Crimes Against Justice in Iowa
Crimes against justice involve acts that obstruct, interfere with, or undermine the legal system, public administration, or law enforcement processes. These offenses strike at the integrity of Iowa’s justice system and are taken extremely seriously by prosecutors. Whether the allegation involves giving false information, interfering with an investigation, or tampering with evidence, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting.
Many people accused of these offenses acted under pressure, confusion, panic, or misunderstanding, not with criminal intent. Yet the law often treats even minor missteps as serious misconduct. A conviction can affect your freedom, employment, professional licensing, and ability to testify or work in government positions.
If you or a loved one is facing a criminal accusation categorized as a crime against justice, experienced legal representation is essential.
Des Moines Crimes Against Justice Defense Attorney
If you are charged with obstructing justice or any related offense in Iowa, contact a Des Moines criminal defense attorney at McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. These cases often rely on assumptions made during chaotic investigations, and law enforcement frequently misinterprets behavior as intentional obstruction. Our attorneys will scrutinize every aspect of the state’s case, file motions where appropriate, and work tirelessly to prevent a conviction.
At McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C., we understand that prosecutors aggressively pursue crimes against justice because of the impact they can have on courts and law enforcement. Our firm is committed to protecting your rights, identifying weaknesses in the allegations, and ensuring that your side of the story is heard.
Call (515) 279-9700 to begin your free consultation. We represent clients throughout Polk County, Dallas County, Warren County, Madison County, Guthrie County, and across the state of Iowa.
Overview of Crimes of Justice in Iowa
- Types of Crimes Against Justice in Iowa
- Crimes Against Justice Laws
- Potential Penalties
- Defenses to Crimes Against Justice Charges
Types of Crimes Against Justice in Iowa
Crimes against justice encompass a broad group of offenses designed to protect the integrity of Iowa’s courts, investigations, and public institutions. Below are the most common crimes in this category, along with their statutory references and expanded explanations.
Perjury – Iowa Code § 720.2 – Perjury occurs when a person knowingly makes a false statement under oath in any official proceeding or document. The prosecution must prove the defendant knew the statement was false at the time it was made. Because perjury undermines the truth-seeking function of courts, it is prosecuted aggressively and may be charged as a felony.
Subornation of Perjury – Iowa Code § 720.3 – Subornation of perjury involves persuading, coercing, or encouraging another person to commit perjury. The offense is treated with the same seriousness as perjury itself, since influencing another to lie further corrupts judicial proceedings. A conviction can result in significant prison time and a permanent criminal record.
Tampering with Witnesses or Jurors – Iowa Code § 720.4 and § 720.5 – It is illegal to threaten, bribe, intimidate, or improperly influence a witness or juror. This includes attempts to alter testimony, persuade someone to withhold information, or affect a juror’s decision-making process. Iowa courts treat any interference with witnesses or jurors as a direct attack on justice, making these charges particularly severe.
Obstructing Prosecution or Defense – Iowa Code § 719.3 – A person commits this offense by knowingly interfering with, hindering, or delaying the prosecution of a crime or the defense of an accused individual. This may involve hiding suspects, preventing witnesses from appearing, or sabotaging investigative efforts. The law punishes such interference to preserve fairness and due process.
Providing False Information to Law Enforcement – Iowa Code § 719.1A – Making knowingly false statements to police officers during an investigation is a criminal act. This includes providing a fake name, false details about an incident, or misleading information to divert attention from a crime. Even minor lies can lead to criminal charges if they impede an officer’s duties.
Tampering with Records – Iowa Code § 715A.5 – Tampering with records involves altering, falsifying, destroying, or concealing documents with intent to defraud or mislead. This crime frequently arises in financial, business, or administrative settings. Because accurate records are essential to legal and commercial processes, this offense is treated as a fraud-related crime.
Tampering with Evidence – Iowa Code § 720.4(1) – A person commits evidence tampering by destroying, altering, or concealing evidence with intent to obstruct an investigation or prosecution. This includes deleting messages, hiding weapons, or disposing of physical evidence before police arrive. Prosecutors often stack this charge onto other offenses to strengthen their case.
Failure to Appear – Iowa Code § 811.2(8) – A person who intentionally fails to appear for a required court hearing may be charged with a crime. The severity depends on the underlying offense for which the person was scheduled to appear. Courts treat failure to appear as a breach of trust and an obstruction of judicial efficiency.
Escape or Attempted Escape – Iowa Code § 719.4 – Escape involves leaving lawful detention without permission, whether from jail, prison, transport vehicles, or while on work release. Attempted escape is treated nearly as seriously as a completed one. These offenses can lead to new felony charges and extended incarceration time.
Harboring, Aiding, or Concealing a Fugitive – Iowa Code § 719.3 and § 719.4(2) – Helping someone evade arrest or hide from authorities constitutes a serious crime against justice. This may include providing shelter, transportation, money, or false information. Even family members may be charged if they knowingly assist someone fleeing law enforcement.
Interference with Official Acts – Iowa Code § 719.1 – This offense involves resisting, obstructing, or interfering with a peace officer or other public official performing their duties. Examples include physically resisting arrest, refusing lawful commands, or disrupting emergency responders. Penalties increase if the interference causes injury or involves dangerous conduct.
