Iowa criminal charge
Sexual exploitation of a minor in Iowa
Sexual exploitation of a minor is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 728.12. 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 § 728.12.
How is sexual exploitation of a minor classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employing/causing minor to engage in prohibited sexual act | Class “B” Felony | Employing, using, persuading, inducing, enticing, coercing, soliciting, permitting, or causing a minor or an officer posing as a minor to engage in or simulate a prohibited sexual act, knowing or intending it may be visually depicted. | Iowa Code § 728.12(1) |
| Promoting material depicting live performance of prohibited sexual act | Class “C” Felony | Knowingly promoting material visually depicting a live performance of a minor engaging in or simulating a prohibited sexual act. | Iowa Code § 728.12(2) |
| Purchase or possession of visual depiction — first offense | Class “D” Felony | Knowingly purchasing or possessing a visual depiction of a minor engaging in or simulating a prohibited sexual act, when it is the person's first such offense. | Iowa Code § 728.12(3)(c) |
| Purchase or possession of visual depiction — second or subsequent offense | Class “C” Felony | Knowingly purchasing or possessing a visual depiction of a minor engaging in or simulating a prohibited sexual act, when the person has a prior conviction or deferred judgment for the same or a substantially similar offense. | Iowa Code § 728.12(3)(c) |
Common questions about sexual exploitation of a minor in Iowa
Is sexual exploitation of a minor a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: sexual exploitation of a minor ranges from a Class “D” Felony to a Class “B” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 728.12.
Employing/causing minor to engage in prohibited sexual act: Class “B” Felony (Iowa Code § 728.12(1)) · Promoting material depicting live performance of prohibited sexual act: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 728.12(2)) · Purchase or possession of visual depiction — first offense: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 728.12(3)(c)) · Purchase or possession of visual depiction — second or subsequent offense: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 728.12(3)(c))
Which Iowa statute covers sexual exploitation of a minor?
Sexual exploitation of a minor is governed by Iowa Code § 728.12 (Sexual exploitation of a minor).
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.