Facing a criminal charge in Iowa

Bond and pretrial release in Iowa

Article I Section 12 of the Iowa Constitution provides that all persons shall be bailable except for capital offenses when proof is evident or presumption great. Iowa Code Chapter 811 governs bail. Iowa Code Sec. 811.2 directs the court to release the defendant on personal recognizance or unsecured appearance bond unless those forms will not reasonably assure appearance, in which case secured forms may be ordered. Iowa Rule of Criminal Procedure 2.46 governs review and modification of bail conditions. The Iowa Judicial Branch publishes a uniform bond schedule for scheduled violations and minor offenses. A defendant may move for review of conditions at any time under Sec. 811.2(8), with prompt hearing required.

Bond amounts, conditions, and timelines vary by county and judge. Confirm with counsel or the court.

Criminal defense attorneys serving Iowa

Our directory is still building in Iowa. Public-defender intake is available now.

Record clearing in Iowa

Iowa expungement is governed by Iowa Code 901C.2 (misdemeanor convictions) and 901C.3 (non-conviction records). Both provisions establish petition-based pathways that, when granted, seal records from public access. The statute provides an eight-year waiting period from conviction for misdemeanor expungement and immediate eligibility for many non-conviction records; OWI, sex offenses requiring registration, dependent-adult abuse, and domestic abuse assault are excluded. The application is filed in the district court of the county of conviction.

Eligibility, waiting periods, and the petition vs. automatic pathway depend on the conviction class and the date of the offense. Confirm with counsel or the court record.

Public defender intake in Iowa

Office of the State Public Defender serves STATEWIDE County. Public defenders are appointed by the court based on financial eligibility. We do not refer you to a specific public defender and we do not represent you.

Public defenders are appointed by the court based on financial eligibility. LawSensai does not refer you to a public defender and does not represent you. This packet is a courtesy summary you can share with your public defender or their intake staff. You remain responsible for applying to the court for appointed counsel.