Iowa criminal charge
Records filed with intent to harass or defraud in Iowa
Records filed with intent to harass or defraud is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 714.29. 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 § 714.29.
What is the penalty for records filed with intent to harass or defraud in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 30 days (First offense — Applies when the person violates subsection 1 for a first offense.; 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 (First offense — Applies when the person violates subsection 1 for a first offense.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 years (Second or subsequent offense — Applies when the person violates subsection 1 for a second or subsequent offense.; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (Second or subsequent offense — Applies when the person violates subsection 1 for a second or subsequent offense.; 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 records filed with intent to harass or defraud classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| First offense | Simple Misdemeanor | Applies when the person violates subsection 1 for a first offense. | Iowa Code § 714.29(2) |
| Second or subsequent offense | Serious Misdemeanor | Applies when the person violates subsection 1 for a second or subsequent offense. | Iowa Code § 714.29(2) |
Common questions about records filed with intent to harass or defraud in Iowa
Is records filed with intent to harass or defraud a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: records filed with intent to harass or defraud ranges from a Simple Misdemeanor to a Serious Misdemeanor in Iowa under Iowa Code § 714.29.
First offense: Simple Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 714.29(2)) · Second or subsequent offense: Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 714.29(2))
What are the penalties for records filed with intent to harass or defraud in Iowa?
Penalties for records filed with intent to harass or defraud in Iowa depend on how it is classified — from a Simple Misdemeanor up to a Serious 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 records filed with intent to harass or defraud?
Records filed with intent to harass or defraud is governed by Iowa Code § 714.29 (Records filed with intent to harass or defraud).
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.