Murder in Iowa law constitutes the intentional killing, under circumstances defined by law, of people within or under the jurisdiction of the U.S. state of Iowa.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in the year 2020, the state had one of the lowest murder rates in the country.[1]

Definitions

edit

First-degree murder

edit

The most serious homicide offense in Iowa is first-degree murder. It is defined as one of the following:

For adult offenders, first-degree murder is punishable only by life in prison without the possibility of parole. For juvenile offenders, it is punishable only by life-with-parole after 25 years.

Second-degree murder

edit

Second-degree murder in Iowa is defined as a murder which does not satisfy the first-degree murder standard of premeditated intent. It is punishable by up to 50 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after 70 percent of the sentence or less. It is punishable by life-without-parole for adults offenders who have been previously convicted of murder.

Penalties

edit
Offense Mandatory sentencing
Involuntary manslaughter Up to 5 years in prison
Voluntary manslaughter Up to 10 years in prison
Solicitation to commit murder
Homicide by vehicle Up to 25 years in prison
Second-degree murder
  • Up to 50 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after 70 percent of the sentence or less, or
  • Life-without-parole if the defendant is an adult who was previously convicted of murder
First-degree murder For adults:

Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, with first 5 years in solitary confinement

For juveniles:

Life-with-parole after 25 years

References

edit
  1. ^ "National Center for Health Statistics: Homicide Mortality by State". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 16, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.