Iowa criminal charge
Public indecent exposure in certain establishments in Iowa
Public indecent exposure in certain establishments is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 728.5. 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 § 728.5.
What is the penalty for public indecent exposure in certain establishments in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 years (General violation (a-f) — An owner, manager, or person exercising direct control over a place of business requiring a sales or use tax permit commits any of the acts listed in (1)(a) through (1)(f).; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (General violation (a-f) — An owner, manager, or person exercising direct control over a place of business requiring a sales or use tax permit commits any of the acts listed in (1)(a) through (1)(f).; 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 (Minor participation in acts (a)-(d) — If the person allows or permits a minor to participate in any act included in subsection 1, paragraphs a through d, rather than an adult, the classification is elevated.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Minor participation in acts (a)-(d) — If the person allows or permits a minor to participate in any act included in subsection 1, paragraphs a through d, rather than an adult, the classification is elevated.; 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 public indecent exposure in certain establishments classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| General violation (a-f) | Serious Misdemeanor | An owner, manager, or person exercising direct control over a place of business requiring a sales or use tax permit commits any of the acts listed in (1)(a) through (1)(f). | Iowa Code § 728.5(1) |
| Minor participation in acts (a)-(d) | Aggravated Misdemeanor | If the person allows or permits a minor to participate in any act included in subsection 1, paragraphs a through d, rather than an adult, the classification is elevated. | Iowa Code § 728.5(2) |
Common questions about public indecent exposure in certain establishments in Iowa
Is public indecent exposure in certain establishments a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: public indecent exposure in certain establishments ranges from a Serious Misdemeanor to a Aggravated Misdemeanor in Iowa under Iowa Code § 728.5.
General violation (a-f): Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 728.5(1)) · Minor participation in acts (a)-(d): Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 728.5(2))
What are the penalties for public indecent exposure in certain establishments in Iowa?
Penalties for public indecent exposure in certain establishments 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 public indecent exposure in certain establishments?
Public indecent exposure in certain establishments is governed by Iowa Code § 728.5 (Public indecent exposure in certain establishments).
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.