Iowa criminal charge
Theft detection devices in Iowa
Theft detection devices is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 714.7B. 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 § 714.7B.
What is the penalty for theft detection devices in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 years (Manufacture, sale, possession, use, or distribution of theft detection shielding device — A person violates subsection 1 (theft detection shielding device offenses) or subsection 3 (possession of tools to remove theft detection device).; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (Manufacture, sale, possession, use, or distribution of theft detection shielding device — A person violates subsection 1 (theft detection shielding device offenses) or subsection 3 (possession of tools to remove theft detection device).; 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 1 years (Possession of tool/instrument/device to remove theft detection device — A person violates subsection 3 by possessing a tool, instrument, or device with intent to unlawfully remove a theft detection device.; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (Possession of tool/instrument/device to remove theft detection device — A person violates subsection 3 by possessing a tool, instrument, or device with intent to unlawfully remove a theft detection device.; 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 30 days (Removal of theft detection device — value $300 or less — A person violates subsection 2 by removing a theft detection device with intent to commit theft where the value of the goods does not exceed three hundred dollars.; 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 (Removal of theft detection device — value $300 or less — A person violates subsection 2 by removing a theft detection device with intent to commit theft where the value of the goods does not exceed three hundred dollars.; 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 (Removal of theft detection device — value exceeds $300 — A person violates subsection 2 by removing a theft detection device with intent to commit theft where the value of the goods exceeds three hundred dollars.; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (Removal of theft detection device — value exceeds $300 — A person violates subsection 2 by removing a theft detection device with intent to commit theft where the value of the goods exceeds three hundred dollars.; 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 theft detection devices classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacture, sale, possession, use, or distribution of theft detection shielding device | Serious Misdemeanor | A person violates subsection 1 (theft detection shielding device offenses) or subsection 3 (possession of tools to remove theft detection device). | Iowa Code § 714.7B(5) |
| Possession of tool/instrument/device to remove theft detection device | Serious Misdemeanor | A person violates subsection 3 by possessing a tool, instrument, or device with intent to unlawfully remove a theft detection device. | Iowa Code § 714.7B(5) |
| Removal of theft detection device — value $300 or less | Simple Misdemeanor | A person violates subsection 2 by removing a theft detection device with intent to commit theft where the value of the goods does not exceed three hundred dollars. | Iowa Code § 714.7B(6)(a) |
| Removal of theft detection device — value exceeds $300 | Serious Misdemeanor | A person violates subsection 2 by removing a theft detection device with intent to commit theft where the value of the goods exceeds three hundred dollars. | Iowa Code § 714.7B(6)(b) |
Common questions about theft detection devices in Iowa
Is theft detection devices a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: theft detection devices ranges from a Simple Misdemeanor to a Serious Misdemeanor in Iowa under Iowa Code § 714.7B.
Manufacture, sale, possession, use, or distribution of theft detection shielding device: Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 714.7B(5)) · Possession of tool/instrument/device to remove theft detection device: Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 714.7B(5)) · Removal of theft detection device — value $300 or less: Simple Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 714.7B(6)(a)) · Removal of theft detection device — value exceeds $300: Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 714.7B(6)(b))
What are the penalties for theft detection devices in Iowa?
Penalties for theft detection devices 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 theft detection devices?
Theft detection devices is governed by Iowa Code § 714.7B (Theft detection devices — shield or removal prohibited).
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.