IA Bar Criminal Law and Procedure 2

Question 1

What is the Iowa statute of limitations for most felonies?

Accepted Answer

3 years

Answer

Iowa generally imposes a 3-year statute of limitations for most felonies, though murder and certain other serious offenses have no limitations period.

Question 2

Under Iowa law, what is the difference between robbery and burglary?

Accepted Answer

Robbery involves taking property from a person by force; burglary involves unlawful entry into a structure with criminal intent

Answer

Robbery requires taking property directly from a person through force or threat, while burglary involves entering or remaining in a structure without permission with intent to commit a crime.

Question 3

In Iowa, what rights does a defendant have at a preliminary hearing?

Accepted Answer

The right to counsel, to cross-examine witnesses, and to present evidence

Answer

At a preliminary hearing in Iowa, the defendant has the right to be represented by counsel, to cross-examine prosecution witnesses, and to present evidence establishing that probable cause does not exist.

Question 4

What is the Iowa defense of justification (self-defense) standard?

Accepted Answer

A person may use reasonable force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to defend against imminent use of unlawful force

Answer

Iowa's self-defense standard requires a reasonable belief that force is necessary to prevent imminent unlawful force, and the force used must be proportional to the threat.

Question 5

What does the Iowa 'Stand Your Ground' law provide?

Accepted Answer

A person has no duty to retreat before using reasonable force in self-defense in any place they have a right to be

Answer

Iowa enacted a Stand Your Ground law that removes the duty to retreat before using reasonable force, including deadly force, in any location where the person has a legal right to be.

(IA Bar) Iowa Bar Exam Practice Test

(IA Bar) Iowa Bar Exam Practice Test

IA Bar Criminal Law and Procedure 2