged in certain occupations a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: assaults on persons engaged in certain occupations ranges from a Aggravated Misdemeanor to a Class “C” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 708.3A.
Assault with intent to inflict serious injury: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 708.3A(1)) · Assault with a dangerous weapon: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 708.3A(2)) · Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 708.3A(3)) · Other assault (including bodily fluid contact): Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 708.3A(4))
Which Iowa statute covers assaults on persons engaged in certain occupations?
Assaults on persons engaged in certain occupations is governed by Iowa Code § 708.3A (Assaults on persons engaged in certain occupations).
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.