Forcible Felony
As explained in Iowa Code §907.3, a person convicted of a forcible felony listed in Iowa Code section 702.11 must be sentenced to a term of confinement without the possibility of receiving probation. Under Section 702.11, the term forcible felony is defined to include any of the following offenses classified in the first degree:
- felonious child endangerment (except child endangerment subject to penalty under section 726.6, subsection 6);
- assault;
- murder;
- sexual abuse (except sexual abuse in the third degree committed between spouses or sexual abuse in violation of section 709.4, subsection 2, paragraph “c”, subparagraph (4));
- kidnapping;
- robbery
- burglary in the first degree; or
- arson in the first degree.
The following offenses listed in Section 702.11 are not forcible felonies:
- Sexual exploitation by a counselor, therapist, or school employee in violation of section 709.15.
- Willful injury in violation of section 708.4, subsection 2 which is classified as a class “D” felony, if the person causes bodily injury to another.
Complete Forcible Felony List
Find a list of forcible felonies in Iowa that was last updated in April of 2013:
- ATTEMPTED MURDER (FELB)
- MURDER 1ST DEGREE‐ 1978 (FELA)
- MURDER 2ND DEGREE‐ 1983 (FELB)
- VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER‐ 1978 (FELC)
- ASSAULT‐ PENETRATION GENITALIA/ANUS WITH OBJECT (FELC)
- DOMESTIC ABUSE ASSAULT‐ 3RD OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE (FELD)
- ASSAULT INTENT OF INJURY, VIOL OF INDIV RIGHTS (FELD)
- ASSAULT WITH A WEAPON, VIOL OF INDIV RIGHTS (FELD)
- ASSLT WHILE PARTIC. IN FELONY‐ 1978 (FELC)
- ASSLT WHILE PARTIC. IN FELONY‐ 1978 (FELD)
- ASSAULT INTENT OF INJURY PEACE OFFICER/OTHERS (FELD)
- ASSAULT WITH WEAPON‐‐PEACE OFFICERS/OTHERS (FELD)
- INMATE ASSAULT ON EMPLOYEE OF CORRECTIONAL FACILITY (FELD)
- INMATE ASSAULT WITH BODILY FLUIDS (FELD)
- WILLFUL INJURY‐ CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY (FELC)
- ADMINISTER HARMFUL SUBSTANCE‐ 1978 (FELD)
- TERRORISM (FELD)
- INTIMIDATION W/DANGEROUS WEAPN‐INJURE/PROVOKE FEAR/ANGR(FELC INTIMIDATION WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON (FELD)
- TERRORISM (FELB)
- ASSAULT W/INTENT SEX ABUSE/SER. INJ. (FELC)
- ASSAULT W/INTENT SEX ABUSE/INJURY (FELD)
- SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CORPSE
- SEXUAL ABUSE 1ST DEGREE‐ 1978 (FELA)
- SEXUAL ABUSE 2ND DEGREE‐ 1978 (FELB)
- SEXUAL ABUSE 3RD DEGREE (FELC)
- SEXUAL ABUSE 3RD DEGREE‐VICT MENTAL DEFECT (FELC)
- SEXUAL ABUSE 3RD DEGREE‐VICT 12‐13 (FELC)
- DETENTION IN BROTHEL‐ 1978 (FELC)
- KIDNAPPING 1ST DEGREE‐ 1978 (FELA)
- KIDNAPPING 2ND DEGREE‐ 1978 (FELB)
- KIDNAPPING 3RD DEGREE‐ 1978 (FELC)
- ROBBERY 1ST DEGREE ‐ 1978 (FELB)
- ROBBERY 2ND DEGREE ‐ 1978 (FELC)
- ARSON 1ST DEGREE (FELB)
- ARSON 1ST DEGREE‐HATE CRIME (FELA)
- BURGLARY 1ST DEGREE ‐ 1983 (FELB)
- BURGLARY ‐ 1ST DEGREE WITH SEX ABUSE INTERFERENCE W/OFFICIAL ACTS SERIOUS INJURY (FELD)
- INTERFER W/OFFICIAL ACTS, DANGEROUS WEAPON OR FIREARM (FELD)
- INTERFERENCE W/DCS OFFICER, BODILY INJURY (FELD)
- INTERFERENCE W/DCS OFFICER, FIREARM (FELD)
- CHILD ENDANGERMENT/DEATH (FELB)
- CHILD ENDANGERMENT/SERIOUS INJURY (FELC)
- CHILD ENDANGERMENT/MULTIPLE ACTS (FELB)
Attorneys for Forcible Felonies in Des Moines, Iowa
Offenses classified as a forcible felony in Iowa, require a sentence for a term of confinement in prison without any possibility of receiving probation. If you have questions about the classification of your pending criminal charges, then contact us to discuss your case.
We can help you understand the charges, the potential penalties, and ways to fight for the best possible result. Call us today to discuss your case.