Iowa
Iowa Theft Laws: Felony Threshold, Degrees and Shoplifting (2026)
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 14, 2026). · 21 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
In Iowa, theft becomes a felony when the property is worth more than $1,500. Theft of property "exceeding one thousand five hundred dollars but not exceeding ten thousand dollars in value" is theft in the second degree, a class D felony, and theft of property exceeding $10,000, or of property taken from the person of another, is theft in the first degree, a class C felony (Iowa Code 714.2(1), (2)). Iowa has no separate shoplifting crime: taking goods from a store is theft under Iowa Code 714.1, graded by the same five degrees. For other states, see our guide to theft laws by state.
Information last verified on 2026-10-13. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.
Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Iowa's theft statutes in Iowa Code chapter 714 (Theft, Fraud, and Related Offenses), aggravated theft in section 711.3B, the sentencing sections in chapters 902 and 903, the shoplifting detention rule in section 808.12, and the merchant's civil action in chapter 645. It does not cover federal theft offenses, city or county ordinances, robbery, burglary, or identity theft and fraud schemes, which have their own pages linked below.
How Iowa defines theft
Iowa folds many kinds of taking into one offense. Under Iowa Code 714.1, "A person commits theft when the person does any of the following," and the section then lists ten kinds of conduct. The first is the classic case: a person who "Takes possession or control of the property of another, or property in the possession of another, with the intent to deprive the other thereof."
The same section also makes these theft:
- Misappropriating property held in trust or in the person's possession, including concealing found property when the owner is known (714.1(2)).
- Obtaining labor, services or property by deception (714.1(3)). Where payment is ordinarily due immediately, "the refusal to pay or leaving the premises without payment or offer to pay" gives rise to an inference that the goods or services were obtained by deception.
- Exercising control over stolen property, "knowing such property to have been stolen, or having reasonable cause to believe that such property has been stolen" (714.1(4)).
- Writing a check the person knows will not be paid, and obtaining property or services for it (714.1(6)).
- Unauthorized utility, cable or telephone connections (714.1(7)), unauthorized computer access to obtain services, information or property (714.1(8)), and keeping rental video or equipment property with intent to deprive the owner (714.1(9)).
Iowa does not use the terms "petty theft" or "grand theft." The law speaks of theft in the first through fifth degree.
How value is measured, and when thefts are added together
Under Iowa Code 714.3(1), "The value of property is its highest value by any reasonable standard at the time that it is stolen. Reasonable standard includes but is not limited to market value within the community, actual value, or replacement value."
Separate thefts can be added together. Under 714.3(2), if property is stolen "from the same person or location by two or more acts, or from different persons by two or more acts which occur in approximately the same location or time period, or from different locations by two or more acts within a thirty-day period, so that the thefts are attributable to a single scheme, plan, or conspiracy, these acts may be considered a single theft and the value may be the total value of all the property stolen."
What is the felony theft threshold in Iowa?
The felony line is property "exceeding one thousand five hundred dollars" in value (Iowa Code 714.2(2)). Because the statute says "exceeding," property worth exactly $1,500 is still third-degree theft, a misdemeanor. The same wording governs every tier: exactly $750 is fourth-degree theft and exactly $300 is fifth-degree theft.
Some thefts are felonies regardless of the $1,500 line:
- Property taken from the person. Theft "of property from the person of another" is first-degree theft, a class C felony, at any value (714.2(1)).
- Disaster areas. Theft from "a building which has been destroyed or left unoccupied because of physical disaster, riot, bombing, or the proximity of battle," or of property removed from a building for those reasons, is also first-degree theft (714.2(1)).
- Motor vehicles. Theft "of a motor vehicle as defined in chapter 321 not exceeding ten thousand dollars in value" is second-degree theft, a class D felony (714.2(2)). The statute adds that "motor vehicle" here "does not include a motorized bicycle as defined in section 321.1, subsection 40, paragraph 'b'."
- Older victims. Theft against a person 60 or older moves the felony line down to more than $750, and makes a third-degree repeat theft (any value up to $750 after two prior theft convictions) a class D felony (see below).
