Iowa criminal charge
Penalties for assault in Iowa
Penalties for assault is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 708.2. 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 § 708.2.
What is the penalty for penalties for assault in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 2 years (Assault with intent to inflict serious injury — The person commits an assault with the intent to inflict a serious injury upon another.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Assault with intent to inflict serious injury — The person commits an assault with the intent to inflict a serious injury upon another.; 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 (Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness — The person commits an assault and causes bodily injury or mental illness.; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness — The person commits an assault and causes bodily injury or mental illness.; 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 (Assault with use or display of a dangerous weapon — The person commits an assault and uses or displays a dangerous weapon in connection with it, unless section 708.6 or 708.8 applies.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Assault with use or display of a dangerous weapon — The person commits an assault and uses or displays a dangerous weapon in connection with it, unless section 708.6 or 708.8 applies.; 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 (Dangerous weapon assault against a pregnant person — The person commits the dangerous-weapon assault described in subsection (3) against a person the person knows or reasonably should know is pregnant.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Dangerous weapon assault against a pregnant person — The person commits the dangerous-weapon assault described in subsection (3) against a person the person knows or reasonably should know is pregnant.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Assault causing serious injury without intent — The person commits an assault without intent to inflict serious injury but the assault causes serious injury.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Assault causing serious injury without intent — The person commits an assault without intent to inflict serious injury but the assault causes serious injury.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Assault with object penetration — The person commits an assault and uses any object to penetrate the genitalia or anus of another 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 (Assault with object penetration — The person commits an assault and uses any object to penetrate the genitalia or anus of another person.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 30 days (General/residual assault — The assault does not fall under any of the other specifically enumerated classifications.; may be ordered in lieu of or in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(a))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $105 to $855 (General/residual assault — The assault does not fall under any of the other specifically enumerated classifications.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); jail may be ordered in lieu of the fine; §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 penalties for assault classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assault with intent to inflict serious injury | Aggravated Misdemeanor | The person commits an assault with the intent to inflict a serious injury upon another. | Iowa Code § 708.2(1) |
| Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness | Serious Misdemeanor | The person commits an assault and causes bodily injury or mental illness. | Iowa Code § 708.2(2) |
| Assault with use or display of a dangerous weapon | Aggravated Misdemeanor | The person commits an assault and uses or displays a dangerous weapon in connection with it, unless section 708.6 or 708.8 applies. | Iowa Code § 708.2(3) |
| Dangerous weapon assault against a pregnant person | Class “D” Felony | The person commits the dangerous-weapon assault described in subsection (3) against a person the person knows or reasonably should know is pregnant. | Iowa Code § 708.2(4) |
| Assault causing serious injury without intent | Class “D” Felony | The person commits an assault without intent to inflict serious injury but the assault causes serious injury. | Iowa Code § 708.2(5) |
| Assault with object penetration | Class “C” Felony | The person commits an assault and uses any object to penetrate the genitalia or anus of another person. | Iowa Code § 708.2(6) |
| General/residual assault | Simple Misdemeanor | The assault does not fall under any of the other specifically enumerated classifications. | Iowa Code § 708.2(7) |
Common questions about penalties for assault in Iowa
Is penalties for assault a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: penalties for assault ranges from a Simple Misdemeanor to a Class “C” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 708.2.
Assault with intent to inflict serious injury: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 708.2(1)) · Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness: Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 708.2(2)) · Assault with use or display of a dangerous weapon: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 708.2(3)) · Dangerous weapon assault against a pregnant person: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 708.2(4)) · Assault causing serious injury without intent: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 708.2(5)) · Assault with object penetration: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 708.2(6)) · General/residual assault: Simple Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 708.2(7))
What are the penalties for penalties for assault in Iowa?
Which Iowa statute covers penalties for assault?
Penalties for assault is governed by Iowa Code § 708.2 (Penalties for assault).
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.