COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS — ARREST — DISPOSITIONS OF PRISONERS

Iowa Code tit. XVI, ch. 804

in effect

Iowa Code § 804.1 Arrest by warrant — complaint and citation defined.

804.1. Arrest by warrant — complaint and citation defined. 1. A criminal proceeding may be commenced by the filing of a complaint before a magistrate. When such complaint is made, charging the commission of some designated public offense in which such magistrate has jurisdiction, and it appears from the complaint or from affidavits filed with it that there is probable cause to believe an offense has been committed and a designated person has committed it, the magistrate shall, except as otherwise provided, issue a warrant for the arrest of such person. 2. If the complaint charges a public offense, the magistrate may issue a citation instead of a warrant of arrest. The citation shall set forth substantially the nature of the offense and shall command the person against whom the complaint was made to appear before the magistrate issuing the citation at a time and place stated in the citation. The magistrate shall prescribe the manner of service for the citation at the time the citation is issued. 3. The citation may be served in the same manner as an original notice in a civil action. 4. If the person named in the citation is actually served as provided herein and willfully fails without good cause to appear as commanded by the citation, the person shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor and the magistrate may issue a warrant of arrest for the offense originally charged. 5. If after issuing a citation the magistrate becomes satisfied that the person to whom such citation has been directed will not appear, the magistrate may at once issue a warrant of arrest without waiting for the date mentioned in the citation. [C51, §2822; R60, §4530; C73, §4111, 4185; C97, §5101, 5182; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13458 – 13460; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §754.1 – 754.3; C79, 81, §804.1] 83 Acts, ch 50, §1, 7; 2016 Acts, ch 1011, §121

Iowa Code § 804.2 Contents of arrest warrant.

804.2. Contents of arrest warrant. The warrant must be directed to any peace officer in the state; give the name of the defendant, if known to the magistrate; if unknown, may designate “name unknown”; and must state by name or general description an offense which authorizes a warrant to issue, the date of issuing it, the county or city where issued, and be signed by the magistrate with the magistrate’s name of office. [C51, §2828, 2829; R60, §4535, 4536; C73, §4187, 4188; C97, §5184; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13462; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §754.5; C79, 81, §804.2] Arrest warrant forms, see R.Cr.P. 2.36 – Forms 5, 6, 7

Iowa Code § 804.3 Order for bail — endorsed on warrant.

804.3. Order for bail — endorsed on warrant. If the offense stated in the warrant be bailable, the magistrate issuing it must make an endorsement thereon as follows: Let the defendant, when arrested, be (admitted to bail in the sum of dollars) or (stating other conditions of release). [R60, §4537; C73, §4189; C97, §5185; C24 27, 31, 35, 39, §13463; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §754.6; C79, 81, §804.3] Addition to warrant for bail, see R.Cr.P. 2.36 – Form 6

Iowa Code § 804.4 Manner of executing warrant.

804.4. Manner of executing warrant. The warrant may be delivered to any peace officer for execution, and served in any county in the state. [R60, §4538; C73, §4190; C97, §5186; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13464; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §754.7; C79, 81, §804.4]

Iowa Code § 804.5 Arrest defined.

804.5. Arrest defined. Arrest is the taking of a person into custody when and in the manner authorized by law, including restraint of the person or the person’s submission to custody. [C51, §2837, 2838, 2850; R60, §4545, 4551, 4557 – 4559; C73, §4197, 4203, 4209 – 4211; C97, §5193, 5194; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13465, 13466; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.1, 755.2; C79, 81, §804.5]

Iowa Code § 804.6 Persons authorized to make an arrest.

804.6. Persons authorized to make an arrest. An arrest pursuant to a warrant shall be made only by a peace officer; in other cases, an arrest may be made by a peace officer or by a private person as provided in this chapter. [R60, §4546; C73, §4198; C97, §5195; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13467; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.3; C79, 81, §804.6]

Iowa Code § 804.7 Arrests by peace officers.

