Iowa Criminal Records

Are criminal records public in Iowa?

According to Iowa Open Records Law, criminal records can be retrieved from governing agencies by the public. This law requires Iowa government bodies to be able to provide any public document that is maintained by them upon request to any citizen of Iowa.

How do I find criminal records in Iowa?

Iowa criminal records can be retrieved through the Division of Criminal Investigation. You can send in a request by mail or visit them in person in Des Moines. Additionally, you can find Iowa criminal records through the court case online search service.

How do I find inmates in Iowa?

In Iowa, there is an online inmate locator that lets you search by name, sex, location, and birthdate. Clicking on a result will show an inmate's name, identifying information, their class of crime (e.g., a misdemeanor or felony), their convictions, release date, and location. The Iowa Department of Corrections maintains this online inmate search.

What is a felony in Iowa?

In Iowa, any crime that has a minimum sentence of two years in a state prison rather than a county jail is a felony. There are four different classes, ranging from Class A, the most severe, to Class D, the least severe. Examples of felonies in Iowa include burglary, murder, a repeat offense DUI, and rape.

What is a misdemeanor in Iowa?

Iowa's misdemeanors are different than most states in that they can result in up to two years in jail, where most state's misdemeanors only can result in one year of jail. There are simple misdemeanors (30 days max in jail), serious misdemeanors (one year), and aggravated misdemeanors (two years). Examples of misdemeanors in Iowa include assault, trespassing, domestic violence, and speeding.

Are mugshots public record in Iowa?

Mugshots are publicly available and can be found on the different county inmate websites as well as police stations and certain third-party websites. For example, you can go to the Polk County current inmates website and find their mugshots there.

Can I get rid of my criminal record in Iowa?

You can get rid of your criminal record in Iowa through deferred judgment, governor's pardon, or in some cases, expungement. A deferred judgment is when instead of having a trial, the judge will offer the defendant a reduced sentence which can include no criminal record in return for pleading guilty. The governor has the power to pardon people and remove their crimes as well.

How do I get my record expunged in Iowa?

One misdemeanor per person can be expunged in Iowa as of 2019. Eight years must have gone by since the date of the conviction, and there are certain misdemeanors that are unable to be expunged. Before starting this expungement process, you should consult with an attorney to help with the process and make it easier for you.

How far back can employers check a criminal background in Iowa?

There are no state laws in Iowa preventing employers from finding convictions, no matter how old they are. They are federally required to not inquire about arrests that happened more than seven years ago under the FCRA, however. Additionally, any job applicant can request a copy of the information an employer has about them.

How do I search for arrest records in Iowa?

Arrest records will be found in Iowa through criminal history checks through the Division of Criminal Investigation and through court case searches, along with other items of an individual's criminal past. Arrest records contain information relating to the arrest of a person but not the conviction of a person. Arrest records do not necessarily prove that someone was guilty of committing a crime.

How do I find court records in Polk County?

Polk County has a clerk's office website that lets you access court records on the Internet. You can search for the different types of records, a party's name, the case number, or the citation number. The clerk's office maintains records relating to criminal, traffic, civil, and juvenile records.

What is Megan's Law in Iowa?

Megan's Law in Iowa is a law that requires sex offender information to be public and accessible. People who are convicted of sex crimes must register for ten years unless they are convicted of an aggravated sex offense, in which offenders must register for life.

How do I find sex offenders in Iowa?

Iowa has an online sex offender registry that lets you find offenders in your area or by name. Clicking on someone's profile will show a mugshot of them, their addresses, identifying information, and their offenses, as well as what tier correlates with them.

How do you check for arrest warrants in Iowa?

Certain counties in Iowa have online searches for warrants, but if you want to find warrants statewide, you can either call your local police station or the Iowa courts. The courts are the ones that grant arrest warrants to police officers in order for them to find someone who has had criminal complaints filed against them.

How do I find someone's parole status in Iowa?

You can find out about someone's parole status through the Iowa Board of Parole. They are the ones who take parole hearings and decide whether or not to grant it. Parole is when an inmate is given the option to be released from prison if they have served their sentence well, and it seems unlikely they will re-offend.

Is DUI a felony in Iowa?

DUI will be a felony in Iowa if it caused serious injury or death, or it is the third repeat offense. Being convicted of a DUI felony in Iowa could result in five years in prison, as well as hefty fines. If you have been charged with a DUI and you think it could be a felony, you should contact an attorney.

Are juvenile criminal records sealed in Iowa?

A juvenile's criminal record will not be available to the public and is sealed in Iowa once the juvenile turns 21. The exception to this rule is if the juvenile commits an aggravated offense between the ages of 18-21. Additionally, juveniles can petition to seal their record at 18 under certain circumstances.