First Degree Felony in Iowa

Iowa law does not use the term “first-degree felony”. Instead, it applies a class-based system. At the highest level is the Class A felony, which carries the most severe sentences and consequences. Under Iowa Code § 701.7, felonies are divided into four classes in descending order of severity: Class A, B, C, and D. The penalties imposed depend on the types of crimes and any significant aggravating circumstances.

A Class A felony represents the most serious felony category in Iowa due to its extreme punishment and the grave nature of the crimes it covers. The law mandates a sentence of life imprisonment without parole or alternative sentencing options. By contrast, lower felony classes carry fixed maximum terms of years, which allow for eventual release and may include parole or other sentencing alternatives.

Public Access to First Degree Felony Records in Iowa

In Iowa, first-degree (Class A) felony records are public documents. Like other criminal case files, they are available to the public under Iowa Code Chapter 22 (Open Records Act) and Chapter 16 of the Iowa Court Rules. However, public access to Class A felony conviction records may be restricted in certain situations, including:

• Sealed or expunged records
• Juvenile proceedings
• Sensitive details, such as victim identities or personal identifiers
• Files related to ongoing investigations.

The public may obtain access to Iowa Class A felony records through the following channels:

Iowa Courts Online

The Iowa Judicial Branch offers a free online portal that permits users to search criminal case records by name, case number, or attorney. This public database displays details such as case status, charges filed, and the final dispositions.

Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)

Under Iowa Code Chapter 692, the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is authorized to release Criminal History Information to the public. Individuals may request a record of a person’s conviction history by submitting a request to the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s DCI. Each request must include the subject’s full name, date of birth, and a $15 fee per record check. To obtain a complete record, the requester must also provide a signed release authorization form.

County Clerk of Court Office

To obtain more detailed or specific Class A felony records, individuals can visit the clerk of court in the county where the case was filed and request physical or electronic copies.

Third-Party Websites

Certain private websites gather and compile public record information from various sources, including court records. While these platforms may offer convenience, they often lack the accuracy and completeness of official criminal records.

Common Crimes Classified as First Degree Felonies in Iowa

In Iowa, a Class A felony represents the most serious crime classification and is typically reserved for offenses involving extreme violence or significant harm to victims and society. These crimes are usually prosecuted at the highest level under Iowa law and include:

• Murder in the First Degree: Classified as a Class A felony under Iowa Code § 707.2 when it involves premeditated killings or occurs during the commission of a forcible felony, such as robbery, sexual assault, or kidnapping.
• First-Degree Kidnapping: Considered a Class A felony pursuant to Iowa Code § 710.2 when the kidnapping involves serious injury, torture, or other aggravating factors.
• First-Degree Sexual Abuse: Defined as a Class A felony according to Iowa Code § 709.2 when the sexual abuse occurs under aggravating conditions, such as causing serious injury or involving vulnerable victims.
• Human Trafficking: Human trafficking is elevated to a Class A felony if the victim is under 18, suffers serious physical injury, or dies as a result (Iowa Code § 710A.2).

The 2024 statistics from the Iowa Department of Public Safety's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program indicate a decline in overall crime, including Class A and forcible felonies, compared to 2023. This downward trend in crime rates is apparent across multiple types of offenses, as reflected in the data table.

Prison Sentences and Fines for First Degree Felonies in Iowa

In Iowa, the penalties for a Class A felony, as outlined in Iowa Code § 902.1, include:

• A person convicted of a Class A felony must be committed to the custody of the director of the Iowa Department of Corrections for the remainder of their life.
• Individuals convicted of a Class A felony are not eligible for parole unless the Governor commutes the sentence to a term of years.
• The statute also makes clear that suspended sentences and deferred judgments are not permitted for Class A felony convictions.

The law provides an exception for offenders under 18 at the time of the crime. In such cases, the court sentences them to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after a minimum term, typically 25 years. This provision aligns with U.S. Supreme Court rulings on juvenile sentencing. Unlike other felony classes that require mandatory fines, the court usually does not impose an additional fine for a Class A felony conviction, since the life sentence serves as the ultimate penalty. However, the court may order the offender to pay the victim’s family restitution.

Although aggravating factors like weapon use or habitual offender status do not extend a Class A felony’s life sentence, they remove any chance of reduced sentencing options.

What is the Maximum Sentence for a First Degree Felony in Iowa?

Iowa’s law classifies a first-degree felony as a Class A felony. Under Iowa Code § 902.1, the court sentences an adult convicted of this offense to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, the most severe penalty available. If the offender was under 18 at the time of the crime, the court applies an exception and may impose a life sentence with parole eligibility after a minimum term, usually set at 25 years. This sentencing structure ensures that Iowa law complies with U.S. Supreme Court rulings on juvenile offenders.

While aggravating factors such as weapon use, habitual offender status, or hate crime designation can increase penalties for other felony classes, they do not extend the life sentence for a Class A felony. Instead, these factors eliminate any possibility of reduced sentencing options. For instance, a habitual offender enhancement can lengthen the penalty for a Class C or D felony, but for a Class A felony, the life sentence already represents the maximum punishment.

What is First Degree Murder in Iowa?

First-degree murder is classified as a Class A felony, the most serious category under Iowa law. Iowa Code § 707.2 outlines the circumstances that elevate a killing to this level, including:

• A willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing
• Causing another person’s death while committing a forcible felony, such as robbery, burglary, kidnapping, or sexual assault
• The intentional killing of a peace officer, correctional officer, or public employee while on duty or in custody
• The killing of a child while committing child endangerment or assault, in circumstances that display extreme indifference to human life and result in death
• Killing another person while committing an act of terrorism.