804.7. Arrests by peace officers. 1. A peace officer may make an arrest under any of the following circumstances: a. For a public offense committed or attempted in the peace officer’s presence. b. Where a public offense has in fact been committed, and the peace officer has reasonable grounds for believing that the person to be arrested has committed it. c. Where the peace officer has reasonable grounds for believing that an indictable public offense has been committed and has reasonable grounds for believing that the person to be arrested has committed it. d. Where the peace officer has received from the department of public safety, or from any other peace officer of this state or any other state or the United States an official communication by bulletin, radio, telegraph, telephone, or otherwise, informing the peace officer that a warrant has been issued and is being held for the arrest of the person to be arrested on a designated charge. e. If the peace officer has reasonable grounds for believing that domestic abuse, as defined in section 236.2, has occurred and has reasonable grounds for believing that the person to be arrested has committed it. f. As required by section 236.12, subsection 2. 2. A peace officer, as defined in section 801.4, shall have the authority to make an arrest pursuant to subsection 1 anywhere within the state. However, a peace officer shall not establish routine patrol outside of the jurisdiction of the peace officer’s employing agency. [C51, §2840; R60, §4547, 4548; C73, §4199, 4200; C97, §5196; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13468; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.4; C79, 81, §804.7] 85 Acts, ch 175, §12; 86 Acts, ch 1179, §72023 Acts, ch 42, §7

Iowa Code § 804.7A Arrests by federal law enforcement officers.

804.7A. Arrests by federal law enforcement officers. 1. For purposes of this section, “federal law enforcement officer” means a person employed full time by the United States government who is empowered to effect an arrest with or without a warrant for a violation of the United States Code and who is authorized to carry a firearm in the performance of the person’s duties as a federal law enforcement officer. 2. A federal law enforcement officer has the same authority, as provided in section 804.7, subsection 1, paragraph “c”, and has the same immunity from suit in this state as a peace officer, as defined in section 801.4, subsection 11, when making an arrest in this state for a nonfederal crime if either of the following exists: a. The federal law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds for believing that an indictable public offense has been committed and has reasonable grounds for believing that the person to be arrested has committed it. b. The federal law enforcement officer is rendering assistance to a peace officer of this state in an emergency or at the request of the peace officer. 90 Acts, ch 1014, §12023 Acts, ch 42, §8

Iowa Code § 804.7B Arrests by out-of-state peace officers.

804.7B. Arrests by out-of-state peace officers. 1. For purposes of this section, “out-of-state peace officer” means a person employed full time as a peace officer by a state other than Iowa or a political subdivision of a state other than Iowa who is empowered to effect an arrest with or without a warrant under the laws of that jurisdiction, who is authorized to carry a firearm in the performance of the person’s duties, and who is certified or licensed as a regular peace officer in the jurisdiction in which the person’s employing agency or appointing authority is located. Notwithstanding section 804.7A, for purposes of this section “out-of-state peace officer” also means a person employed full time by the United States government who is empowered to effect an arrest with or without a warrant for a violation of the United States Code and who is authorized to carry a firearm in the performance of the person’s duties as a federal law enforcement officer. 2. a. An out-of-state peace officer may make arrests and conduct other law enforcement activities in this state pursuant to an agreement entered into under chapter 28E by the peace officer’s employing agency or appointing authority and the state of Iowa or a political subdivision of the state of Iowa. Any arrests made or activities conducted by an out-of-state peace officer shall be in accordance with any conditions and specifications contained in the agreement and shall be in accordance with Iowa law. An out-of-state peace officer who makes an arrest or conducts an activity in this state shall immediately contact and cooperate with a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the area in which the activities have occurred. An out-of-state peace officer who acts in accordance with an agreement entered into pursuant to this section and Iowa law has the same immunity from suit in this state as a peace officer, as defined in section 801.4. b. Out-of-state peace officers making arrests or conducting law enforcement activities in this state pursuant to a chapter 28E agreement are not employees or agents of the state of Iowa or any political subdivision of the state of Iowa. To the extent permitted by law, the employing agency or appointing agency of the out-of-state peace officer and the out-of-state peace officer are liable for any acts or omissions which arise out of the arrests or law enforcement activities of the out-of-state peace officer. c. Agreements made under this section shall not exceed any jurisdictional limitations to which the state or the political subdivision of this state are subject. Agreements made under this section shall not permit out-of-state peace officers to perform regularly scheduled or routine patrol functions. This section shall not be construed to limit the authority of an employing agency or appointing authority to restrict the exercise of power or authority of peace officers who are employed by or are the agents of the agency or authority. 98 Acts, ch 1140, §1

Iowa Code § 804.8 Use of force by peace officer making an arrest.

