Iowa criminal charge
Feticide in Iowa
Feticide is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 707.7. 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 § 707.7.
What is the penalty for feticide in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Feticide — A person intentionally terminates a human pregnancy with the knowledge and voluntary consent of the pregnant person after the end of the second trimester, resulting in death of the fetus.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,370 to $13,660 (Feticide — A person intentionally terminates a human pregnancy with the knowledge and voluntary consent of the pregnant person after the end of the second trimester, resulting in death of the fetus.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Attempted feticide — A person attempts to intentionally terminate a human pregnancy with the knowledge and voluntary consent of the pregnant person after the end of the second trimester, but death of the fetus does not result.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Attempted feticide — A person attempts to intentionally terminate a human pregnancy with the knowledge and voluntary consent of the pregnant person after the end of the second trimester, but death of the fetus does not result.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Unlicensed termination of pregnancy — A person who is not licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery under chapter 148 terminates a human pregnancy with the knowledge and voluntary consent of the pregnant person.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,370 to $13,660 (Unlicensed termination of pregnancy — A person who is not licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery under chapter 148 terminates a human pregnancy with the knowledge and voluntary consent of the pregnant person.; §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 feticide classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feticide | Class “C” Felony | A person intentionally terminates a human pregnancy with the knowledge and voluntary consent of the pregnant person after the end of the second trimester, resulting in death of the fetus. | Iowa Code § 707.7(1) |
| Attempted feticide | Class “D” Felony | A person attempts to intentionally terminate a human pregnancy with the knowledge and voluntary consent of the pregnant person after the end of the second trimester, but death of the fetus does not result. | Iowa Code § 707.7(2) |
| Unlicensed termination of pregnancy | Class “C” Felony | A person who is not licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery under chapter 148 terminates a human pregnancy with the knowledge and voluntary consent of the pregnant person. | Iowa Code § 707.7(3) |
Common questions about feticide in Iowa
Is feticide a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: feticide ranges from a Class “D” Felony to a Class “C” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 707.7.
Feticide: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 707.7(1)) · Attempted feticide: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 707.7(2)) · Unlicensed termination of pregnancy: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 707.7(3))
What are the penalties for feticide in Iowa?
Penalties for feticide in Iowa depend on how it is classified — from a Class “D” Felony up to a Class “C” Felony — with the ranges set by Iowa Code § 902.9; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Iowa statute covers feticide?
Feticide is governed by Iowa Code § 707.7 (Feticide).
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.