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Division of Student Life

Know the Law

Alcohol

What are the most common student conduct code violations or crimes involving alcohol?The most common violations involving alcohol include Possessing Alcohol While Under the Legal Age (PAULA) and Public Intoxication. It is illegal to possess alcohol in Iowa if you are under 21. Possession can mean that you are carrying or holding an alcohol beverage, or it is in a container that belongs to you like a backpack or a car, or you otherwise have the right to control the alcohol.

Assault

How is assault between or involving college students investigated?Assaults involving University of Iowa Students that occur on campus are investigated by the University of Iowa Police. Assaults that involve a Student that occur off campus are investigated by the local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction of that area. Assaults committed by a University of Iowa Student may be investigated by the Dean’s office, regardless of where they take place.

Destruction of Property

What is the definition of destruction of property?In Iowa, intentionally destroying, damaging or defacing the property of another is know as criminal mischief. What are the consequences of being accused of destruction of property?Criminal mischief is a crime and the penalty depends on the dollar amount of the damage that is done to the property. If the damage is less than $300, it is a simple misdemeanor. If the damage is over $1500 in value, the crime becomes a felony and can result in prison.

Domestic Violence

What is the legal definition of domestic violence?Domestic violence is any assault that is committed between two people who have any of the following relationships: Family or household members who are related, separated or divorced (former) spouses, people who are the parents of the same minor child, persons who have been family or household members residing together within the past year and are not residing together at the time of the assault, or people who are in or have been in an intimate relationship and have hand any contact with one another in the year preceding the assault.

Drugs

What is the definition of drug possession on campus? What constitutes drug charges?Possessing drugs is defined as having any illegal drug, or any prescription drug without being the holder of a valid prescription, in your personal possession. Possession can mean that you are carrying or holding a drug, or it is in a container that belongs to you like a backpack or a car, or you otherwise have the right to control the drug.

Drunk Driving

How is Drunk Driving defined in Iowa?Drunk Driving in Iowa is legally known as Operating While Intoxicated, or OWI. A person commits OWI when they operate a vehicle-sitting behind the wheel with the keys in the ignition counts-when they have a blood-alcohol content greater than . 08 grams per deciliter of blood as measured by a breath sample, or any time their ability to safely operate a vehicle has been impaired by alcohol or another drug.

Fake I.D.

What is the definition of a fake ID in Iowa? What are the most common charges associated with a fake ID?The law creates two separate crimes that are commonly referred to as “fake ID” in Iowa. The first is “Possession of a Fictitious ID”. This is a document that looks like an official ID card, usually a driver’s license, but is actual completely fictitious-It was not made by the state DOT but rather a private individual. Possession of a fictitious ID is a Serious Misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $430-$2560 and up to a year in jail.

Harassment

What constitutes harassment?Under Iowa law, a person commits harassment when, with intent to intimidate, annoy, or alarm another person, the person does any of the following:

Communicates with another by telephone, telegraph, writing, or via electronic communication without legitimate purpose and in a manner likely to cause the other person annoyance or harm. Places a simulated explosive or simulated incendiary device in or near a building, vehicle, airplane, railroad engine or railroad car, or boat occupied by another person.

If You’re Arrested

What attracts police attention?Generally speaking, anything out of the ordinary attracts police attention. The following are some examples:

Loud parties
Open containers of alcohol
The odor of marijuana
Traffic violations (speeding, weaving, running red lights)
Jay-walking
Appearing drunk in public
Acting nervous in response to the presence of police
How should I deal with police encounters?If you are stopped by the police, be polite and respectful. The police make the decision whether to arrest you or not, and treating them with respect goes a long way in making the interaction end well for you.

Noise Violation

A noise violation ticket in Iowa City is a simple misdemeanor crime referred to as "Disorderly House"

What is the definition of "excessive noise"?Excessive Noise is noise that is disturbing to your neighbors or the public at large. Any noise that can be heard across property lines could be considered excess noise. Can I receive a noise violation if I am making "excessive noise" not between the hours of 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM?Yes, the disorderly house law applies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Pornography

What is the definition of pornography? When is pornography illegal?Pornography is printed or visual material containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activity, intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings. The creation or possession of pornography that depicts individuals under the age of 18 is a serious crime. Can I get in trouble for pornography at the University of Iowa?Possession of Illegal pornography is a serious crime that would result in serious consequences from the University. There is also the issue of possession of illegally obtained legal pornography.

Protesting

The First Amendment protects your right to assemble and express your views through protest. However, there are certain restrictions, placed by government officials and law enforcement, that negotiate certain speech rights we believe to have. We believe it is not only important to stay up to date with these current events, but also be knowledge on your rights to be fully prepared when making your way out onto the streets.

Residential Conduct & Community Standards

Do my college or university’s policies on residential conduct apply only if I live in a residence hall?The University Code of conduct applies wherever a student is located. University Housing and Dining policies apply only in residence halls, but apply to guests as well as residents. What are the policies on parties and party hosting?Parties in residence halls are not permitted. What am I prohibited from having in my residence hall room?Alcohol is prohibited in the residence halls regardless of age. All illegal items are strictly prohibited. Many other items are not allowed in the residence halls.

Sexual Misconduct / Harassment / Assault

What are the definitions of sexual assault, misconduct and harassment?Sexual misconduct is a broad term encompassing any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that is committed without consent or by force, intimidation, coercion, or manipulation, including both sexual harassment and sexual assault.

Stalking

What is the definition of stalking? Under Iowa Law, a person commits Stalking when they do all of the following:

The person purposefully engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear bodily injury to, or the death of, that specific person or a member of the specific person's immediate family.

Theft

What is the definition of theft? What are the consequences of theft?Theft is defined as taking the property of another, without their permission, and with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. The criminal consequences for theft depend on the value of the item taken and can range from a fine up to a prison sentence. Beyond the criminal consequences, having a theft conviction on your record can make it difficult to obtain employment in the future.

Threats

What is the definition of a threat?A threat is telling a person that you are going to do some act that you have no legal right to do. How are threats investigated?Threats are investigated by local law enforcement and if the threat involves the University or a University Faculty, Staff Member or Student, by the University. What should I do if I feel like I’m receiving threats or being threatened?If you are threatened you should contact law enforcement.

Trespass

What is the definition of trespassing?Iowa Law defines trespassing to be any of the following actions:

Entering upon or in property without the express permission of the owner, lessee, or person in lawful possession with the intent to commit a public offense, to use, remove therefrom, alter, damage, harass, or place thereon or therein anything animate or inanimate, or to hunt, fish or trap on or in the property, including the act of taking or attempting to take a deer, other than a farm deer as defined in section 170. 1 or preserve whitetail as defined in section 484C.

Weapons

What is the definition of a weapon? What crimes are associated with weapons?Weapons are prohibited on campus. A weapon includes guns, knives intended for self defense as opposed to cooking, tasers, batons, martial arts weapons, and other items. The penalties for committing a crime are often significantly increased if a weapon was used during its commission. It is also illegal to carry a concealed weapon on your person unless you have a state issued concealed weapons permit.