Definitions
This page provides explanations to terms used throughout the dashboard.
Please note that the information below, including the described terms and levels of offense, do not encompass all offenses or penalties that exist within the laws of the State of Iowa. You are advised to check the specific offense in the Iowa Code to determine the minimum and maximum penalties. For any case-specific or offense-specific questions, you are advised to consult with a lawyer. However, for the vast majority of the offenses and penalties, the information below applies.
Bookings
“Booking” refers to the legal process taken by the jail as the result of an individual being arrested or detained.
Charges
Primary Charge
The primary charge is the main offense for which an individual was arrested. It is usually the charge which has the potential to carry the most serious or longest sentence.
Related Charge
Related charges are the secondary or subsequent offenses charged at or about the same time as the primary charge. Related charges often are alleged offenses that occur at or about the same time as the primary charge. Related charges are typically are for less serious offenses than the primary charge.
Felonies
A public offense is considered a felony if the law designates it as a felony. Felony offenses have been determined to be more serious offenses than misdemeanors and can result in lengthy prison sentences and other penalties. Felonies are classified as class “A” felonies, class “B” felonies, class “C” felonies, and class “D” felonies.
Class A Felony
An individual who is found guilty of a class A felony shall be sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole unless the governor commutes the sentence.
Class B Felony
A class B felony is an offense where, if convicted, an individual shall not be sentenced to more than 25 years in prison.
Class C Felony
A class C felony is an offense where, if convicted and not a habitual offender, an individual shall not be sentenced to more than ten years in prison. In addition to the sentence, the individual shall be assessed a fine of at least $1,370 but not more than $13,660 plus a 15% surcharge.
Class D Felony
A class D felony is an offense where, if convicted and not a habitual offender, an individual shall not be sentenced to more than five years in prison. In addition to the sentence, the individual shall be assessed a fine of at least $1,025 but no more than $10,245 plus a 15% surcharge.
Forcible Felony
A “forcible felony” is any felonious charge of child endangerment, assault, murder, sexual abuse, kidnapping, robbery, human trafficking, arson in the first degree, or burglary in the first degree. An individual convicted of and serving a sentence for a forcible felony is not eligible for parole or work release until the individuals has served at least 70% of the maximum term of the individual’s sentence.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanor
A public offense is considered a misdemeanor if the law designates it as a misdemeanor. Misdemeanor offenses have been determined to be less serious than felonies and can result in prison sentences, jail sentences, and other penalties. Misdemeanors are classified as Aggravated misdemeanors, Serious misdemeanors, and Simple misdemeanors.
Aggravated Misdemeanor
An aggravated misdemeanor is an offense where, if convicted, an individual shall not be sentenced to more than two years in prison. In addition to the sentence, the individual shall be fined at least $855 but not more than $8,540 plus a 15% crime services surcharge.
Serious Misdemeanor
A serious misdemeanor is an offense where, if convicted, an individual shall not be sentenced to more than one year in jail. In addition to the sentence, the individual shall be fined at least $430 but not more than $2,560 plus a 15% crime services surcharge.
Simple Misdemeanor
A simple misdemeanor is an offense where, if convicted, an individual shall not be sentenced to more than 30 days in jail. In addition to the sentence, the individual can be fined at least $105 but not more than $855 plus a 15% crime services surcharge.
One well-known crime that does not follow the above rules is the minor in possession of alcohol conviction. Although it is considered a simple misdemeanor, one must pay a minimum of a $250 fine plus court costs and surcharge.
Other
For the purpose of this dashboard category, Other offenses most often constitute Parole Violations, Probation Violations, and Arrest Without Warrant. While Parole and Probation Violations are categorized as Other charges, they may also be considered Contempt and/or Violations of Scheduled conditions if they meet the requirements in the Iowa Code. Arrest Without Warrant charges may be used to navigate the extradition process between states or if a peace officer has probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and the individual being booked into the jail committed it.
Habitual Offender
An habitual offender is any individual convicted of a class “C” or a class “D” felony, who has twice before been convicted of any felony, in any state or by the U.S. federal government. An individual sentenced as an habitual offender is sentenced to 15 years in prison and is not eligible for parole until the individual has served the minimum sentence of imprisonment of three years.
