Iowa criminal charge
Interference with transportation of agricultural animals in Iowa
Interference with transportation of agricultural animals is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 716.13. 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 § 716.13.
What is the penalty for interference with transportation of agricultural animals in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 2 years (Interference with transportation - interfering with motor vehicle — A person knowingly stops, hinders, impedes, boards, obstructs, or otherwise interferes with a motor vehicle transporting an agricultural animal, as provided in subsection 2(a).; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Interference with transportation - interfering with motor vehicle — A person knowingly stops, hinders, impedes, boards, obstructs, or otherwise interferes with a motor vehicle transporting an agricultural animal, as provided in subsection 2(a).; 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 2 years (Interference with transportation - interacting with confined animal — A person knowingly provokes, disturbs, or otherwise interacts with an agricultural animal confined in a motor vehicle, as provided in subsection 2(b).; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Interference with transportation - interacting with confined animal — A person knowingly provokes, disturbs, or otherwise interacts with an agricultural animal confined in a motor vehicle, as provided in subsection 2(b).; 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 (Interference with transportation - repeat offense — A person commits interference with transportation of an agricultural animal under subsection 2(a) or (b) after having previously been convicted of committing the same offense under either paragraph.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Interference with transportation - repeat offense — A person commits interference with transportation of an agricultural animal under subsection 2(a) or (b) after having previously been convicted of committing the same offense under either paragraph.; §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 interference with transportation of agricultural animals classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interference with transportation - interfering with motor vehicle | Aggravated Misdemeanor | A person knowingly stops, hinders, impedes, boards, obstructs, or otherwise interferes with a motor vehicle transporting an agricultural animal, as provided in subsection 2(a). | Iowa Code § 716.13(4)(a) |
| Interference with transportation - interacting with confined animal | Aggravated Misdemeanor | A person knowingly provokes, disturbs, or otherwise interacts with an agricultural animal confined in a motor vehicle, as provided in subsection 2(b). | Iowa Code § 716.13(4)(b) |
| Interference with transportation - repeat offense | Class “D” Felony | A person commits interference with transportation of an agricultural animal under subsection 2(a) or (b) after having previously been convicted of committing the same offense under either paragraph. | Iowa Code § 716.13(5) |
Common questions about interference with transportation of agricultural animals in Iowa
Is interference with transportation of agricultural animals a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: interference with transportation of agricultural animals ranges from a Aggravated Misdemeanor to a Class “D” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 716.13.
Interference with transportation - interfering with motor vehicle: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 716.13(4)(a)) · Interference with transportation - interacting with confined animal: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 716.13(4)(b)) · Interference with transportation - repeat offense: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 716.13(5))
What are the penalties for interference with transportation of agricultural animals in Iowa?
Which Iowa statute covers interference with transportation of agricultural animals?
Interference with transportation of agricultural animals is governed by Iowa Code § 716.13 (Interference with transportation of agricultural animals).
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.