804.8. Use of force by peace officer making an arrest. 1. A peace officer, while making a lawful arrest, is justified in the use of any force which the peace officer reasonably believes to be necessary to effect the arrest or to defend any person from bodily harm while making the arrest. However, the use of deadly force or a chokehold is only justified when a person cannot be captured any other way and either of the following apply: a. The person has used or threatened to use deadly force in committing a felony. b. The peace officer reasonably believes the person would use deadly force against any person unless immediately apprehended. 2. A peace officer making an arrest pursuant to an invalid warrant is justified in the use of any force which the peace officer would be justified in using if the warrant were valid, unless the peace officer knows that the warrant is invalid. 3. For purposes of this section, “chokehold” means the intentional and prolonged application of force to the throat or windpipe that prevents or hinders breathing or reduces the intake of air. [C51, §2844; R60, §4553; C73, §4205; C97, §5200; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13472; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.8; C79, 81, §804.8] 2013 Acts, ch 90, §238; 2020 Acts, ch 1037, §2 Reasonable or deadly force, see chapter 704

Iowa Code § 804.9 Arrests by private persons.

804.9. Arrests by private persons. A private person may make an arrest: 1. For a public offense committed or attempted in the person’s presence. 2. When a felony has been committed, and the person has reasonable ground for believing that the person to be arrested has committed it. [C51, §2846; R60, §4549; C73, §4201; C97, §5197; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13469; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.5; C79, 81, §804.9]

Iowa Code § 804.10 Use of force in arrest by private person.

804.10. Use of force in arrest by private person. 1. A private person who makes or assists another private person in making a lawful arrest is justified in using any force which the person reasonably believes to be necessary to make the arrest or which the person reasonably believes to be necessary to prevent serious injury to any person. 2. A private person who is summoned or directed by a peace officer to assist in making an arrest may use whatever force the peace officer could use under the circumstances, provided that, if the arrest is unlawful, the private person assisting the officer shall be justified as if the arrest were a lawful arrest, unless the person knows that the arrest is unlawful. [C79, 81, §804.10] 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127 Reasonable or deadly force, see chapter 704

Iowa Code § 804.11 Arrest of material witness.

804.11. Arrest of material witness. 1. When a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that a person is a necessary and material witness to a felony and that such person might be unavailable for service of a subpoena, the officer may arrest such person as a material witness with or without an arrest warrant. 2. At the time of the arrest, the law enforcement officer shall inform the person of: a. The officer’s identity as a law enforcement officer. b. The reason for the arrest which is that the person is believed to be a material witness to an identified felony and that the person might be unavailable for service of a subpoena. [C51, §2876 – 2879; R60, §4601 – 4604; C73, §4248 – 4251; C97, §5232 – 5235; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13547 – 13550; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §761.21 – 761.24; C79, 81, §804.11] 2013 Acts, ch 90, §239 Fees to material witnesses, §815.6

Iowa Code § 804.12 Use of force in resisting arrest.

804.12. Use of force in resisting arrest. A person is not authorized to use force to resist an arrest, either of the person’s self, or another which the person knows is being made either by a peace officer or by a private person summoned and directed by a peace officer to make the arrest, even if the person believes that the arrest is unlawful or the arrest is in fact unlawful. [C51, §2669; R60, §4296; C73, §3960; C97, §4899; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13331; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §742.1; C79, 81, §804.12]

Iowa Code § 804.13 Use of force in preventing an escape.

