HF 2012 (LSB 5199YH (2) 86)

HOUSE FILE 2012

BY  KOOIKER

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the limitation of action for the criminal offense of accessory after the fact, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  802.2C  Accessory after the fact.

   An indictment or information for the offense of accessory after the fact in violation of section 703.3 that involves a murder in the first degree shall be found within ten years after commission of the offense of accessory after the fact.
    Sec. 2.  Section 802.3, Code 2016, is amended to read as follows:
   802.3  Felony —— aggravated or serious misdemeanor.

   In all cases, except those enumerated in section 802.1, 802.2, 802.2A, 802.2B, 802.2C, or 802.10, an indictment or information for a felony or aggravated or serious misdemeanor shall be found within three years after its commission.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the limitation of action (statute of limitations) for the criminal offense of accessory after the fact.
   The bill provides that an indictment or information for the offense of accessory after the fact in violation of Code section 703.3 that involves a murder in the first degree shall be found within 10 years after the commission of the offense of accessory after the fact. Current law provides that such violation shall be found within three years after the commission of the offense of accessory after the fact. 
   A person who commits the offense of accessory after the fact involving a murder in the first degree commits an aggravated misdemeanor.
   An aggravated misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than two years and a fine of at least $625 but not more than $6,250.