Simple misdemeanor crimes are punishable by a fine ranging between $65 up to $625 and/or jail time of less than thirty (30) days.  Defendants facing jail time are entitled to a court-appointed attorney upon filling out a financial affidavit with the Clerk of Court.

Indictable misdemeanors are crimes for which the punishment is usually a fine and/or up to one year in the county jail.  They are  referred to as serious or aggravated misdemeanors. The fines for a serious misdemeanor are between $315 and $875. The fines for aggravated misdemeanors are between $625 and $6,250. The fines for an OWI are $1,250 with the possiblity of waiver of up to $625 for first offense. OWI second offense is between $875 and $6,250. The fines for a third offense are between $3,125 and $9,375.

Often a crime that is an indictable misdemeanor for the first offense becomes a felony or enhanced for repeated offenses

Felony crimes are serious offenses punishable by a heavy sentence.  Unless there is a specific penalty attached (such as for forcible felonies, including sexual assault and murder), the penalties for felony level offenses in Iowa are as follows:

Class A Felony: Life in prison without parole; sentence may not be deferred or suspended; may only be released on parole if governor commutes the sentence to a term of years

Class B Felony: Maximum prison term not to exceed 25 years; may be deferred or suspended unless forcible felony

Class C Felony: Maximum prison term not to exceed 10 years; may be deferred or suspended unless forcible felony; fine of at least $1,000 but no more than $10,000.

Class D Felony: Maximum prison term not to exceed 5 years; may be deferred or suspended unless forcible felony; fine of at least $750 but no more than $7,500.

Habitual Offender: Enhanced penalties for repeat offenders committing their third felony offense; minimum sentence of three years for Class C or D felonies to be served before parole