Iowa theft grading table
| Value or circumstance | Offense and class | Statutory penalty range |
|---|---|---|
| $300 or less | Theft in the fifth degree, simple misdemeanor (714.2(5)) | Fine of $105 to $855; up to 30 days in jail in lieu of or in addition to a fine (903.1(1)(a)) |
| Over $300 up to $750 | Theft in the fourth degree, serious misdemeanor (714.2(4)) | Fine of $430 to $2,560; up to 1 year in jail (903.1(1)(b)) |
| Over $750 up to $1,500, or any theft of $750 or less by someone twice before convicted of theft | Theft in the third degree, aggravated misdemeanor (714.2(3)) | Up to 2 years; fine of $855 to $8,540 (903.1(2)) |
| Over $1,500 up to $10,000, or a motor vehicle worth up to $10,000 | Theft in the second degree, class D felony (714.2(2)) | Up to 5 years; fine of $1,025 to $10,245 (902.9(1)(e)) |
| Over $10,000, property taken from the person, or theft from a building destroyed or left unoccupied because of disaster, riot, bombing or battle | Theft in the first degree, class C felony (714.2(1)) | Up to 10 years; fine of $1,370 to $13,660 (902.9(1)(d)) |
The ranges come from Iowa Code 903.1 (misdemeanors) and 902.9 (felonies). For class C and D felonies the fine is mandatory: the person "shall be sentenced to a fine of at least" the minimum shown. Court surcharges under chapter 911 are added on top and "are not a part of or subject to the maximums" in these sections (902.9(2); 903.1(4)).
These are the ordinary statutory ranges, not a prediction of any sentence, and they can rise. Under Iowa Code 902.8 as amended by 2026 Iowa Acts, House File 2542 (effective July 1, 2026), a person "convicted of a class 'C' or a class 'D' felony, who has twice before been convicted of any felony" is a habitual offender, "shall serve a minimum of seven years of the sentence imposed," and under 902.9(1)(c) may be confined for no more than twenty years.
Repeat thefts
The general grading section has one repeat-offense rule, and it stops short of a felony. Theft "of any property not exceeding seven hundred fifty dollars in value by one who has before been twice convicted of theft, is theft in the third degree. Theft in the third degree is an aggravated misdemeanor" (714.2(3)). The prior-conviction routes to a felony sit in the separate organized retail theft and aggravated theft sections described below, in the habitual offender rule above, and in the older-victim rule (714.2A), which makes that repeat third-degree theft a class D felony when the victim is 60 or older.
Theft against an older person
Iowa Code 714.2A applies when a person "commits theft against an individual who was an older individual at the time the theft was committed and knew or should have known the conduct was directed at an older individual." An "older individual" is someone "sixty years of age or older." Each degree then moves up:
- First-degree theft becomes a class B felony.
- Second-degree theft becomes a class C felony.
- Third-degree theft (over $750 up to $1,500, or $750 or less by someone twice before convicted of theft) becomes a class D felony.
- Fourth-degree theft becomes an aggravated misdemeanor.
- Fifth-degree theft becomes a serious misdemeanor.
Under 902.9(1)(b), "A class 'B' felon shall be confined for no more than twenty-five years."
Is shoplifting a felony in Iowa?
Shoplifting is graded like any other theft under Iowa Code 714.2. Goods worth $1,500 or less are a misdemeanor (fifth, fourth or third degree by value); goods worth more than $1,500 are second-degree theft, a class D felony; goods worth more than $10,000 are first-degree theft, a class C felony. The grading section sets no special grade for a first offense.
Burglary can also reach store theft in some situations. Under Iowa Code 713.1, a person commits burglary who, "having the intent to commit a felony, assault or theft therein," and without right, license or privilege, "enters an occupied structure, such occupied structure not being open to the public, or who remains therein after it is closed to the public or after the person's right, license or privilege to be there has expired," or who breaks an occupied structure with that intent. A store is an occupied structure because it is "occupied by persons for the purpose of carrying on business" (702.12). Burglary of that kind is a felony regardless of the value taken: third-degree burglary, the default grade, "is a class 'D' felony" (713.6A), and burglary of a structure where people are present, without a weapon or injury, is second-degree burglary, a class C felony (713.5).
Concealment matters as evidence. Under Iowa Code 714.5(1), the fact that a person "has concealed ... unpurchased property of a store or other mercantile establishment, either on the premises or outside the premises, is material evidence of intent to deprive the owner," and so is finding such property "concealed upon the person or among the belongings of the person."
