by Attorney Eric D. PuryearFelony charges in Iowa come in 4 different classes, with different penalties depending upon the class of felony and the charge. This article addresses those felony sentences in Iowa.
Class A felony in Iowa
Class A felonies in Iowa, which include 1st Degree Murder, are the most serious crimes. The prison sentence for a Class A felony in Iowa is life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Class B felony in Iowa
Class B felonies in Iowa carry a prison term of 25 years under Iowa law, although the Class B felony crime of 2nd Degree Murder can carry a term of 50 years in prison. Some Class B felonies have a mandatory minimum (often 70%) which must be served before the person is eligible for parole in Iowa.
Class C felony in Iowa
Class C felonies in Iowa carry a prison term of 10 years in Iowa. Some Class C felony charges, such as forcible felonies, have a 70% mandatory minimum that a person a must serve before they can be paroled.
Class D felony in Iowa
Class D felonies in Iowa are the least serious felony class, but they are still a matter to be handled properly. A class D felony in Iowa carries a prison term of 5 years.