Top Charges by Top Charge Class
| Main Charge Class | Subcharge Descriptions |
|---|---|
| SCHEDULED VIOLATION | TRESPASS 1ST OFFENSE, FAILURE TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FINANCIAL LIABILITY (INSURANCE), SPEEDING |
| AGGRAVATED MISDEMEANOR | DRIVING WHILE BARRED, OPERATING WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE 2ND OFFENSE, THEFT 3RD DEGREE, ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO INFLICT SERIOUS INJURY, STALKING |
| FELONY CLASS D | THEFT 2ND DEGREE, ELUDING - SPEED OVR 25 OVER LIMIT, POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE-3RD OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE, WILLFUL INJURY CAUSING BODILY INJURY |
| SIMPLE MISDEMEANOR | INTERFERENCE WITH OFFICIAL ACTS, PUBLIC INTOXICATION, POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, HARASSMENT 3RD DEGREE |
| SERIOUS MISDEMEANOR | OPERATING WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE 1ST OFFENSE, ASSAULT CAUSING BODILY INJURY OR MENTAL ILLNESS, DOMESTIC ABUSE ASSAULT- INJURY OR MENTAL ILLNESS - 1ST OFF, POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 1ST OFFENSE |
| FELONY CLASS C | POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITH INTENT TO DELIVER – LESS THAN 5g OF METH, THEFT 1ST DEGREE, BURGLARY 2ND DEGREE |
| FELONY CLASS B | POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITH INTENT TO DELIVER – MORE THAN 5g OF METH, BURGLARY 1ST DEGREE, SEXUAL ABUSE - 2ND DEGREE |
| NON-SCHEDULED VIOLATION | RECKLESS DRIVING, LEAVE SCENE OF ACCIDENT - PROPERTY DAMAGE ONLY, DRIVE WITH SUSPENDED/DENIED/REVOKED LICENSE OR REGISTRATION |
| CONTEMPT | CONTEMPT - VIOLATION OF NO CONTACT OR PROTECTIVE ORDER, CONTEMPT-ANY OTHER ACT OR OMISSION DECLARED A CONTEMPT |
| OTHER | VIOLATION OF PROBATION, VIOLATION OF PAROLE, ARREST WITHOUT WARRANT, ARREST WITH WARRANT FROM ANOTHER JURISDICTION |
Demographics
In order to understand the makeup of the jail population, a break of an individual’s age at booking, gender, ethnicity, race, and housing status are collected at booking. All demographic data is self-identified by the individual being booked into the jail.
Age Group
Reports the percentage of individuals in a specific age category booked into the jail in a given month based on the age at booking.
Gender
Reports the percentage of individuals booked into the jail in a given month by gender. Gender is self-reported at time of booking.
Ethnicity
Reports the percentage of individuals booked into the jail in a given month by ethnicity. Ethnicity is self-reported at time of booking.
Race
Reports the percentage of individuals booked into the jail in a given month by race. Race is self-reported at time of booking.
Unhoused Status
Reports the percentage of individuals booked into the jail in a given month by housing status, Housed or Unhoused. Housing status is self-reported at time of booking.
Sentencing
The court ordered and assigned location and timeframe for the concequences of a sustained legal offence
Sentence Count
Inmates waiting in jail/holding but but not on trial (wait listed)
Un-Sentenced Count - Pre-trial starting
Inmates awaiting sentencing but housed until trial.
Arresting Agency
The agency on record arresting or apprehending the booked individual, based on the most severe charge for that booking.
Other Definitions or Details
Average Monthly Population
Reports the average number of individuals in the Polk County Jail on a monthly basis.
Last Reported
The last reported data represents the most recent data extraction for the month.
Highest Charge per Booking
Due to the complexity of charges and the possibility that an individual may have more than one charge per booking, this dashboard visualization ONLY represents the most severe charge for each booking. It is also important for the user to understand that charges can be added or removed after booking and can change based on the decisions made by the Court.
Total Population
Reports the number of individuals in the custody of Polk County Jail.