Misconduct in Public Office – Iowa Code § 721.2 – Public officials who abuse their authority, falsify documents, or act outside the scope of their lawful duties may be charged with misconduct in office. These cases often involve misuse of public resources or intentional violations of legal obligations. Because public trust is at stake, this offense carries harsh penalties and disqualification from office.
Crimes Against Justice Laws
Crimes against justice can be broadly categorized into a few key legal categories. Each of these categories include multiple laws designed to protect the judicial and law enforcement processes.
Obstruction of Justice – Chapter 719
Obstruction of justice includes acts that knowingly interfere with the investigation, prosecution, or execution of justice. This can involve resisting arrest, destroying or concealing evidence, intimidating witnesses, or any other act intended to disrupt legal proceedings.
Laws in Obstruction of Justice include:
- 719.1 Interference with official acts.
- 719.1A Providing false identification information.
- 719.2 Refusing to assist officer.
- 719.3 Preventing apprehension, obstructing prosecution, or obstructing defense.
- 719.4 Escape or absence from custody.
- 719.5 Permitting prisoner to escape.
- 719.6 Assisting prisoner to escape.
- 719.7 Possessing contraband.
- 719.7A Electronic contraband — criminal penalties.
- 719.8 Furnishing a controlled substance or intoxicating beverage to inmates at a detention facility.
Perjury and False Statements
Perjury involves making false statements under oath during legal proceedings (while in court); however, false statements made to law enforcement officers during an investigation also fall under this category.
- 720.1 Compounding a felony.
- 720.2 Perjury, contradictory statements, and retraction.
- 720.3 Suborning perjury.
- 720.4 Tampering with witnesses or jurors.
- 720.5 False representation of records or process.
- 720.6 Malicious prosecution.
- 720.7 Interference with judicial acts — penalty.
Bribery and Corruption
Bribery refers to offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value as a means of influencing the actions of an official in the discharge of their public or legal duties. Corruption extends to acts beyond bribery that undermine the integrity of public officials and the legal system.
- 722.1 Bribery
- 722.2 Accepting bribe
- 722.3 Bribery in sports
- 722.10 Commercial bribery
- 722.11 Student athlete prohibitions
Escape and Aiding Escape
This category involves escaping from custody or facilitating the escape of someone legally held. Such acts directly challenge the authority of the law enforcement and corrections system.
- 703.1 Aiding and abetting
- 703.2 Joint criminal conduct
- 703.3 Accessory after the fact
- 703.4 Responsibility of employers
- 703.5 Liability of corporations, partnerships, and voluntary associations
Failure to Appear
Failing to appear in court can lead to a judge sending out an arrest warrant or levying additional fines against you. In addition, failing to appear may result in summary judgment, meaning that you will lose your ability to plead your case.
When an individual fails to appear for a judicial proceeding to which they have been summoned, without a valid excuse, they commit a crime against justice. This disrupts the orderly process of justice and wastes judicial resources.
Potential Penalties
The penalties for crimes against justice in Iowa vary widely depending on the specific offense and its severity. Penalties can range from fines and probation to significant prison terms. The severity of the penalty often reflects the extent to which the offense is perceived to have undermined the justice system.
Several factors influence the penalties for crimes against justice, including the offender’s criminal history, the specific nature of the offense, and its impact on the judicial process. Aggravating circumstances, such as the use of violence or the involvement of vulnerable victims, can lead to harsher penalties.
Simple or Serious Misdemeanor Penalties:
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Up to 1 year in jail
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Fines ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars
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Probation, community service, or mandatory classes
Aggravated Misdemeanor Penalties:
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Up to 2 years in prison
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Higher fines
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Longer probation terms
Felony Penalties (Class D, C, B depending on offense):
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Up to 5–25 years in prison (for the most severe crimes such as escape or certain obstruction offenses)
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Substantial financial penalties
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Restitution obligations
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Long-term supervision
Collateral consequences may include loss of voting rights, employment restrictions, immigration consequences, and diminished credibility in future legal matters.
Defenses to Crimes Against Justice Charges
Strong defense strategies depend on the nature of the charge and the quality of the state’s evidence. Common defenses include:
- Lack of Intent: Most crimes against justice require intentional conduct. Mistakes, misunderstandings, or confusion are not criminal.
- Ambiguous Statements or Actions: The prosecution often misinterprets statements or behavior as deceptive or obstructive.
- Insufficient Evidence: The state must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Weak testimony or circumstantial evidence can be challenged.
- Constitutional Violations: Illegal searches, improper interrogations, or lack of Miranda warnings may lead to suppression of critical evidence.
- Coercion or Duress: A person may act out of fear of harm or under pressure from others.
- Incorrect Identification: Misidentification or confusion during chaotic situations can lead to false accusations.
- Protected or Privileged Conduct: Some conduct, such as exercising the right to remain silent, cannot legally be considered obstruction.
McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. evaluates each case to identify every available defense strategy.
Finding the Best Crimes Against Justice Defense Attorney in Polk County
The attorneys at McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. are committed to protecting your rights and ensuring the justice system does not unfairly punish you for a misunderstanding, mistake, or overzealous prosecution. Crimes against justice require the state to prove intentional misconduct—a burden they often struggle to meet.
Our firm will probe every aspect of your case, challenge the government’s assumptions, and work tirelessly to keep you out of jail and protect your future.
Call (515) 279-9700 today to discuss your case in a free, confidential consultation. We are ready to help you fight back and move forward.