Iowa criminal charge

Cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass in Iowa

Current through 2026 Iowa legislative session

Cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 727.8A. 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 § 727.8A.

What is the penalty for cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass in Iowa?

Penalties for Cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass
Penalty	Range	Basis	Authority
Jail / prison	up to 2 years (Cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass — first offense — Applies when the person commits this trespass camera/surveillance offense for the first time.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2)))	discretionary	Iowa Code § 903.1
Fine	$855 to $8,540 (Cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass — first offense — Applies when the person commits this trespass camera/surveillance offense for the first time.; 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 (Cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass — second or subsequent offense — Applies when the person commits this trespass camera/surveillance offense for a second or subsequent time.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole)	discretionary	Iowa Code § 902.9
Fine	$1,025 to $10,245 (Cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass — second or subsequent offense — Applies when the person commits this trespass camera/surveillance offense for a second or subsequent time.; §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 cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass classified in Iowa?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass
Variant	Classification	When it applies	Statute
Cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass — first offense	Aggravated Misdemeanor	Applies when the person commits this trespass camera/surveillance offense for the first time.	Iowa Code § 727.8Aundefined
Cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass — second or subsequent offense	Class “D” Felony	Applies when the person commits this trespass camera/surveillance offense for a second or subsequent time.	Iowa Code § 727.8Aundefined

Common questions about cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass in Iowa

Is cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?

It depends on the circumstances: cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass ranges from a Aggravated Misdemeanor to a Class “D” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 727.8A.

Cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass — first offense: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 727.8A) · Cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass — second or subsequent offense: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 727.8A)

What are the penalties for cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass in Iowa?

Penalties for cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass in Iowa depend on how it is classified — from a Aggravated Misdemeanor up to a Class “D” Felony — with the ranges set by Iowa Code § 903.1 and Iowa Code § 902.9; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Iowa statute covers cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass?

Cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass is governed by Iowa Code § 727.8A (Cameras or electronic surveillance devices trespass).

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.