804.13. Use of force in preventing an escape. A peace officer or other person who has an arrested person in custody is justified in the use of such force to prevent the escape of the arrested person from custody as the officer or other person would be justified in using if the officer or other person were arresting such person. [C51, §2844; R60, §4553; C73, §4205; C97, §5200; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13472; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.8; C79, 81, §804.13]

Iowa Code § 804.14 Manner of making arrest — warrant.

804.14. Manner of making arrest — warrant. 1. A person making an arrest must inform the person to be arrested of the intention to arrest the person, the reason for arrest, and that the person making the arrest is a peace officer, if such be the case, and require the person being arrested to submit to the person’s custody, except when the person to be arrested is actually engaged in the commission of or attempt to commit an offense, or escapes, so that there is no time or opportunity to do so. 2. If acting under the authority of a warrant, a law enforcement officer need not have the warrant in the officer’s possession at the time of the arrest, but, upon request, the officer shall show the warrant to the person being arrested as soon as possible. If the officer does not have the warrant in the officer’s possession at the time of arrest, the officer shall inform the person being arrested of the fact that a warrant has been issued. [C51, §2839, 2841, 2847; R60, §4552; C73, §4204; C97, §5199; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13471; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.7; C79, 81, §804.14] 2013 Acts, ch 90, §209

Iowa Code § 804.15 Breaking and entering premises — demand to enter.

804.15. Breaking and entering premises — demand to enter. If a law enforcement officer has reasonable cause to believe that a person whom the officer is authorized to arrest is present on any private premises, the officer may upon identifying the officer as such, demand that the officer be admitted to such premises for the purpose of making the arrest. If such demand is not promptly complied with, the officer may thereupon enter such premises to make the arrest, using such force as is reasonably necessary. [C51, §2843, 2848; R60, §4554; C73, §4206; C97, §5201; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13473; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.9; C79, 81, §804.15]

Iowa Code § 804.16 Time of arrest.

804.16. Time of arrest. An arrest may be made on any day and at any time of the day or night. [C51, §2837, 2850; R60, §4545, 4551; C73, §4197, 4203; C97, §5193; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13465; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.1; C79, 81, §804.16]

Iowa Code § 804.17 Summoning aid.

804.17. Summoning aid. Any peace officer making a legal arrest may orally summon as many persons as the officer reasonably finds necessary to aid the officer in making the arrest. [R60, §4556; C73, §4208; C97, §5203; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13475; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.11; C79, 81, §804.17]

Iowa Code § 804.18 Taking weapons.

804.18. Taking weapons. Any person who makes an arrest may take from the person arrested all items which are capable of causing bodily harm which the arrested person may have within the arrested person’s control to be disposed of according to law. [R60, §4560; C73, §4212; C97, §5204; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13476; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.12; C79, 81, §804.18]

Iowa Code § 804.19 Receipt given.

804.19. Receipt given. When money or other property is taken from the defendant arrested on a charge of a public offense, the officer taking it shall, at the time, give duplicate receipts therefor, specifying particularly the amount of money and the kind of property taken. The officer shall deliver one of the receipts to the defendant, and shall retain the other receipt with the defendant’s file. [C79, 81, §804.19] 94 Acts, ch 1047, §1

Iowa Code § 804.20 Communications by arrested persons.

804.20. Communications by arrested persons. Any peace officer or other person having custody of any person arrested or restrained of the person’s liberty for any reason whatever, shall permit that person, without unnecessary delay after arrival at the place of detention, to call, consult, and see a member of the person’s family or an attorney of the person’s choice, or both. Such person shall be permitted to make a reasonable number of telephone calls as may be required to secure an attorney. If a call is made, it shall be made in the presence of the person having custody of the one arrested or restrained. If such person is intoxicated, or a person under eighteen years of age, the call may be made by the person having custody. An attorney shall be permitted to see and consult confidentially with such person alone and in private at the jail or other place of custody without unreasonable delay. A violation of this section shall constitute a simple misdemeanor. [C62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.17; C79, 81, §804.20]

Iowa Code § 804.21 Initial appearance before magistrate — arrest by warrant — release — bond schedule.

