Iowa Code 803.3 – Place of trial — special provisions
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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The following special provisions apply:
1. If conduct or results which constitute elements of an offense occur in two or more counties, prosecution of the offense may be had in any of such counties. In such cases, where a dominant number of elements occur in one county, that county shall have the primary right to proceed with prosecution of the offender.
Attorney's Note
Under the Iowa Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Simple misdemeanor | up to 30 days | between $105 and $855 |
Terms Used In Iowa Code 803.3
- 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
- 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
- Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
2. If an offense commenced outside the state is consummated within this state, trial of the offense shall be held in the county or counties in which the offense is consummated or the interest protected by the involved penal statute is impaired.
3. If an offense is committed in or upon any conveyance in transit, and it cannot readily be determined in which county the offense was committed, trial of the offense may be held in any county through or over which the conveyance passed in the course of its journey.
4. If an offense is committed on the boundary of two or more counties, and it cannot readily be determined within which county the commission took place, trial of the offense may be held in any of the counties concerned.
5. If a simple misdemeanor is committed in a city which is located in two or more counties, venue shall be in the county in which the seat of government of the city is located. However, if the simple misdemeanor is committed in conjunction with an offense greater than a simple misdemeanor, the trial of the simple misdemeanor shall be in the county where the greater offense was committed as provided in section 803.2.
6. If the offense is a traffic offense, or a scheduled offense under section 805.8A, 805.8B, or 805.8C, section 805.13 shall apply.
7. a. If a person is charged with a violation of the tax laws arising out of individual tax liability, venue is in the county of residence of the person charged with the offense, unless the person is a nonresident of this state or the residence of the person cannot be established, in which event venue is in Polk county.
b. If a person is charged with a violation of the tax laws arising out of a business, venue is in any county where business was conducted. If a specific county cannot be established as a situs, venue is in Polk county.
c. If a person is charged with a violation of section 453B.12, venue is in the county of the residence of the person charged with the offense or the county in which the drugs were found.
d. If a person is charged with a violation of the tax laws in which venue is set under multiple provisions of this section, venue is in any county in which one of the charges may be prosecuted.