Iowa criminal charge
Distribution to person under age eighteen in Iowa
Distribution to person under age eighteen is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 124.406. 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 § 124.406.
How is distribution to person under age eighteen classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distribution of schedule I or II to minor | Class “B” Felony | Unlawfully distributes or possesses with intent to distribute a schedule I or II substance to a person under eighteen; minimum five-year confinement, or ten years if within specified proximity to schools, parks, pools, recreation centers, or a school bus. | Iowa Code § 124.406(1)(a) |
| Distribution of schedule III to minor | Class “C” Felony | Unlawfully distributes or possesses with intent to distribute a schedule III substance to a person under eighteen who is at least three years younger than the violator. | Iowa Code § 124.406(1)(b) |
| Distribution of schedule IV or V to minor | Aggravated Misdemeanor | Unlawfully distributes a schedule IV or V substance to a person under eighteen who is at least three years younger than the violator. | Iowa Code § 124.406(1)(c) |
| Distribution of counterfeit/simulated schedule I or II to minor | Class “B” Felony | Unlawfully distributes or possesses with intent to distribute a counterfeit, simulated, or imitation substance represented as schedule I or II to a person under eighteen. | Iowa Code § 124.406(2)(a) |
| Distribution of counterfeit/simulated schedule III to minor | Class “C” Felony | Unlawfully distributes or possesses with intent to distribute a counterfeit, simulated, or imitation substance represented as schedule III to a person under eighteen who is at least three years younger than the violator. | Iowa Code § 124.406(2)(b) |
| Distribution of counterfeit/simulated schedule IV or V to minor | Aggravated Misdemeanor | Unlawfully distributes a counterfeit, simulated, or imitation substance represented as schedule IV or V to a person under eighteen who is at least three years younger than the violator. | Iowa Code § 124.406(2)(c) |
| Recruiting or conspiring to deliver controlled substance to minors | Class “D” Felony | Delivers a controlled substance to another person in order to act with, conspire with, or recruit that person for the purpose of delivering a controlled substance to one or more persons under eighteen years of age. | Iowa Code § 124.406(3) |
Common questions about distribution to person under age eighteen in Iowa
Is distribution to person under age eighteen a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: distribution to person under age eighteen ranges from a Aggravated Misdemeanor to a Class “B” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 124.406.
Distribution of schedule I or II to minor: Class “B” Felony (Iowa Code § 124.406(1)(a)) · Distribution of schedule III to minor: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 124.406(1)(b)) · Distribution of schedule IV or V to minor: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 124.406(1)(c)) · Distribution of counterfeit/simulated schedule I or II to minor: Class “B” Felony (Iowa Code § 124.406(2)(a)) · Distribution of counterfeit/simulated schedule III to minor: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 124.406(2)(b)) · Distribution of counterfeit/simulated schedule IV or V to minor: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 124.406(2)(c)) · Recruiting or conspiring to deliver controlled substance to minors: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 124.406(3))
Which Iowa statute covers distribution to person under age eighteen?
Distribution to person under age eighteen is governed by Iowa Code § 124.406 (Distribution to person under age eighteen).
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.