Criminal Law and Procedure Flashcards
6 cards from real IA BAR practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Criminal Law and Procedure flashcards as text
What is the Iowa statute of limitations for most felonies?
Answer: 3 years
Iowa generally imposes a 3-year statute of limitations for most felonies, though murder and certain other serious offenses have no limitations period.
Under Iowa law, what is the difference between robbery and burglary?
Answer: Robbery involves taking property from a person by force; burglary involves unlawful entry into a structure with criminal intent
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.
In Iowa, what rights does a defendant have at a preliminary hearing?
Answer: The right to counsel, to cross-examine witnesses, and to present evidence
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.
What is the Iowa defense of justification (self-defense) standard?
Answer: A person may use reasonable force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to defend against imminent use of unlawful force
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.
What does the Iowa 'Stand Your Ground' law provide?
Answer: A person has no duty to retreat before using reasonable force in self-defense in any place they have a right to be
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.
In Iowa, what is required for a valid search warrant?
Answer: Probable cause, specificity of place to be searched and items to be seized, and judicial approval
A valid search warrant in Iowa requires a showing of probable cause to a judge, a specific description of the place to be searched and items sought, and the judge's signature.