UNDERSTANDING IOWA’S DOMESTIC ASSAULT LAWS

Domestic Abuse is an assault between people in certain types of relationships.  This can include being married, divorced, living together or having lived together within 1 year before the assault took place, have a child together, or are in an intimate relationship.

If a person is accused of assault within a domestic relationship, the penalties may be enhanced.  Convictions for multiple “domestic” crimes may lead the charge being increase in its severity. Convictions of domestic type crimes also have minimum punishments that may include two days in jail and completion of the Batter’s Education Program.