Iowa criminal charge
Surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft offense in Iowa
Surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft offense is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 715E.4. 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 § 715E.4.
What is the penalty for surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft offense in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 years (Surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft — base offense — A person who commits surveillance by the use of a remotely piloted aircraft is guilty of a serious misdemeanor.; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (Surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft — base offense — A person who commits surveillance by the use of a remotely piloted aircraft is guilty of a serious misdemeanor.; 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 (Surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft — prior conviction enhancement — A person who commits surveillance by the use of a remotely piloted aircraft is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor if previously convicted of intrusion by remotely piloted aircraft under section 715E.3 or of surveillance by remotely piloted aircraft under this section.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft — prior conviction enhancement — A person who commits surveillance by the use of a remotely piloted aircraft is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor if previously convicted of intrusion by remotely piloted aircraft under section 715E.3 or of surveillance by remotely piloted aircraft under this section.; 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 surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft offense classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft — base offense | Serious Misdemeanor | A person who commits surveillance by the use of a remotely piloted aircraft is guilty of a serious misdemeanor. | Iowa Code § 715E.4(2)(a) |
| Surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft — prior conviction enhancement | Aggravated Misdemeanor | A person who commits surveillance by the use of a remotely piloted aircraft is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor if previously convicted of intrusion by remotely piloted aircraft under section 715E.3 or of surveillance by remotely piloted aircraft under this section. | Iowa Code § 715E.4(2)(b) |
Common questions about surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft offense in Iowa
Is surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft offense a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft offense ranges from a Serious Misdemeanor to a Aggravated Misdemeanor in Iowa under Iowa Code § 715E.4.
Surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft — base offense: Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 715E.4(2)(a)) · Surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft — prior conviction enhancement: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 715E.4(2)(b))
What are the penalties for surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft offense in Iowa?
Penalties for surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft offense 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 surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft offense?
Surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft offense is governed by Iowa Code § 715E.4 (Surveillance by use of remotely piloted aircraft offense).
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.