Several retail-specific rules can change the grade:
- Aggravated theft (Iowa Code 711.3B). A person commits aggravated theft by committing a simple-misdemeanor assault "after the person has removed or attempted to remove property not exceeding three hundred dollars in value which has not been purchased from a store or mercantile establishment, or has concealed such property." It is an aggravated misdemeanor, and a class D felony if the person "has previously been convicted of an aggravated theft, robbery in the first degree ... robbery in the second degree ... or extortion." A deferred judgment for one of those offenses, and an equivalent out-of-state conviction or deferred judgment, counts as a previous offense (711.3B(3)).
- Theft detection devices (714.7B). Making, selling, possessing or using a theft detection shielding device, or possessing a tool to remove a detection device, is a serious misdemeanor. Removing a detection device "with the intent of committing a theft" is a simple misdemeanor if the merchandise is worth $300 or less and a serious misdemeanor above $300.
- Pseudoephedrine (714.7C). A simple-misdemeanor theft of a product containing pseudoephedrine from a retailer is a serious misdemeanor instead.
- Motor fuel (714.7D). On a second or later fifth-degree conviction for theft of motor fuel from a retail dealer, "the court may order the state department of transportation to suspend the driver's license or nonresident operating privilege of the convicted person for up to thirty days in lieu of, or in addition to, a fine or imprisonment."
Organized retail theft
Iowa Code 714.2B, added in 2024, targets resale rings. A person commits organized retail theft when the person is "employed by or associated with a retail theft enterprise" (two or more people with a shared goal of removing a retailer's merchandise), "has previously engaged in a pattern of retail theft" (at least two qualifying acts in the preceding six months), commits or directs a qualifying retail theft, and the person or another member sells, intends to sell, advertises, displays or returns the stolen merchandise "for anything of value."
| Value or circumstance | Class |
|---|---|
| More than $5,000 | Class C felony (714.2B(3)(a)) |
| More than $1,000 up to $5,000; or more than $500 up to $1,000 with at least two prior qualifying convictions that drew a felony or aggravated misdemeanor sentence, two of them within the previous ten years | Class D felony (714.2B(3)(b)) |
| More than $500 up to $1,000; or $500 or less within ten years of a prior qualifying conviction that drew a felony or aggravated misdemeanor sentence | Aggravated misdemeanor (714.2B(3)(c)) |
| $500 or less | Serious misdemeanor (714.2B(3)(d)) |
Merchandise received "within any six-month period may be aggregated," and the case may be brought in any county where one of the offenses happened (714.2B(4)). If the offense "creates a reasonably foreseeable risk of bodily harm to another," it is classified and punished one degree higher (714.2B(5)).
Store detention and search
Under Iowa Code 808.12(1), a person concealing property as described in 711.3B or 714.5 "may be detained and searched by a peace officer, person employed in a facility containing library materials, merchant, or merchant's employee, provided that the detention is for a reasonable length of time and that the search is conducted in a reasonable manner by a person of the same sex." Only someone acting under a peace officer's direction may search the person, unless "permission of the one to be searched has first been obtained" (808.12(2)). The merchant is not liable for false arrest or false imprisonment if it "had reasonable grounds to believe the person detained or searched had concealed or was attempting to conceal property" (808.12(3)).
Can a store demand money after shoplifting in Iowa?
Iowa Code chapter 645, Recovery of Merchandise or Damages, gives a store owner a civil action. Under 645.3(1), a person who "knowingly and without claim of right wrongfully appropriates, takes possession of, or alters the price indicia of merchandise of a mercantile establishment without the consent of the owner and with the intent to convert the merchandise to the person's own use without having paid the full purchase price for it, is liable for":
- "The return of the merchandise or the purchase price of the merchandise, provided that the merchandise is not evidence in a criminal proceeding under chapter 714."
- "Actual damages for any decrease in value of the merchandise returned."
- "The greater of fifty dollars or actual costs, not to exceed two hundred dollars, incurred by the owner in recovering the merchandise or damages pursuant to this chapter."
Other parts of the chapter set its limits and reach:
- No conviction needed. "A conviction under chapter 714 is not required as a condition precedent to the maintenance of an action pursuant to this chapter" (645.2(2)). The owner may sue in small claims court if the claim fits within its limits (645.2(1)).
- Restitution offset. Damages "shall be reduced by any amount received by the owner pursuant to court ordered restitution" (645.3(2)).
