DES MOINES, IOWA (June 24, 2019) — Iowa is getting some much-needed updates to our state’s criminal penalties.
A bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform bill, SF589, passed the Legislature unanimously this year, and was signed into law by [Governor Kim Reynolds] on May 16. The bill goes into effect on July 1.
The new law will allow many misdemeanor offenses to be expunged. That means those who’ve turned their lives around can apply to have certain infractions removed from their record.
It’s about recognizing that people can change their lives and earn a second chance.
Employers may be reluctant to hire someone with a criminal record, and landlords may not want to rent to them. The social stigma can limit future success and quality of life, but expunging the record — when it’s warranted — can open up new opportunities and allow offenders to move forward.
The new law also changes the penalties for public intoxication. Starting July 1, all public-intoxication offenses will be simple misdemeanors in Iowa. In the past, a first offense for public intoxication was a simple misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail. A second offense for public intoxication was considered a serious misdemeanor, with a potential penalty of up to one year behind bars. A third offense for public intoxication was an aggravated misdemeanor, which could put the offender in prison for up to two years.
It’s important that the punishment fit the crime and that we don’t overburden our corrections system with non-violent offenders and those at low risk of offending again. These smart-on-crime changes will allow our corrections system to focus its resources more effectively on dealing with violent and high-risk offenders.
Additional information
This is a legislative update by State Senator Jim Lykam, representing Davenport and Buffalo. For bio, photos and further information, go towww.senate.iowa.gov/senator/lykam.
To contact Sen Lykam when the Legislature is in session, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-281-3371. Otherwise he can be reached at 563-391-1919. E-mail him at jim.lykam@legis.iowa.gov.
Sen Lykam serves on the following committees:
