Iowa criminal charge
Looting in Iowa
Looting is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 714.2C. 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 § 714.2C.
How is looting classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Looting in the first degree | Class “C” Felony | Applies when looted property exceeds ten thousand dollars in value, or when a person with a prior looting conviction in the first or second degree loots property not exceeding ten thousand dollars, or when any looting involves a dangerous weapon. | Iowa Code § 714.2C(2) |
| Looting in the second degree | Class “D” Felony | Applies when looted property exceeds one thousand dollars but does not exceed ten thousand dollars in value, or when a person with a prior looting conviction in the third degree loots property not exceeding one thousand dollars. | Iowa Code § 714.2C(3) |
| Looting in the third degree | Aggravated Misdemeanor | Applies when looted property exceeds three hundred dollars but does not exceed one thousand dollars in value. | Iowa Code § 714.2C(4) |
Common questions about looting in Iowa
Is looting a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: looting ranges from a Aggravated Misdemeanor to a Class “C” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 714.2C.
Looting in the first degree: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 714.2C(2)) · Looting in the second degree: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 714.2C(3)) · Looting in the third degree: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 714.2C(4))
Which Iowa statute covers looting?
Looting is governed by Iowa Code § 714.2C (Looting).
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.