804.21. Initial appearance before magistrate — arrest by warrant — release — bond schedule. 1. A person arrested in obedience to a warrant shall be taken without unnecessary delay before the nearest or most accessible magistrate. The officer shall at the same time deliver to the magistrate the warrant with the officer’s return endorsed on it and subscribed by the officer with the officer’s official title. However, this section, and sections 804.22 and 804.23, do not preclude the release of an arrested person within the period of time the person would otherwise remain incarcerated while waiting to be taken before a magistrate if the release is pursuant to pretrial release guidelines or a bond schedule promulgated by the judicial council, unless the person is charged with manufacture, delivery, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, or distribution of methamphetamine. If, however, a person is released pursuant to pretrial release guidelines, a magistrate must, within twenty-four hours of the release, or as soon as practicable on the next subsequent working day of the court, either approve in writing of the release, or disapprove of the release and issue a warrant for the person’s arrest. 2. Where the offense is bailable, the magistrate shall fix bail giving due consideration to the bail endorsed on the warrant or other conditions stipulated on the warrant for the defendant’s appearance in the court which issued the warrant; if such person is not released on bail, the magistrate must redeliver the warrant to the officer, and the officer shall retain custody of the arrested person until the person’s removal to appear before the magistrate who issued the warrant. 3. If the magistrate who issued the warrant is absent or unable to act, the arrested person shall be taken to the nearest or most accessible magistrate in the judicial district where the offense occurred or a magistrate in an approved judicial district, and all documents on which the warrant was issued must be sent to such magistrate, or if they cannot be procured, the informant and the informant’s witnesses must be subpoenaed to make new affidavits. For purposes of this subsection, an “approved judicial district” means, as to any particular arrest of a person described in this subsection, any judicial district in this state in which the chief judge of that judicial district and the chief judge of the judicial district in which the offense occurred have previously entered an order permitting a person arrested or described in this subsection to be taken to a magistrate from any judicial district subject to the order. 4. When the court is not in session, a person arrested and placed in jail may be released on the person’s own recognizance with or without other conditions, by the verbal or written order of a judge or magistrate. The verbal order may be communicated by telephone. The judge or magistrate may issue such order of release only upon the request of an attorney or person believed by the judge or magistrate to be reliable. 5. a. The judicial council shall promulgate rules and bond levels to be contained within a bond schedule for the release of an arrested person. b. The bond schedule shall not be used unless both the following conditions are met: (1) The person was arrested for a crime other than a violation of section 708.6, section 724.26, subsection 1, or a forcible felony, and (2) The courts are not in session. 6. This section does not prevent the release of the arrested person pending initial appearance upon the furnishing of bail in the amount endorsed on the warrant. The initial appearance of a person so released shall be scheduled for a time not more than thirty days after the date of release. [C51, §2831 – 2836; R60, §4539 – 4544, 4565; C73, §4191 – 4196, 4217; C97, §5187 – 5192, 5207; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13480 – 13487; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §757.1 – 757.8; C79, 81, §804.21] 83 Acts, ch 50, §2, 3, 7; 83 Acts, ch 51, §5, 9; 89 Acts, ch 83, §85; 98 Acts, ch 1115, §18; 2000 Acts, ch 1032, §4; 2005 Acts, ch 15, §7, 14; 2005 Acts, ch 174, §21, 25; 2017 Acts, ch 69, §49

Iowa Code § 804.22 Initial appearance before magistrate — arrest without warrant.

