Iowa criminal charge
Organized retail theft in Iowa
Organized retail theft is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 714.2B. 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 § 714.2B.
What is the penalty for organized retail theft in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Organized retail theft (over $5,000) — The value of the property stolen exceeds five thousand dollars.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,370 to $13,660 (Organized retail theft (over $5,000) — The value of the property stolen exceeds five thousand dollars.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 2 years (Organized retail theft ($500 or less with prior qualifying conviction) — The value of the property is five hundred dollars or less and the offense occurs within ten years of a previous qualifying felony or aggravated misdemeanor conviction.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Organized retail theft ($500 or less with prior qualifying conviction) — The value of the property is five hundred dollars or less and the offense occurs within ten years of a previous qualifying felony or aggravated misdemeanor conviction.; 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 (Organized retail theft ($500 or less) — The value of the property stolen is five hundred dollars or less.; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (Organized retail theft ($500 or less) — The value of the property stolen is five hundred dollars or less.; 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 organized retail theft classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organized retail theft (over $5,000) | Class “C” Felony | The value of the property stolen exceeds five thousand dollars. | Iowa Code § 714.2B(3)(a) |
| Organized retail theft ($500 or less with prior qualifying conviction) | Aggravated Misdemeanor | The value of the property is five hundred dollars or less and the offense occurs within ten years of a previous qualifying felony or aggravated misdemeanor conviction. | Iowa Code § 714.2B(3)(c)(2) |
| Organized retail theft ($500 or less) | Serious Misdemeanor | The value of the property stolen is five hundred dollars or less. | Iowa Code § 714.2B(3)(d) |
Common questions about organized retail theft in Iowa
Is organized retail theft a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: organized retail theft ranges from a Serious Misdemeanor to a Class “C” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 714.2B.
Organized retail theft (over $5,000): Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 714.2B(3)(a)) · Organized retail theft ($500 or less with prior qualifying conviction): Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 714.2B(3)(c)(2)) · Organized retail theft ($500 or less): Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 714.2B(3)(d))
What are the penalties for organized retail theft in Iowa?
Which Iowa statute covers organized retail theft?
Organized retail theft is governed by Iowa Code § 714.2B (Organized retail theft).
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.