OFFENSES AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT

Iowa Code tit. XVI, ch. 718

in effect

Iowa Code § 718.1 Insurrection.

718.1. Insurrection. An insurrection is three or more persons acting in concert and using physical violence against persons or property, with the purpose of interfering with, disrupting, or destroying the government of the state or any subdivision thereof, or to prevent any executive, legislative, or judicial officer or body from performing its lawful function. Participation in insurrection is a class “C” felony. [C51, §2565, 2567; R60, §4188, 4190; C73, §3845, 3847; C97, §4724, 4726; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12897, 12898, 12900, 12904; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §689.1, 689.2, 689.4, 689.8; C79, 81, §718.1]

Iowa Code § 718.2 Impersonating a public official.

718.2. Impersonating a public official. Any person who falsely claims to be or assumes to act as an elected or appointed officer, magistrate, peace officer, or person authorized to act on behalf of the state or any subdivision thereof, having no authority to do so, commits an aggravated misdemeanor. [C51, §2671, 2672; R60, §4298, 4299; C73, §3962, 3963; C97, §4901, 4902; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13306, 13307; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §740.4, 740.5; C79, 81, §718.2]

Iowa Code § 718.3 Willful disturbance.

718.3. Willful disturbance. Any person who willfully disturbs any deliberative body or agency of the state, or subdivision thereof, with the purpose of disrupting the functioning of such body or agency by tumultuous behavior, or coercing by force or the threat of force any official conduct or proceeding, commits a serious misdemeanor. [C79, 81, §718.3]

Iowa Code § 718.4 Harassment of public officers and employees.

718.4. Harassment of public officers and employees. Any person who willfully prevents or attempts to prevent any public officer or employee from performing the officer’s or employee’s duty commits a simple misdemeanor. [C79, 81, §718.4]

Iowa Code § 718.5 Falsifying public documents.

718.5. Falsifying public documents. A person who, having no right or authority to do so, makes or alters any public document, or any instrument which purports to be a public document, or who possesses a seal or any counterfeit seal of the state or of any of its subdivisions, or of any officer, employee, or agency of the state or of any of its subdivisions, commits a class “D” felony. [C51, §2628, 2642, 2677; R60, §4255, 4269, 4304; C73, §3919, 3933, 3968; C97, §1136, 4855, 4869, 4907; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13141, 13156, 13283, 13314; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §718.3, 718.8, 738.21, 740.12; C79, 81, §718.5]

Iowa Code § 718.6 False reports to or communications with public safety entities.

718.6. False reports to or communications with public safety entities. 1. Except as provided in subsection 2, a person who reports or causes to be reported false information to a fire department, a law enforcement authority, or other public safety entity, knowing that the information is false, or who reports the alleged occurrence of a criminal act, knowing the act did not occur, commits a simple misdemeanor unless the alleged criminal act reported is a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or felony, in which case the person commits a serious misdemeanor. 2. A person who reports or causes to be reported false information to a fire department, a law enforcement authority, or other public safety entity, knowing that the information is false, or who reports the alleged occurrence of a criminal act, knowing the act did not occur, commits a class “D” felony if the alleged criminal act reported is any of the following: a. A forcible felony under section 702.11. b. Intimidation with a dangerous weapon under section 708.6. c. An act of terrorism under chapter 708A. d. Unlawful possession of biological agents or diseases under chapter 708B. e. Any offense under chapter 712. 3. If the reported false information involves a criminal act under subsection 2 and the reported false information results in serious bodily injury to or the death of another person, the person reporting the false information commits a class “C” felony. For purposes of this subsection, a person causes serious bodily injury or death when the report of false information contributes to the other person’s serious bodily injury or death. 4. Except as provided in subsection 2, a person who telephones an emergency 911 communications center, knowing that the person is not reporting an emergency or otherwise needing emergency information or assistance, commits a simple misdemeanor. 5. Except as provided in subsection 2, a person who knowingly provides false information to a law enforcement officer who enters the information on a citation commits a simple misdemeanor unless the criminal act for which the citation is issued is a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or felony, in which case the person commits a serious misdemeanor. [R60, §1768; C73, §1566; C97, §2468; S13, §2468; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13110, 13111; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §714.31, 714.32; C71, 73, 75, 77, §714.31, 714.32, 714.42; C79, 81, §718.6] 95 Acts, ch 89, §12024 Acts, ch 1013, §1

Source: Iowa Legislature (legis.iowa.gov)URL: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/iowaCode/sections?codeChapter=718&year=2026Fetched: 10/20/2026