804.22. Initial appearance before magistrate — arrest without warrant. 1. When an arrest is made without a warrant, the person arrested shall, without unnecessary delay, be taken before the nearest or most accessible magistrate in the judicial district in which such arrest was made or before a magistrate in an approved judicial district, and the grounds on which the arrest was made shall be stated to the magistrate by complaint, subscribed and sworn to by the complainant, or supported by the complainant’s affirmation, and such magistrate shall proceed as follows: a. If the magistrate believes from such complaint that the offense charged is triable in the magistrate’s court, the magistrate shall proceed with the case. b. If the magistrate believes from such complaint that the offense charged is triable in another court, the magistrate shall by written order, commit the person arrested to a peace officer, to be taken before the appropriate magistrate in the district in which the offense is triable, and shall fix the amount of bail or other conditions of release which the person arrested may give for the person’s appearance at the other court. 2. This section and the rules of criminal procedure do not affect the provisions of chapter 805 authorizing the release of a person on citation or bail prior to initial appearance, unless the person is charged with manufacture, delivery, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, or distribution of methamphetamine. The initial appearance of a person so released shall be scheduled for a time not more than thirty days after the date of release. 3. For purposes of this section, an “approved judicial district” means, as to any particular arrest of a person made without a warrant, any judicial district in this state in which the chief judge of that judicial district and the chief judge of the judicial district in which the arrest was made have previously entered an order permitting a person arrested without warrant to be taken to a magistrate from any judicial district subject to the order. [R60, §4566, 4567, 4569; C73, §4218, 4219, 4221; C97, §5208, 5209, 5211; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13488, 13489, 13492; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §758.1, 758.2, 758.5; C79, 81, §804.22] 83 Acts, ch 50, §4, 7; 98 Acts, ch 1115, §19, 20; 2000 Acts, ch 1032, §5; 2005 Acts, ch 15, §8, 14; 2005 Acts, ch 174, §22, 25; 2013 Acts, ch 30, §218 Proceedings before magistrate, see R.Cr.P. 2.2

Iowa Code § 804.23 Initial appearance of arrested material witness before magistrate.

804.23. Initial appearance of arrested material witness before magistrate. 1. The officer shall, without unnecessary delay, take the person arrested pursuant to section 804.11 before the nearest or most accessible magistrate to the place where the arrest occurred. 2. At the appearance before the magistrate, the law enforcement officer shall make a showing to the magistrate, by sworn affidavit, that probable cause exists to believe that a person is a necessary and material witness to a felony and that such person might be unavailable for service of a subpoena. The magistrate may order the person released pursuant to section 811.2. [C51, §2876 – 2879; R60, §4601 – 4604; C73, §4248 – 4251; C97, §5232 – 5235; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13547 – 13550; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §761.21 – 761.24; C79, 81, §804.23] 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127 Proceedings before magistrate, see R.Cr.P. 2.2

Iowa Code § 804.24 Arrests by private persons — disposition of prisoner.

804.24. Arrests by private persons — disposition of prisoner. A private citizen who has arrested another for the commission of an offense must, without unnecessary delay, take the arrested person before a magistrate, or deliver the arrested person to a peace officer, who may take the arrested person before a magistrate, but the person making the arrest must also accompany the officer before the magistrate. [C51, §2842, 2849; R60, §4562 – 4564; C73, §4214-4216; C97, §5206; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13478; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.14; C79, 81, §804.24]

Iowa Code § 804.25 Bail — discharge.

804.25. Bail — discharge. Any magistrate who receives bail as provided for in sections 804.21, subsection 2, and 804.22, subsection 1, paragraph “b”, shall endorse, on the order of commitment or on the warrant, an order for the discharge from custody of the arrested person, who shall forthwith be discharged, and shall transmit by mail, or otherwise, as soon as it can be conveniently done, to the court at which the person is bound to appear, the affidavits, order of commitment or warrant, and discharge, together with the undertaking of bail. [C51, §2833; R60, §4541, 4570; C73, §4193, 4222; C97, §5189, 5212; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13483, 13493; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §757.4, 758.6; C79, 81, §804.25] 2013 Acts, ch 30, §254 Order for discharge upon bail, see R.Cr.P. 2.37 – Forms 2 and 3

Iowa Code § 804.26 Officer’s return.

804.26. Officer’s return. In all cases, the peace officer, when the officer takes a person committed to the officer under an order as provided in this chapter before a magistrate, either for the purpose of giving bail, if bail be taken, or for trial or preliminary examination, must make a return on such order, and sign such return with the officer’s name of office, and deliver the same to the magistrate. [R60, §4573; C73, §4225; C97, §5215; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13496; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §758.9; C79, 81, §804.26]

Iowa Code § 804.27 Conveying prisoner to jail — fees and expenses.

