Iowa criminal charge
False reports to or communications with public safety entities in Iowa
Current through 2026 Iowa legislative session
False reports to or communications with public safety entities is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 718.6. 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 § 718.6.
What is the penalty for false reports to or communications with public safety entities in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 30 days (False report — basic (non-serious underlying act) — A person knowingly reports false information to a public safety entity or falsely reports a criminal act that did not occur, where the alleged act (if any) is not a serious/aggravated misdemeanor or felony.; may be ordered in lieu of or in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(a))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $105 to $855 (False report — basic (non-serious underlying act) — A person knowingly reports false information to a public safety entity or falsely reports a criminal act that did not occur, where the alleged act (if any) is not a serious/aggravated misdemeanor or felony.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); jail may be ordered in lieu of the fine; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 years (False report — serious underlying act alleged — The false report or falsely alleged criminal act concerns an act that would itself be a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or felony.; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (False report — serious underlying act alleged — The false report or falsely alleged criminal act concerns an act that would itself be a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or felony.; 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 (False report of specified serious offenses — The falsely reported criminal act is a forcible felony, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, an act of terrorism, unlawful possession of biological agents, or a chapter 712 offense.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (False report of specified serious offenses — The falsely reported criminal act is a forcible felony, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, an act of terrorism, unlawful possession of biological agents, or a chapter 712 offense.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (False report resulting in serious injury or death — A false report of a subsection 2 criminal act results in serious bodily injury or death to another person, including where the report contributes to that harm.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,370 to $13,660 (False report resulting in serious injury or death — A false report of a subsection 2 criminal act results in serious bodily injury or death to another person, including where the report contributes to that harm.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 30 days (False 911 call — A person knowingly telephones a 911 center without an actual emergency or need for emergency assistance, unless the situation falls under subsection 2.; may be ordered in lieu of or in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(a))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $105 to $855 (False 911 call — A person knowingly telephones a 911 center without an actual emergency or need for emergency assistance, unless the situation falls under subsection 2.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); jail may be ordered in lieu of the fine; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Jail / prison | up to 30 days (False information on citation — non-serious offense — A person knowingly gives false information to a law enforcement officer entered on a citation, where the underlying criminal act for the citation is not a serious/aggravated misdemeanor or felony.; may be ordered in lieu of or in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(a))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $105 to $855 (False information on citation — non-serious offense — A person knowingly gives false information to a law enforcement officer entered on a citation, where the underlying criminal act for the citation is not a serious/aggravated misdemeanor or felony.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); jail may be ordered in lieu of the fine; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 years (False information on citation — serious underlying offense — A person knowingly gives false information on a citation where the criminal act for which the citation is issued is a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or felony.; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (False information on citation — serious underlying offense — A person knowingly gives false information on a citation where the criminal act for which the citation is issued is a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or felony.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
Applies to current (2026 Iowa Code; fine levels per 2020 Acts ch 1074).
How is false reports to or communications with public safety entities classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| False report — basic (non-serious underlying act) | Simple Misdemeanor | A person knowingly reports false information to a public safety entity or falsely reports a criminal act that did not occur, where the alleged act (if any) is not a serious/aggravated misdemeanor or felony. | Iowa Code § 718.6(1) |
| False report — serious underlying act alleged | Serious Misdemeanor | The false report or falsely alleged criminal act concerns an act that would itself be a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or felony. | Iowa Code § 718.6(1) |
| False report of specified serious offenses | Class “D” Felony | The falsely reported criminal act is a forcible felony, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, an act of terrorism, unlawful possession of biological agents, or a chapter 712 offense. | Iowa Code § 718.6(2) |
| False report resulting in serious injury or death | Class “C” Felony | A false report of a subsection 2 criminal act results in serious bodily injury or death to another person, including where the report contributes to that harm. | Iowa Code § 718.6(3) |
| False 911 call | Simple Misdemeanor | A person knowingly telephones a 911 center without an actual emergency or need for emergency assistance, unless the situation falls under subsection 2. | Iowa Code § 718.6(4) |
| False information on citation — non-serious offense | Simple Misdemeanor | A person knowingly gives false information to a law enforcement officer entered on a citation, where the underlying criminal act for the citation is not a serious/aggravated misdemeanor or felony. | Iowa Code § 718.6(5) |
| False information on citation — serious underlying offense | Serious Misdemeanor | A person knowingly gives false information on a citation where the criminal act for which the citation is issued is a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or felony. | Iowa Code § 718.6(5) |
Common questions about false reports to or communications with public safety entities in Iowa
Is false reports to or communications with public safety entities a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: false reports to or communications with public safety entities ranges from a Simple Misdemeanor to a Class “C” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 718.6.
False report — basic (non-serious underlying act): Simple Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 718.6(1)) · False report — serious underlying act alleged: Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 718.6(1)) · False report of specified serious offenses: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 718.6(2)) · False report resulting in serious injury or death: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 718.6(3)) · False 911 call: Simple Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 718.6(4)) · False information on citation — non-serious offense: Simple Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 718.6(5)) · False information on citation — serious underlying offense: Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 718.6(5))
What are the penalties for false reports to or communications with public safety entities in Iowa?
Which Iowa statute covers false reports to or communications with public safety entities?
False reports to or communications with public safety entities is governed by Iowa Code § 718.6 (False reports to or communications with public safety entities).
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.