Understanding Iowa criminal law often requires looking at several different sources. The resources below provide access to the Iowa court rules and sentencing materials commonly used in Iowa criminal cases.

Iowa Rules of Criminal Procedure

The Iowa Rules of Criminal Procedure govern how criminal cases proceed through the Iowa courts, including initial appearances, arraignment, discovery, depositions, pretrial motions, pleas, trials, sentencing, and speedy-trial requirements.

Iowa Rules of Criminal Procedure

Iowa Rules of Evidence

The Iowa Rules of Evidence govern what evidence may be admitted in court and how that evidence may be presented. They address subjects including hearsay, relevance, character evidence, privileges, expert testimony, authentication, and impeachment.

Iowa Rules of Evidence

Iowa Criminal Statutes Summary Charts

The Iowa Judicial Branch provides annual Criminal Statutes Summary Charts prepared by Judge Michael R. Mullins and Drake University Law School. The charts organize Iowa criminal offenses by Code section and summarize potential incarceration, fines, mandatory minimums, sentencing alternatives, enhancements, and other consequences.

Because criminal penalties can depend on the date an offense allegedly occurred, the Judicial Branch maintains charts from multiple years.

https://www.iowacourts.gov/static/media/cms/Iowa_Criminal_Statutes_Summary_Char_628399483D2DD.pdf