Iowa Code 716.10 – Railroad vandalism
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1. A person commits railroad vandalism when the person does any of the following:
a. Shoots, fires, or otherwise discharges a firearm or other device at a train or train component.
b. Launches, releases, propels, casts, or directs a projectile, missile, or other device at a train or train component.
c. Intentionally throws or drops an object on or onto a train or train component.
d. Intentionally places or drops an object on or onto a railroad track.
e. Without the consent of the railway corporation, takes, removes, defaces, alters, or obscures any of the following:
(1) A railroad signal.
(2) A train control system.
(3) A train dispatching system.
(4) A warning signal.
(5) A highway-railroad grade crossing signal or gate.
(6) A railroad sign, placard, or marker.
f. Without the consent of the railway corporation, removes parts or appurtenances from, damages, impairs, disables, interferes with the operation of, or renders inoperable any of the following:
(1) A railroad signal.
(2) A train control system.
(3) A train dispatching system.
(4) A warning signal.
(5) A highway-railroad grade crossing signal or gate.
(6) A railroad sign, placard, or marker.
g. Without the consent of the railway corporation, taking, removing, disabling, tampering, changing, or altering a part or component of any operating mechanism or safety device of any train or train component.
h. Without the consent of the railway corporation, takes, removes, tampers, changes, alters, or interferes with any of the following:
(1) A railroad roadbed.
(2) A railroad rail.
(3) A railroad tie.
(4) A railroad frog.
(5) A railroad sleeper.
(6) A railroad switch.
(7) A railroad viaduct.
(8) A railroad bridge.
(9) A railroad trestle.
(10) A railroad culvert.
(11) A railroad embankment.
(12) Any other structure or appliance which pertains or is appurtenant to a railroad.
Attorney's Note
Under the Iowa Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class B felony | up to 25 years | |
| Class C felony | up to 10 years | between $1,370 and $13,660 |
| Class D felony | up to 5 years | between $1,025 and $10,245 |
| Aggravated misdemeanor | up to 2 years | between $855 and $8,540 |
| Serious misdemeanor | up to 1 year | between $430 and $2,560 |
| Simple misdemeanor | up to 30 days | between $105 and $855 |
Terms Used In Iowa Code 716.10
- Convicted: means the entry of a judgment of conviction under chapter 901 or adjudicated delinquent for an act which is an indictable offense in this state or in another state under chapter 232. See Iowa Code 716.13
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
- person: means individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity. See Iowa Code 4.1
- property: includes personal and real property. See Iowa Code 4.1
- state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the said district and territories. See Iowa Code 4.1
2. a. A person commits railroad vandalism in the first degree if the person intentionally commits railroad vandalism which results in the death of any person. Railroad vandalism in the first degree is a class “B” felony. However, notwithstanding section 902.9, subsection 1, paragraph “b”, the maximum sentence for a person convicted under this section shall be a period of confinement of not more than fifty years.
b. A person commits railroad vandalism in the second degree if the person intentionally commits railroad vandalism which results in serious injury to any person. Railroad vandalism in the second degree is a class “B” felony.
c. A person commits railroad vandalism in the third degree if the person intentionally commits railroad vandalism which results in bodily injury to any person or results in property damage which costs more than ten thousand dollars to replace, repair, or restore. Railroad vandalism in the third degree is a class “C” felony.
d. A person commits railroad vandalism in the fourth degree if the person intentionally commits railroad vandalism which results in property damage which costs ten thousand dollars or less but more than one thousand five hundred dollars to replace, repair, or restore. Railroad vandalism in the fourth degree is a class “D” felony.
e. A person commits railroad vandalism in the fifth degree if the person intentionally commits railroad vandalism which results in property damage which costs more than seven hundred fifty dollars but does not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars to replace, repair, or restore. Railroad vandalism in the fifth degree is an aggravated misdemeanor.
f. A person commits railroad vandalism in the sixth degree if the person intentionally commits railroad vandalism which results in property damage which costs more than three hundred dollars but does not exceed seven hundred fifty dollars to replace, repair, or restore. Railroad vandalism in the sixth degree is a serious misdemeanor.
g. A person commits railroad vandalism in the seventh degree if the person intentionally commits railroad vandalism which results in property damage which costs three hundred dollars or less to replace, repair, or restore. Railroad vandalism in the seventh degree is a simple misdemeanor.
3. For purposes of this section:
a. “Railway corporation” means a corporation, company, or person owning, leasing, or operating any railroad in whole or in part within the state.
b. “Train” means a series of two or more train components which are coupled together in a line.
c. “Train component” means any locomotive, engine, tender, railroad car, passenger car, freight car, box car, tank car, hopper car, flatbed, container, work equipment, rail-mounted equipment, or any other railroad rolling stock.