A murder conviction in Iowa results in a mandatory life sentence without parole, unless the Governor reduces the sentence to a term of years under Iowa Code § 902.1. The sole exception applies to juvenile offenders: in these cases, the court may impose a life sentence with the possibility of parole after a minimum term, typically 25 years, to comply with U.S. Supreme Court rulings on juvenile sentencing.

Can First Degree Felony Records Be Sealed or Expunged in Iowa?

While Iowa law allows criminal records to be expunged in certain limited cases, first-degree felony convictions (Class A felonies) cannot be sealed or expunged unless the charges were dismissed or did not lead to an adjudication. Iowa’s policy keeps records of the most serious criminal convictions public to promote transparency and protect public safety.

Under Iowa law, expungement is a court-ordered process that removes a criminal case from public access. Although the record remains available to law enforcement and the courts, it is not accessible to the general public. Sealing is typically applied to juvenile records to protect a minor’s identity and future opportunities. For Class A felonies, which carry a life sentence without parole, the conviction is permanent, and Iowa law provides no procedure to remove such serious offenses from a person’s record.

In Iowa, the availability of expungement and sealing is limited and applies only in specific situations, including:

• Deferred judgments (Iowa Code § 907.9)
• Acquittals or dismissed charges (Iowa Code § 901C.2)
• Certain misdemeanors (Iowa Code § 901C.3)
• Juvenile records (Iowa Code Chapter 232).

Difference Between First Degree and Second Degree Felonies in Iowa

In Iowa, the distinction between a first-degree felony (Class A felony) and a second-degree felony (Class B felony) lies in their severity, sentencing, and the types of offenses they encompass.

First-degree felonies (Class A offenses)

Under Iowa law, a Class A felony represents the most serious level of crime, reserved for the gravest offenses. According to Iowa Code § 902.1, an adult convicted of a Class A felony must serve a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. Juvenile offenders may be sentenced to life with parole eligibility after serving a minimum term, typically 25 years. No additional fines apply to Class A felony convictions, as the life sentence is considered the ultimate punishment. This sentence is mandatory, leaving no room for judicial discretion to impose a lesser penalty. Common examples of Class A felonies include first-degree murder, first-degree sexual abuse, and first-degree kidnapping.

Second-degree felonies (Class B Offenses)

In Iowa, Class B felonies represent the second most serious category of felonies. They carry a maximum prison sentence of 25 years under Iowa Code § 902.9, with parole eligibility determined at the court’s discretion. Sentences may be lengthened if aggravating factors are present, such as prior convictions, the use of a weapon, or other enhancing circumstances. Common examples of Class B felonies include:

• Sexual abuse in the second degree (Iowa Code § 709.3)
• Second-degree murder (Iowa Code § 707.3)
• First-degree robbery (Iowa Code § 711.2)
• Arson in the first degree (Iowa Code § 712.2)
• First-degree burglary (Iowa Code § 713.3)
• Terrorism (Iowa Code § 708A.2).

Notwithstanding the sentencing provisions under Iowa Code § 902.9, a conviction for terrorism carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 50 years.

Statute of Limitations for First Degree Felony Charges in Iowa

A statute of limitations is a law that establishes a deadline for prosecutors to file criminal charges after an alleged offense occurs. Its purpose is to:

• Promote fairness in the justice system by encouraging timely prosecution
• Prevent the loss or deterioration of evidence over time
• Protect individuals from facing an indefinite threat of criminal charges.

According to Iowa Code § 802, Class A felonies, including first-degree murder and other crimes punishable by life imprisonment, have no statute of limitations. This allows prosecutors to bring charges at any time, regardless of how much time has elapsed since the offense. For other crimes, Iowa law establishes specific limitation periods, typically ranging from three years for most felonies to ten years for certain sexual offenses.

Probation and Parole Eligibility for First Degree Felonies in Iowa

In Iowa, individuals convicted of first-degree (Class A) felonies that carry a life sentence are not eligible for probation. The law prohibits substituting probation for prison in offenses such as:

• First-degree murder
• First-degree sexual abuse
• Aggravated human trafficking
• First-degree kidnapping.

Under Iowa law, adults convicted of first-degree murder or other Class A felonies carrying a life sentence face mandatory life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The only avenue for release is through a successful commutation granted by the governor. Iowa Code § 902.2 details the procedure for seeking a commutation. Inmates may apply for a commutation no more than once every ten years. The Iowa Board of Parole conducts an investigation and provides a recommendation, but the governor holds the ultimate authority to grant or deny the request.

When the offender was under 18 at the time of the crime, the court may sentence them to life imprisonment with parole eligibility after serving a minimum term, usually 25 years, in accordance with U.S. Supreme Court rulings on juvenile sentencing. Once the minimum term is served, the Iowa Board of Parole reviews the case and determines whether to grant release. Parole is not guaranteed; the board evaluates factors such as the offender’s rehabilitation, behavior in prison, and potential risk to public safety.

Impact of a First Degree Felony Conviction on Criminal Records in Iowa

Iowa classifies a first-degree (Class A) felony conviction as one of the most serious offenses. Courts and public records maintain these convictions permanently for adults, making them fully accessible in criminal background checks, except for juvenile cases, in which files may be sealed.

Even if an individual is released through a commutation, the public record can make it difficult for them to hold public office, serve on a jury, or vote. Additionally, a Class A felony conviction in Iowa can limit employment opportunities, particularly in fields such as education, healthcare, law enforcement, and finance.

Additionally, a person convicted of a Class A felony may be denied housing, as background checks typically disclose the conviction. Non-citizens may also face deportation or be denied naturalization. Furthermore, under Iowa Code § 914.7, anyone convicted of a forcible felony, including a Class A felony, is ineligible to have their firearm rights restored.