Iowa Domestic Violence Law
Iowa Domestic Violence Defense
What you're facing under Iowa Code § 708.2A, how the penalties scale, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to Iowa (IA) domestic violence law.
Offense Class
Simple Misdemeanor (first without injury); Serious Misdemeanor (bodily injury or second offense); Aggravated Misdemeanor (injury with intent or serious injury); Class D Felony (third+ or strangulation)
Maximum Penalty
30 days (simple); 1 year (serious); 2 years (aggravated); 5 years (Class D)
Maximum Fine
$855 (simple); $1,875 (serious); $6,250 (aggravated); $7,500 (Class D)
Mandatory Minimum
Iowa imposes a mandatory minimum of Minimum 2 days (second offense); minimum 30 days (third+) for this charge. Charge reductions or alternative sentencing are questions worth raising before the plea is entered.
Federal Firearms Prohibition (Lautenberg Amendment)
A conviction for misdemeanor domestic violence in Iowa carries a federalfirearms-possession ban under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). This consequence is collateral to Iowa state penalties and applies regardless of the state sentence imposed.
Penalty Range in Iowa
Charge Enhancements
These factors can elevate the charge or penalty in Iowa:
- Bodily injury (Serious Misdemeanor)
- Injury with intent to cause serious injury (Aggravated Misdemeanor)
- Third or subsequent offense (Class D Felony)
- Strangulation or impeding breathing (Class D Felony)
Iowa-Specific Detail
Iowa has a specific domestic abuse assault statute. Mandatory arrest when officer has probable cause. No-contact orders automatically issued. Batterer's education program typically required.
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Important: This page provides legal INFORMATION about Iowa domestic violence law as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. The analysis draws on methods developed by defense attorneys, applied to public data. Your attorney remains the final authority on defense direction.