- Parents of minors. Parents of an unemancipated child under 18 are liable for a judgment against the child "in accordance with, and subject to the limits established in, section 613.16" (645.3(3)). Section 613.16 caps a parent's liability at "two thousand dollars for any one act" and "five thousand dollars, payable to the same claimant, for two or more acts."
The statute sets what a store owner can recover in court. Whether a particular demand letter matches it is a question for a lawyer licensed in Iowa.
Recent changes to Iowa theft law
- 2026. House File 2542 (2026 Iowa Acts) amended the habitual offender rules effective July 1, 2026: the maximum for a habitual offender rose from fifteen to twenty years (902.9(1)(c)), and the minimum a habitual offender must serve before parole eligibility rose from three to seven years, which earned time does not reduce (902.8).
- 2025. 2025 Iowa Acts, chapter 17 added Iowa Code 714.2D, crimes involving gift cards.
- 2024. 2024 Iowa Acts, chapter 1045 added organized retail theft (714.2B), and chapter 1085 added the looting offense (714.2C).
- 2022. 2022 Iowa Acts, chapter 1132 added the older-individual enhancement (714.2A).
- The value tiers in 714.2 were last amended by 2020 Iowa Acts, chapter 1044.
Other theft offenses with their own grades
Iowa Code chapter 714 also contains these offenses, each graded separately from the five degrees of theft:
| Section | Offense | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 714.2C | Looting (unauthorized entry of a dwelling, business, vehicle or other structure, acting jointly with others, and taking or damaging property) | First degree (over $10,000, a repeat looting conviction, or a dangerous weapon): class C felony with a 5-year mandatory minimum and a fine of $1,000 to $10,000. Second degree (over $1,000 up to $10,000, or a repeat third-degree conviction): class D felony with a mandatory minimum of one and one-half years and a fine of $650 to $7,500. Third degree (over $300 up to $1,000): aggravated misdemeanor. Injured owners may sue for up to three times actual damages. |
| 714.2D | Acquiring or keeping a gift card or its redemption information without consent, with intent to defraud | Aggravated misdemeanor. Using a gift card obtained that way: class C felony over $5,000, class D felony over $1,000 up to $5,000, aggravated misdemeanor over $500 up to $1,000, serious misdemeanor at $500 or less. |
| 714.7 | Operating a vehicle, aircraft or motor boat without the owner's consent, but without intent to permanently deprive | Aggravated misdemeanor |
| 714.7B | Theft detection shielding devices and device removal | Serious misdemeanor; removal is a simple misdemeanor at $300 or less |
| 714.7C | Simple-misdemeanor theft of a pseudoephedrine product from a retailer | Serious misdemeanor |
Related legal issues
Theft by deception is part of Iowa's theft statute, but broader schemes and the fraudulent practice offenses are covered in our guide to Iowa scam and fraud laws. Misusing someone's identifying information is a separate crime, covered in Iowa identity theft laws. For clearing a theft record, see Iowa expungement laws, and for filing deadlines see the Iowa statute of limitations guide. Federal theft offenses are covered on our theft laws hub.
Related
- Theft laws by state
- Iowa scam and fraud laws
- Iowa identity theft laws
- Iowa expungement laws
- Iowa statute of limitations
This article provides general legal information about Iowa theft and shoplifting statutes as of October 13, 2026. It is not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Iowa.
Last updated: 2026-10-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the felony theft threshold in Iowa?
Theft is a felony in Iowa when the property is worth more than $1,500. Over $1,500 up to $10,000 is second-degree theft, a class D felony, and over $10,000 is first-degree theft, a class C felony (Iowa Code 714.2(1), (2)).
Is stealing $1,500 a felony in Iowa?
No. The second-degree tier starts at property exceeding $1,500, so theft of exactly $1,500 is third-degree theft, an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by up to 2 years and a fine of $855 to $8,540 (Iowa Code 714.2(3); 903.1(2)).
What is the penalty for petty theft in Iowa?
Theft of property worth $300 or less is fifth-degree theft, a simple misdemeanor, with a fine of $105 to $855 and up to 30 days in jail in lieu of or in addition to the fine (Iowa Code 714.2(5); 903.1(1)(a)).
Is shoplifting a felony in Iowa?
