Iowa legal term
Abuse in Iowa Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Iowa legislative session
In Iowa criminal law, “Abuse” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Iowa criminal code.
What does “Abuse” mean in Iowa criminal law?
“Abuse” means the infliction of physical harm or the deprivation of goods or services that are necessary to meet essential needs or to avoid physical harm or psychological harm. b. “Caregiver” means an individual who has the responsibility for the care or custody of an older individual, whether voluntarily, by contract, by receipt of payment for care, or as a result of the operation of law, and includes but is not limited to a family member or other individual who provides, whether on the individual’s own behalf or on behalf of a public or private entity, compensated or uncompensated care to a (Iowa Code § 726.24)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.