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Iowa Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Iowa?

Arrest records are public information in Iowa pursuant to Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code, commonly known as the Iowa Open Records Law. This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Iowa Open Records Law serves to promote transparency in government operations and accountability within the criminal justice system. Members of the public may access these records through various channels established by state and local agencies.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains that criminal history information, including arrest data, is considered public record under Iowa Code § 692.18. However, certain exceptions exist to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and other sensitive information as outlined in Iowa Code § 22.7. Law enforcement agencies throughout Iowa are required to maintain these records and make them available for public inspection in accordance with established protocols.

How to Look Up Iowa Arrest Records in 2025

The State of Iowa provides multiple avenues for accessing arrest records in 2025. These records are maintained by various law enforcement agencies and court systems throughout the state. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following methods:

Submit requests directly to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation for statewide criminal history information.
Access the Iowa Courts Online portal for court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.
Contact county sheriff's offices where the arrest occurred for local detention records.
Visit district court clerk offices in person to review public case files.
Utilize the Iowa Offender Search database for information on individuals currently in the corrections system.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety processes criminal history record checks pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 692.2. Requesters must complete the appropriate forms and submit the required identification verification. For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may contact:

Iowa Department of Public Safety
215 E 7th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 725-6066
Iowa Department of Public Safety

County-level arrest records may be obtained through local sheriff's departments. For example:

Johnson County Sheriff's Office
511 S Capitol Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 356-6020
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Johnson County Sheriff's Office

Contents of an Iowa Arrest Record

Iowa arrest records contain standardized information as required by the Uniform Crime Reporting Program administered by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. These records typically include:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including Iowa Code citations
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency identification
Booking photographs (mugshots) and fingerprint data
Detention status and bond information
Case disposition information when available
Court docket numbers for associated legal proceedings

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records maintained by the Iowa State Patrol may differ slightly from those kept by municipal police departments or county sheriff's offices. All arrest records must comply with the standards established by Iowa Administrative Code 661-Chapter 8.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Iowa is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. Iowa Code Chapter 22, the Open Records Law, establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access government records, including those related to arrests. This statute operates under the presumption that government records shall be open to public inspection unless specifically exempted.

Iowa Code § 22.2(1) states: "Every person shall have the right to examine and copy a public record and to publish or otherwise disseminate a public record or the information contained in a public record." This provision forms the legal basis for public access to arrest information maintained by law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

The Iowa Judicial Branch maintains court records related to arrests and criminal proceedings in accordance with Iowa Court Rule 16.401, which governs public access to court records. District courts throughout Iowa's 99 counties serve as repositories for these records, with clerk offices providing public access terminals for record searches. The Iowa Courts Online system facilitates electronic access to many of these records.

Limitations on access are codified in Iowa Code § 22.7, which enumerates specific categories of confidential records. These include certain investigative reports, juvenile arrest records, and records that would jeopardize ongoing law enforcement operations. Additionally, Iowa Code § 692.8 provides for the confidentiality of intelligence data maintained by criminal justice agencies.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Iowa

Iowa law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access or sealed from general view. The Iowa Code contains several provisions addressing expungement eligibility and procedures:

Iowa Code § 901C.2 permits the expungement of dismissed cases or acquittals under the following conditions:

All charges in the case were dismissed, or the defendant was acquitted on all charges
At least 180 days have passed since the dismissal or acquittal
Court costs, fees, and financial obligations have been paid
The case was not dismissed due to the defendant being found incompetent to stand trial

For certain alcohol-related offenses, Iowa Code § 123.46(6) provides expungement opportunities two years after conviction if the individual has had no other criminal convictions during that period. Additionally, Iowa Code § 907.9 addresses the expungement of deferred judgments after successful completion of probation.

The expungement process typically requires filing a petition with the District Court where the case was adjudicated. Petitioners must use standardized forms provided by the Iowa Judicial Branch and may need to attend a hearing. Upon granting an expungement, the court will issue an order directing relevant agencies to seal or remove the records from public access.

Linn County Clerk of Court
51 Third Avenue Bridge
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
(319) 398-3411
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Linn County Clerk of Court

Background Check Requirements and Limitations

Iowa law establishes specific parameters for the use of arrest records in background checks, particularly for employment purposes. The Iowa Civil Rights Act (Iowa Code Chapter 216) prohibits discrimination in employment based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction. Employers must exercise caution when utilizing arrest information in making hiring decisions.

For official background checks, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation serves as the central repository for criminal history information. Pursuant to Iowa Code § 692.2, authorized entities may request criminal history data for specific purposes, including:

Employment screening for positions involving vulnerable populations
Professional licensing requirements
Volunteer screening for organizations serving children or dependent adults
Housing applications for certain federally subsidized programs
Adoption and foster care placement evaluations

Requesters must submit the appropriate forms and pay the statutory fee, currently set at $15 per name-based check. Fingerprint-based checks, which provide more comprehensive results, require submission of fingerprint cards and an additional processing fee. The Iowa Administrative Code 661-11.2 establishes the procedures for requesting these records.

Iowa participates in the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, which allows for interstate exchange of criminal history information through the FBI's National Crime Information Center. This participation enables authorized Iowa agencies to access national criminal history databases for certain background check purposes as specified in Iowa Code § 692.17.