Iowa charges shoplifting as theft under Iowa Code 714.1, graded by value under 714.2. It is a misdemeanor at $1,500 or less and a class D felony above $1,500, unless another rule applies, such as organized retail theft (714.2B), aggravated theft with an assault after a prior aggravated theft or robbery conviction (711.3B), or burglary, which covers entering a non-public area or staying after closing with intent to commit theft and is at least a class D felony at any value (713.1, 713.6A).
Is a third theft a felony in Iowa?
Not under the general grading section. A theft of property worth $750 or less by someone twice before convicted of theft is third-degree theft, an aggravated misdemeanor (Iowa Code 714.2(3)). If the victim is 60 or older and the offender knew or should have known it, that third-degree theft is a class D felony (714.2A(1)(c)).
Is stealing a car a felony in Iowa?
Yes. Theft of a motor vehicle worth up to $10,000 is second-degree theft, a class D felony, and theft of property worth more than $10,000 is first-degree theft, a class C felony (Iowa Code 714.2(1), (2)). A motorized bicycle as defined in section 321.1, subsection 40, paragraph b is excluded from the motor-vehicle rule.
Can a store make me pay money after shoplifting in Iowa?
Iowa Code 645.3 lets a store owner recover the merchandise or its purchase price, damages for any decrease in value, and the greater of $50 or actual recovery costs, not to exceed $200. A conviction is not required (645.2(2)). A lawyer licensed in Iowa can advise on a specific demand.
Can a store detain a suspected shoplifter in Iowa?
Iowa Code 808.12 lets a merchant or merchant's employee detain and search a person concealing property, if the detention lasts a reasonable time and any search is reasonable and done by a person of the same sex. Searching the person requires the person's permission unless done under a peace officer's direction.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Iowa Code, Chapter 714: THEFT, FRAUD, AND RELATED OFFENSES
§ 714.1Theft defined.In force
A person commits theft when the person does any of the following: 1. Takes possession or control of the property of another, or property in the possession of another, with the intent to deprive the other thereof. 2. Misappropriates property which the person has in trust, or property of another which the person has in the person’s possession or control, whether such possession or control is lawful or unlawful, by using or disposing of it in a manner which is inconsistent with or a denial of the trust or of the owner’s rights in such property, or conceals found property, or appropriates such property to the person’s own use, when the owner of such property is known to the person. a. Failure by a bailee or lessee of personal property to return the property within seventy-two hours after a time specified in a written agreement of lease or bailment shall be evidence of misappropriation. b.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov
§ 714.2Degrees of theft.In force
1. The theft of property exceeding ten thousand dollars in value, or the theft of property from the person of another, or from a building which has been destroyed or left unoccupied because of physical disaster, riot, bombing, or the proximity of battle, or the theft of property which has been removed from a building because of a physical disaster, riot, bombing, or the proximity of battle, is theft in the first degree. Theft in the first degree is a class “C” felony. 2. The theft of property exceeding one thousand five hundred dollars but not exceeding ten thousand dollars in value or theft of a motor vehicle as defined in chapter 321 not exceeding ten thousand dollars in value, is theft in the second degree. Theft in the second degree is a class “D” felony. However, for purposes of this subsection, “motor vehicle” does not include a motorized bicycle as defined in section 321.1, subsection 40, paragraph “b”. 3.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov
§ 714.2ATheft against an older individual.In force
1. If a person commits theft against an individual who was an older individual at the time the theft was committed and knew or should have known the conduct was directed at an older individual, notwithstanding the penalties specified in section 714.2, all of the following shall apply: a. If a person commits theft in the first degree pursuant to section 714.2, subsection 1, the person is guilty of a class “B” felony. b. If a person commits theft in the second degree pursuant to section 714.2, subsection 2, the person is guilty of a class “C” felony. c. If a person commits theft in the third degree pursuant to section 714.2, subsection 3, the person is guilty of a class “D” felony. d. If a person commits theft in the fourth degree pursuant to section 714.2, subsection 4, the person is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor. e. If a person commits theft in the fifth degree pursuant to section 714.2, subsection 5, the person is guilty of a serious misdemeanor. 2. For the purposes of this section, “older individual” means an individual who is sixty years of age or older.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov
§ 714.2BOrganized retail theft.In force
1. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: a. “Pattern of retail theft” means acts committed or directed by a person on at least two separate occasions in the preceding six months that would constitute a violation of any of the following: (1) Burglary under section 713.1 when the structure is a retail establishment. (2) Theft under section 714.1, subsection 1, 3, 4, or 6, involving retail merchandise. (3) A violation of section 714.7B concerning theft detection devices. (4) Theft of pseudoephedrine, under section 714.7C, from a retail establishment. b. “Retail establishment” means the building where a retailer sells retail merchandise. c. “Retail merchandise” means all forms of tangible property held out for sale by a retailer. d. “Retail theft enterprise” means a group of two or more individuals with a shared goal involving the unauthorized removal of retail merchandise from a retailer. “Retail theft enterprise” does not require the membership of the enterprise to remain the same or that the same individuals participate in each offense committed by the enterprise. e. “Retailer” means a person or entity that sells retail merchandise. f.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov
Iowa Code, Chapter 711: ROBBERY, AGGRAVATED THEFT, AND EXTORTION
§ 711.3BAggravated theft.In force
1. A person commits aggravated theft when the person commits an assault as defined in section 708.1, subsection 2, paragraph “a”, that is punishable as a simple misdemeanor under section 708.2, subsection 7, after the person has removed or attempted to remove property not exceeding three hundred dollars in value which has not been purchased from a store or mercantile establishment, or has concealed such property of the store or mercantile establishment, either on the premises or outside the premises of the store or mercantile establishment. 2. a. A person who commits aggravated theft is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor. b. A person who commits aggravated theft, and who has previously been convicted of an aggravated theft, robbery in the first degree in violation of section 711.2, robbery in the second degree in violation of section 711.3, or extortion in violation of section 711.4, is guilty of a class “D” felony. 3. In determining if a violation is a class “D” felony offense the following shall apply: a. A deferred judgment entered pursuant to section 907.3 for a violation of any offense specified in subsection 2 shall be counted as a previous offense. b.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov
Iowa Code, Chapter 808: SEARCH AND SEIZURE
§ 808.12Detention and search in theft of library materials and shoplifting.In force
1. Persons concealing property as set forth in section 711.3B or 714.5, may be detained and searched by a peace officer, person employed in a facility containing library materials, merchant, or merchant’s employee, provided that the detention is for a reasonable length of time and that the search is conducted in a reasonable manner by a person of the same sex and according to subsection 2 of this section. 2. No search of the person under this section shall be conducted by any person other than someone acting under the direction of a peace officer except where permission of the one to be searched has first been obtained. 3. The detention or search under this section by a peace officer, person employed in a facility containing library materials, merchant, or merchant’s employee does not render the person liable, in a criminal or civil action, for false arrest or false imprisonment provided the person conducting the search or detention had reasonable grounds to believe the person detained or searched had concealed or was attempting to conceal property as set forth in section 711.3B or 714.5.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov
Iowa Code, Chapter 645: RECOVERY OF MERCHANDISE OR DAMAGES
§ 645.3Liability.In force
1. A person who knowingly and without claim of right wrongfully appropriates, takes possession of, or alters the price indicia of merchandise of a mercantile establishment without the consent of the owner and with the intent to convert the merchandise to the person’s own use without having paid the full purchase price for it, is liable for: a. The return of the merchandise or the purchase price of the merchandise, provided that the merchandise is not evidence in a criminal proceeding under chapter 714. b. Actual damages for any decrease in value of the merchandise returned. c. The greater of fifty dollars or actual costs, not to exceed two hundred dollars, incurred by the owner in recovering the merchandise or damages pursuant to this chapter. 2. Damages awarded under this section shall be reduced by any amount received by the owner pursuant to court ordered restitution under chapter 232A or 910. 3. The parent or parents of an unemancipated minor child under the age of eighteen years are liable for any judgment awarded against the child pursuant to subsection 1 in accordance with, and subject to the limits established in, section 613.16.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov
Iowa Code, Chapter 902: FELONIES
§ 902.9Maximum sentence for felons.In forcecited in 12 of our articles
1. The maximum sentence for any person convicted of a felony shall be that prescribed by statute or, if not prescribed by statute, if other than a class “A” felony shall be determined as follows: a. Reserved. b. A class “B” felon shall be confined for no more than twenty-five years. c. An habitual offender shall be confined for no more than fifteen years. d. A class “C” felon, not an habitual offender, shall be confined for no more than ten years, and in addition shall be sentenced to a fine of at least one thousand three hundred seventy dollars but not more than thirteen thousand six hundred sixty dollars. e. A class “D” felon, not an habitual offender, shall be confined for no more than five years, and in addition shall be sentenced to a fine of at least one thousand twenty-five dollars but not more than ten thousand two hundred forty-five dollars. 2. The surcharges required by sections 911.1, 911.2A, and 911.5 shall be added to a fine imposed on a class “C” or class “D” felon, as provided by those sections, and are not a part of or subject to the maximums set in this section.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov
