STATE OF IOWA PLEA AGREEMENT

(Court–Ready Template)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Definitions
3. Operative Provisions
      3.1 Charges Subject to This Agreement
      3.2 Defendant’s Plea and Waivers
      3.3 State’s Obligations
      3.4 Sentencing Terms
      3.5 Conditions Precedent/Subsequent
4. Representations & Warranties
5. Covenants
6. Default & Remedies
7. Risk Allocation
8. Dispute Resolution
9. General Provisions
10. Execution Block

1. DOCUMENT HEADER

Plea Agreement (“Agreement”) entered into this ___ day of _, 20 (“Effective Date”) by and between:

• The State of Iowa, by and through the Office of the County Attorney for [COUNTY], Iowa (“State”); and
• [DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME], DOB [--____], (“Defendant”).

Recitals
A. Defendant has been charged in [Case No. ______] pending before the Iowa District Court for [COUNTY] (“Court”) with the criminal offense(s) set forth herein.
B. The Parties desire to resolve all pending charges through a negotiated plea pursuant to Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.10, subject to Court approval.
C. In consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings contained herein, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows.

2. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement (capitalized terms apply throughout):

“Agreed Sentence” – The specific sentencing outcome set forth in Section 3.4.
“Charges” – The criminal counts identified in Section 3.1.
“Court” – The Iowa District Court for [COUNTY], or any successor judge assigned.
“Defendant” – [DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME].
“Effective Date” – As set forth in the Document Header.
“State” – The State of Iowa, acting through the [COUNTY] County Attorney.

[// GUIDANCE: Add additional defined terms as needed to suit case‐specific facts.]

3. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

3.1 Charges Subject to This Agreement

a. Count 1: [STATUTORY CITATION], [Offense Description], a [Class ___ Felony/Aggravated Misdemeanor].
b. Count 2: [If applicable] ____.
c. All additional counts, enhancements, or companion cases [list or mark “N/A”].

3.2 Defendant’s Plea and Waivers

a. Plea Entry – Defendant shall plead [GUILTY/NO CONTEST] to Count(s) ____ at arraignment or hearing scheduled for [DATE].
b. Trial Rights Waived – By this plea, Defendant knowingly waives the constitutional rights to: jury trial, confrontation, compulsory process, presumption of innocence, and protection against self-incrimination.
c. Appeal Waiver – Except for (i) ineffective assistance of counsel claims, (ii) challenges to an illegal sentence, or (iii) matters expressly reserved herein, Defendant waives the right to direct appeal under Iowa R. App. P. 6.101.
d. Immigration Notice – Defendant understands that a guilty plea may have immigration, naturalization, or deportation consequences.

3.3 State’s Obligations

a. Dismissed/Amended Counts – Upon acceptance of the plea, the State will move to [dismiss/amend] the following: ___.
b. Sentencing Recommendation – The State will recommend the Agreed Sentence and will not seek any greater sentence than stated herein.
c. Victim Input – The State shall confer with any victims pursuant to Iowa Code § 915.13.

3.4 Sentencing Terms

a. Agreed Sentence –
1. Confinement: [] years incarceration at the Iowa Department of Corrections, with [] years mandatory minimum [if applicable].
2. Probation/Deferred: [Deferred judgment / suspended sentence / probation for ___ years].
3. Fines/Surcharges: [Specify amounts].
4. Restitution: As determined pursuant to Iowa Code ch. 910.
5. Credit for Time Served: [Yes/No], calculated by the County Sheriff.
b. Concurrent/Consecutive – Sentence to run [CONCURRENTLY/CONSECUTIVELY] with Case No. ____.
c. Special Conditions – Substance abuse evaluation, mental-health treatment, no-contact orders, ignition interlock, etc.

[// GUIDANCE: Conform subsections to offense class, mandatory minimums, and any sentencing enhancements.]

3.5 Conditions Precedent/Subsequent

a. Court Acceptance – The plea is conditioned upon Court approval under Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.10(4).
b. Presentence Investigation (PSI) – Parties agree [to waive / not to waive] a PSI under Iowa Code § 907.3.
c. Deferred Judgment Eligibility – If Defendant is statutorily ineligible on sentencing date, State may withdraw from Sections 3.1–3.4.

4. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES

4.1 By Defendant
a. Defendant is competent, has reviewed this Agreement with counsel, and enters the plea voluntarily.
b. No promises other than those contained in this Agreement have been made.
c. Defendant is satisfied with legal counsel’s advice and performance.

4.2 By State
a. State’s representatives have authority to bind the State to this Agreement.
b. All discovery obligations under Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.13 have been satisfied.

4.3 Survival – Representations and warranties survive acceptance of the plea and sentencing.

5. COVENANTS

5.1 Cooperation – Defendant shall provide truthful information and, if required, testimony in related matters.
5.2 Notification – Defendant must inform probation/parole officers of any change in residence within 72 hours.
5.3 Compliance Monitoring – Defendant consents to reasonable searches and testing consistent with probation conditions.

6. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

6.1 Events of Default
a. Defendant’s failure to appear at any court proceeding.
b. Material misrepresentation or withholding of information.
c. Commission of new criminal offense prior to sentencing.

6.2 State Remedies
a. Withdrawal from this Agreement and reinstatement of dismissed/amended charges.
b. Use of all statements made by Defendant pursuant to this Agreement in subsequent prosecution.
c. Pursuit of maximum statutory sentence.

6.3 Notice and Cure – Except for willful failure to appear or new criminal conduct, Defendant shall have 10 days after written notice to cure any default.

7. RISK ALLOCATION

7.1 Indemnification – Not applicable; the Parties acknowledge no civil indemnity obligations arise from a criminal plea.
7.2 Limitation of Liability – Liability is limited to the Agreed Sentence and any restitution ordered by the Court.
7.3 Force Majeure – Not applicable.

8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

8.1 Governing Law – This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Iowa.
8.2 Forum Selection – Exclusive jurisdiction lies with the Iowa District Court for [COUNTY].
8.3 Arbitration – Not available for criminal matters.
8.4 Jury Waiver – Jury trial rights are waived pursuant to Section 3.2(b).

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Entire Agreement – This document constitutes the complete agreement; no prior agreements survive.
9.2 Amendment & Waiver – Must be in writing, signed by both Parties, and approved by the Court.
9.3 Assignment – Non-assignable; binds only the Parties and their legal successors.
9.4 Severability – If any provision is invalid, remaining provisions remain enforceable.
9.5 Counterparts & Electronic Signatures – May be executed in counterparts and by electronic means pursuant to Iowa Code ch. 554D.

10. EXECUTION BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

Attorneys of Record:
- For the State: [ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY NAME], Iowa Bar #_
- For Defendant: [DEFENSE COUNSEL NAME], Iowa Bar #_

Court Approval
The foregoing Plea Agreement is hereby ACCEPTED / REJECTED on this ___ day of _, 20.

[JUDGE NAME], Judge of the Iowa District Court for [COUNTY]

[// GUIDANCE:
1. Verify all statutory citations (e.g., Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.10; Iowa Code §§ 907.3, 910.1-.8, 915.13) prior to filing.
2. Confirm victim-impact requirements and restitution amounts before sentencing.
3. For felony pleas, ensure written plea is filed as required by Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.8(2)(b).
4. When deferring judgment, attach required financial affidavit if civil penalty will be assessed.
5. Modify Sections 3.4 and 6 to address mandatory minimums (e.g., OWI, forcible felonies) or youthful offender statutes.
6. File in compliance with Iowa Court Rules regarding electronic filing and confidential information redaction. ]