Iowa criminal charge
Telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors in Iowa
Telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 728.15. 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 § 728.15.
What is the penalty for telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 2 years (Telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors - first offense — A violation of subsection 1 (knowingly disseminating obscene material to a minor or officer posing as a minor by telephone) is an aggravated misdemeanor.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors - first offense — A violation of subsection 1 (knowingly disseminating obscene material to a minor or officer posing as a minor by telephone) is an aggravated 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 5 years (Telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors - subsequent offense — A violation of subsection 1 by a person previously convicted of a violation of subsection 1 is a class D felony.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors - subsequent offense — A violation of subsection 1 by a person previously convicted of a violation of subsection 1 is a class D felony.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
Applies to current (2026 Iowa Code; fine levels per 2020 Acts ch 1074).
How is telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors - first offense | Aggravated Misdemeanor | A violation of subsection 1 (knowingly disseminating obscene material to a minor or officer posing as a minor by telephone) is an aggravated misdemeanor. | Iowa Code § 728.15(4)(a) |
| Telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors - subsequent offense | Class “D” Felony | A violation of subsection 1 by a person previously convicted of a violation of subsection 1 is a class D felony. | Iowa Code § 728.15(4)(b) |
Common questions about telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors in Iowa
Is telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors ranges from a Aggravated Misdemeanor to a Class “D” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 728.15.
Telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors - first offense: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 728.15(4)(a)) · Telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors - subsequent offense: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 728.15(4)(b))
What are the penalties for telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors in Iowa?
Which Iowa statute covers telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors?
Telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors is governed by Iowa Code § 728.15 (Telephone dissemination of obscene material to minors).
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.