Cited in 166 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State of Iowa v. Andre Letroy Antwan Harrington (Supreme Court of Iowa 2017)“…a sentence of incarceration greater than one year. See Iowa Code § 902.9(1)(a)–(e). Thus, any immigrati…”
- State v. Ayers (Supreme Court of Iowa 1999, 590 N.W.2d 25)“…imposed a $500 fine for each conviction. See Iowa Code §§ 902.9 (3), 903.1(2). Ayers appeals onl…”
- State v. Iowa District Court for Black Hawk County (Supreme Court of Iowa 2000, 616 N.W.2d 575)“…of incarceration not to exceed ten years. See Iowa Code § 902.9 (setting forth a maximum sentence of t…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Iowa Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026), Iowa Video Recording Laws: Where You Can and Cannot Film (2026), Iowa GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)
Iowa Code, Chapter 903: MISDEMEANORS
§ 903.1Maximum sentence for misdemeanants.In forcecited in 10 of our articles
1. If a person eighteen years of age or older is convicted of a simple or serious misdemeanor and a specific penalty is not provided for or if a person under eighteen years of age has been waived to adult court pursuant to section 232.45 on a felony charge and is subsequently convicted of a simple, serious, or aggravated misdemeanor, the court shall determine the sentence, and shall fix the period of confinement or the amount of fine, which fine shall not be suspended by the court, within the following limits: a. For a simple misdemeanor, there shall be a fine of at least one hundred five dollars but not to exceed eight hundred fifty-five dollars. The court may order imprisonment not to exceed thirty days in lieu of a fine or in addition to a fine. b. For a serious misdemeanor, there shall be a fine of at least four hundred thirty dollars but not to exceed two thousand five hundred sixty dollars. In addition, the court may also order imprisonment not to exceed one year. 2. When a person is convicted of an aggravated misdemeanor, and a specific penalty is not provided for, the maximum penalty shall be imprisonment not to exceed two years.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov
Cited in 148 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Nicole Lara Shumate v. Drake University A/K/A Drake University Law School (Supreme Court of Iowa 2014, 846 N.W.2d 503)“…carceration, a fine of $625, and a criminal record. See Iowa Code § 903.1(1)(a). The legislature could reaso…”
- State v. Ayers (Supreme Court of Iowa 1999, 590 N.W.2d 25)“…ggravated misdemeanors, the general sentencing provision is Iowa Code section 903.1(2), which provides: When a perso…”
- State v. Kirchoff (Supreme Court of Iowa 1990, 452 N.W.2d 801)“…Kirchoff. See Iowa Code ch. 901 (sentencing procedures); Iowa Code §§ 903.1 (maximum sentence for misdemeanants),…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Iowa Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: Iowa Code 709.21 Penalties (2026), Iowa Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide), Iowa Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules
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Sources and References
- Iowa Code 714.2, Degrees of theft(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 714.1, Theft defined(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 714.3, Value(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 903.1, Maximum sentence for misdemeanants(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 902.9, Maximum sentence for felons(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 902.8, Minimum sentence, habitual offender(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- 2026 Iowa Acts, House File 2542 (habitual offenders), enrolled(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 714.2A, Theft against an older individual(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 714.5, Unpurchased merchandise, evidence of intention(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 711.3B, Aggravated theft(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code chapter 713, Burglary (713.1, 713.5, 713.6A) (2026)(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 702.12, Occupied structure(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 714.7B, Theft detection devices(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 714.7C, Theft of pseudoephedrine(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 714.7D, Retail motor fuel(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 714.2B, Organized retail theft(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 808.12, Detention and search in shoplifting(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code chapter 645, Recovery of Merchandise or Damages (2026)(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 613.16, Parental liability for acts of minors(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code chapter 714 (2026), incl. 714.2C looting, 714.2D gift cards, 714.7(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Legislature, Code and Acts Sections Amended (2026 session)(www.legis.iowa.gov).gov
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