Iowa criminal charge
Lascivious conduct with a minor in Iowa
Lascivious conduct with a minor is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 709.14. 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 § 709.14.
What is the penalty for lascivious conduct with a minor in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 years (Coercion to disrobe — A person in a position of authority forces, persuades, or coerces a minor to disrobe or partially disrobe for sexual arousal or gratification purposes.; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (Coercion to disrobe — A person in a position of authority forces, persuades, or coerces a minor to disrobe or partially disrobe for sexual arousal or gratification purposes.; 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 1 years (Fondling/touching over clothing (minor age 14-15) — A person in a position of authority fondles or touches, or has the minor fondle or touch, specified body areas (inner thigh, groin, buttock, anus, or breast), directly or through clothing, or solicits the minor to engage in acts under subsection 4.; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (Fondling/touching over clothing (minor age 14-15) — A person in a position of authority fondles or touches, or has the minor fondle or touch, specified body areas (inner thigh, groin, buttock, anus, or breast), directly or through clothing, or solicits the minor to engage in acts under subsection 4.; 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 (Fondling/touching genitals or soliciting sex act (minor age 14-15) — A person in a position of authority fondles or touches the minor's pubes or genitals, causes the minor to touch the person's genitals, causes genital contact, solicits a sex act, or inflicts or permits infliction of pain or discomfort involving the minor.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Fondling/touching genitals or soliciting sex act (minor age 14-15) — A person in a position of authority fondles or touches the minor's pubes or genitals, causes the minor to touch the person's genitals, causes genital contact, solicits a sex act, or inflicts or permits infliction of pain or discomfort involving the minor.; 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 lascivious conduct with a minor classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coercion to disrobe | Serious Misdemeanor | A person in a position of authority forces, persuades, or coerces a minor to disrobe or partially disrobe for sexual arousal or gratification purposes. | Iowa Code § 709.14(1)(b) |
| Fondling/touching over clothing (minor age 14-15) | Serious Misdemeanor | A person in a position of authority fondles or touches, or has the minor fondle or touch, specified body areas (inner thigh, groin, buttock, anus, or breast), directly or through clothing, or solicits the minor to engage in acts under subsection 4. | Iowa Code § 709.14(3)(b) |
| Fondling/touching genitals or soliciting sex act (minor age 14-15) | Aggravated Misdemeanor | A person in a position of authority fondles or touches the minor's pubes or genitals, causes the minor to touch the person's genitals, causes genital contact, solicits a sex act, or inflicts or permits infliction of pain or discomfort involving the minor. | Iowa Code § 709.14(4)(b) |
Common questions about lascivious conduct with a minor in Iowa
Is lascivious conduct with a minor a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: lascivious conduct with a minor ranges from a Serious Misdemeanor to a Aggravated Misdemeanor in Iowa under Iowa Code § 709.14.
Coercion to disrobe: Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 709.14(1)(b)) · Fondling/touching over clothing (minor age 14-15): Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 709.14(3)(b)) · Fondling/touching genitals or soliciting sex act (minor age 14-15): Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 709.14(4)(b))
What are the penalties for lascivious conduct with a minor in Iowa?
Penalties for lascivious conduct with a minor in Iowa depend on how it is classified — from a Serious Misdemeanor up to a Aggravated Misdemeanor — with the ranges set by Iowa Code § 903.1; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Iowa statute covers lascivious conduct with a minor?
Lascivious conduct with a minor is governed by Iowa Code § 709.14 (Lascivious conduct with a minor).
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.