804.27. Conveying prisoner to jail — fees and expenses. Every officer or person who shall arrest anyone with a warrant or order issued by any court or officer, or who shall be required to convey a prisoner to such jail on an order of commitment, may be allowed the same fees and expenses as provided for in case of such services by the sheriff. [C73, §3820; C97, §1292; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13479; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.15; C79, 81, §804.27]

Iowa Code § 804.28 Department of public safety prisoners.

804.28. Department of public safety prisoners. The sheriff of any county shall accept for custody in the county jail of the sheriff’s respective county any person handed over to the sheriff for safekeeping and lodging by any member of the department of public safety. The county shall not be liable for medical treatment for injuries incurred by a person before the person is transferred to the custody of the sheriff. Any expenses payable by the state pursuant to this section shall be paid out of any moneys in the state treasury not otherwise appropriated. The expenses shall be paid on claims filed with the department of administrative services. [C39, §13479.1; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §755.16; C79, 81, §804.28] 98 Acts, ch 1086, §4; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §286

Iowa Code § 804.29 Confidentiality.

804.29. Confidentiality. 1. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, all information filed with the court for the purpose of securing a warrant for an arrest, including but not limited to a citation and affidavits, shall be a confidential record until such time as a peace officer has made the arrest and has made the officer’s return on the warrant, or the defendant has made an initial appearance in court. During the period of time that information is confidential, the record shall be sealed by the court and the information contained in the record shall not be disseminated to any person unless otherwise ordered by the court. 2. However, during the period of confidentiality in subsection 1, the information in the record may be disseminated, without court order, during the course of official duties to the following persons unless access to such information is expressly denied by court order: a. A peace officer, or any other employee of a law enforcement agency if allowed access pursuant to section 692.14 and if authorized in writing by the head of the agency. b. An employee of the county attorney’s office. c. A judicial officer or other court employees. d. An employee of the department of corrections, if authorized by the director of the department of corrections, or an employee of a judicial district department of correctional services, if authorized by the director of the judicial district department of correctional services. e. A court-appointed attorney in a specific case where an arrest warrant has been issued but not served, provided the defendant is in custody and subject to a hold for that arrest warrant. f. A probation officer employed by the United States, acting pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §3602. [C79, 81, §804.29] 2006 Acts, ch 1048, §1; 2012 Acts, ch 1075, §1; 2013 Acts, ch 4, §1; 2020 Acts, ch 1060, §1; 2021 Acts, ch 11, §3; 2024 Acts, ch 1017, §1 Confidentiality of search warrant information, see §808.13

Iowa Code § 804.30 Strip searches and visual strip searches of persons arrested for scheduled violations or simple misdemeanors.

804.30. Strip searches and visual strip searches of persons arrested for scheduled violations or simple misdemeanors. 1. a. A person arrested for a simple misdemeanor who is housed in the general population of a county jail or municipal holding facility may be subject to a visual strip search. Such a person may be subject to a strip search if there is probable cause to believe that the person is concealing a weapon or contraband and written authorization of the supervisor on duty is obtained. b. (1) A person arrested for a simple misdemeanor who is not housed in the general population of a county jail or municipal holding facility shall not be subjected to either a strip search or a visual strip search unless there is probable cause to believe that the person is concealing a weapon or contraband, and written authorization of the supervisor on duty is obtained. (2) A person arrested for a scheduled violation who is not housed in the general population of a county jail or municipal holding facility shall not be subject to either a strip search or a visual strip search unless there is probable cause to believe that the person is concealing a weapon or contraband, and a search warrant is obtained. c. A strip search conducted pursuant to this section that involves the physical probing of a body cavity, other than the mouth, ears, or nose, shall require a search warrant and shall only be performed by a licensed physician unless voluntarily waived in writing by the arrested person. 2. Any person arrested for a scheduled violation or a simple misdemeanor may be subjected to a search probing the mouth, ears, or nose. 3. All searches conducted pursuant to this section shall be performed under sanitary conditions. 4. All searches conducted pursuant to this section, except for the probing of the mouth, ears, or nose, shall be conducted in a place where the search cannot be observed by persons not conducting the search. 5. All searches conducted pursuant to this section shall be conducted by a person of the same sex as the arrested person, except for the probing of the mouth, ears, or nose, unless the search is conducted by a physician. 6. Subsequent to a strip search pursuant to this section, a written report shall be prepared which includes the written authorization required by this section, the name of the person subjected to the search, the names of the persons conducting the search, the time, date, and place of the search, and a copy of the search warrant, if applicable authorizing the search. A copy of the report shall be provided to the person searched. [C81, §804.30] 2013 Acts, ch 30, §219; 2015 Acts, ch 71, §2

