THIS WEBSITE IS INTENDED FOR INDIVIDUALS 18+
THIS SITE CONTAINS EDUCATIONAL CONTENT THAT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR MINORS.
709.3 Sexual abuse in the second degree.
1. A person commits sexual abuse in the second degree when the person commits sexual
abuse under any of the following circumstances:
a. During the commission of sexual abuse the person displays in a threatening manner a
dangerous weapon, or uses or threatens to use force creating a substantial risk of death or
serious injury to any person.
b. The other person is a child.
c. The person is aided or abetted by one or more persons and the sex act is committed by
force or against the will of the other person against whom the sex act is committed.
2. Sexual abuse in the second degree is a class “B” felony.
[C51, §2581; R60, §4204; C73, §3861; C97, §4756; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12966; C46, 50, 54,
58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §698.1; C79, 81, §709.3]
84 Acts, ch 1188, §2; 99 Acts, ch 159, §3; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §228; 2021 Acts, ch 37, §3
Referred to in §321.375, 622.31B, 664A.2, 664A.3, 692A.101, 692A.102, 709.19, 709.23, 901A.2, 902.12, 902.14, 903B.10, 906.15
Definition of child, §702.5
709.2 Sexual abuse in the first degree.
1. A person commits sexual abuse in the first degree when in the course of committing
sexual abuse the person causes another serious injury.
2. Sexual abuse in the first degree is a class “A” felony.
[C51, §2581; R60, §4204; C73, §3861; C97, §4756; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12966; C46, 50, 54,
58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §698.1; C79, 81, §709.2]
2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127
Referred to in §321.375, 622.31B, 664A.2, 664A.3, 692A.101, 692A.102, 709.19, 903B.10
Definition of forcible felony, §7
Class “A” Felonies. Class “A” felonies are the most serious offenses under Iowa law and are punishable only by a mandatory life sentence, without possibility for parole or probation.15 A class “A” felon can be released from the custody and control of the Iowa Department of Corrections only through a pardon or commutation of the felon’s sentence to a term of years by the Governor.16 However, see part III, section C of this Guide, entitled “Juveniles — Special Sentencing Provisions,” for more discussion about class “A” felons who committed the offense while under 18 years of age.
Class “B” Felonies. Class “B” felonies are punishable by confinement for no more than 25 years.17 However, the following class “B” felonies are punishable by confinement for no more than 50 years:
• Certain felony drug offenses.18
• Murder in the second degree.19
• Multiple acts of child endangerment.20
•Railroad vandalism involving a death.21
THIS SITE CONTAINS EDUCATIONAL CONTENT THAT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR MINORS.