Iowa criminal charge
Prohibited acts in Iowa
Prohibited acts is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 124.402. 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 § 124.402.
What is the penalty for prohibited acts in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 2 years (Violation of paragraphs a, b, d, or e — Applies when the violation of subsection 1 involves paragraph a (distributing/dispensing in violation of section 124.308), paragraph b (unauthorized manufacture or distribution by a registrant), paragraph d (refusing entry for inspection), or paragraph e (knowingly maintaining a place used for controlled substance violations).; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Violation of paragraphs a, b, d, or e — Applies when the violation of subsection 1 involves paragraph a (distributing/dispensing in violation of section 124.308), paragraph b (unauthorized manufacture or distribution by a registrant), paragraph d (refusing entry for inspection), or paragraph e (knowingly maintaining a place used for controlled substance violations).; 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 (Violation of paragraph c — Applies when the violation of subsection 1 involves paragraph c, the refusal or failure to make, keep, or furnish required records, notifications, order forms, statements, invoices, or information.; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (Violation of paragraph c — Applies when the violation of subsection 1 involves paragraph c, the refusal or failure to make, keep, or furnish required records, notifications, order forms, statements, invoices, or information.; 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 prohibited acts classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violation of paragraphs a, b, d, or e | Aggravated Misdemeanor | Applies when the violation of subsection 1 involves paragraph a (distributing/dispensing in violation of section 124.308), paragraph b (unauthorized manufacture or distribution by a registrant), paragraph d (refusing entry for inspection), or paragraph e (knowingly maintaining a place used for controlled substance violations). | Iowa Code § 124.402(2)(a) |
| Violation of paragraph c | Serious Misdemeanor | Applies when the violation of subsection 1 involves paragraph c, the refusal or failure to make, keep, or furnish required records, notifications, order forms, statements, invoices, or information. | Iowa Code § 124.402(2)(b) |
Common questions about prohibited acts in Iowa
Is prohibited acts a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: prohibited acts ranges from a Serious Misdemeanor to a Aggravated Misdemeanor in Iowa under Iowa Code § 124.402.
Violation of paragraphs a, b, d, or e: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 124.402(2)(a)) · Violation of paragraph c: Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 124.402(2)(b))
What are the penalties for prohibited acts in Iowa?
Penalties for prohibited acts 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 prohibited acts?
Prohibited acts is governed by Iowa Code § 124.402 (Prohibited acts — distributors — registrants — proprietors — penalties).
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.