Assault
Iowa Code § 708.2 — a simple misdemeanor, rising with injury, intent and a weapon
Assault is an act meant to cause pain or injury or offensive contact, or to put someone in fear of it, with the apparent ability to carry it out; or intentionally pointing a firearm at someone or displaying a dangerous weapon threateningly. Contact that is a foreseeable part of a lawful sport is not assault.
| Assault | Level |
|---|---|
| AssaultAny other assault | LevelSimple misdemeanor |
| AssaultCausing bodily injury or mental illness | LevelSerious misdemeanor |
| AssaultWith intent to inflict serious injury, or using or displaying a dangerous weapon | LevelAggravated misdemeanor |
| AssaultCausing serious injury without intending it | LevelClass D felony |
Willful injury, an unjustified act meant to cause serious injury, is a class D felony when it causes bodily injury and a class C felony when it causes serious injury.
Sources for this section (3)
- Iowa Code § 708.1 — Assault defined
- Iowa Code § 708.2 — Penalties for assault
- Iowa Code § 708.4 — Willful injury
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Iowa attorney.