Iowa legal term
Crime in Iowa Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Iowa legislative session
In Iowa criminal law, “Crime” 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 “Crime” mean in Iowa criminal law?
“Crime” means conduct that occurs or is attempted in this state, poses a substantial threat of personal injury or death, and is punishable as a felony or misdemeanor, or would be so punishable but for the fact that the person engaging in the conduct lacked the capacity to commit the crime under the laws of this state. “Crime” does not include conduct arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle, motorcycle, motorized bicycle, train, boat, or aircraft except for violations of section 321.261, 321.277, 321J.2, 462A.7, 462A.12, 462A.14, or 707.6A, or when the intention is (Iowa Code § 915.80)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease
- Abuse of a corpse
- Assisting prisoner to escape
- Compounding a felony
- Conspiracy
- Disclosure of information concerning use of videotapes
- Permitting prisoner to escape
- Private transportation of prisoners
- Use of a dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime
- Continuous sexual abuse of a child
- Possession, receipt, transportation, or dominion and control of firearms, offensive weapons, and ammunition by felons and others
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.