Iowa Code § 804.31 Arrest of deaf or hard-of-hearing person — use of interpreters — fee.

804.31. Arrest of deaf or hard-of-hearing person — use of interpreters — fee. 1. When a person is detained for questioning or arrested for an alleged violation of a law or ordinance and there is reason to believe that the person is deaf or hard of hearing, the peace officer making the arrest or taking the person into custody or any other officer detaining the person shall determine if the person is a deaf or hard-of-hearing person as defined in section 622B.1. If the officer so determines, the officer, at the earliest possible time and prior to commencing any custodial interrogation of the person, shall procure a qualified interpreter in accordance with section 622B.2 and the rules adopted by the supreme court under section 622B.1 unless the deaf or hard-of-hearing person knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently waives the right to an interpreter in writing by executing a form prescribed by the department of health and human services and the Iowa county attorneys association. The interpreter shall interpret the officer’s warnings of constitutional rights and protections and all other warnings, statements, and questions spoken or written by any officer, attorney, or other person present and all statements and questions communicated in sign language by the deaf or hard-of-hearing person. 2. This section does not prohibit the request for and administration of a preliminary breath screening test or the request for and administration of a chemical test of a body substance or substances under chapter 321J prior to the arrival of a qualified interpreter for a deaf or hard-of-hearing person who is believed to have committed a violation of section 321J.2. However, upon the arrival of the interpreter the officer who requested the chemical test shall explain through the interpreter the reason for the testing, the consequences of the person’s consent or refusal, and the ramifications of the results of the test, if one was administered. 3. When an interpreter is not readily available and the deaf or hard-of-hearing person’s identity is known, the person may be released by the law enforcement agency into the temporary custody of a reliable family member or other reliable person to await the arrival of the interpreter, if the person is eligible for release on bail and is not believed to be an immediate threat to the person’s own safety or the safety of others. 4. An answer, statement, or admission, oral or written, made by a deaf or hard-of-hearing person in reply to a question of a law enforcement officer or any other person having a prosecutorial function in a criminal proceeding is not admissible in court and shall not be used against the deaf or hard-of-hearing person if that answer, statement, or admission was not made or elicited through a qualified interpreter, unless the deaf or hard-of-hearing person had waived the right to an interpreter pursuant to this section. In the event of a waiver and criminal proceeding, the court shall determine whether the waiver and any subsequent answer, statement, or admission made by the deaf or hard-of-hearing person were knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently made. 5. When communication occurs with a person through an interpreter pursuant to this section, all questions or statements and responses shall be relayed through the interpreter. The role of the interpreter is to facilitate communication between the hearing and deaf or hard-of-hearing parties. An interpreter shall not be compelled to answer any question or respond to any statement that serves to violate that role at the time of questioning or arrest or at any subsequent administrative or judicial proceeding. 6. An interpreter procured under this section shall be paid a reasonable fee and expenses by the governmental subdivision funding the law enforcement agency that procured the interpreter. 84 Acts, ch 1264, §1; 85 Acts, ch 131, §2; 86 Acts, ch 1220, §42; 88 Acts, ch 1134, §115; 93 Acts, ch 75, §14; 2016 Acts, ch 1011, §121; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §1318; 2023 Acts, ch 64, §100

Source: Iowa Legislature (legis.iowa.gov)URL: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/iowaCode/sections?codeChapter=804&year=2026Fetched: 10/20/2026