1. “Contraband” includes but is not limited to any of the following:
a. A controlled substance or a simulated or counterfeit controlled substance, hypodermic
syringe, or intoxicating beverage.
b. A dangerous weapon, offensive weapon, pneumatic gun, stun gun, firearm
ammunition, knife of any length or any other cutting device, explosive or incendiary
material, instrument, device, or other material fashioned in such a manner as to be capable
of inflicting death or injury.
c. Rope, ladder components, key or key pattern, metal file, instrument, device, or other
material designed or intended to facilitate escape of an inmate.
2. The sheriff may x-ray a person committed to the jail, or the department of corrections
may x-ray a person under the control of the department, if there is reason to believe that the
person is in possession of contraband. A licensed physician or x-ray technician under the
supervision of a licensed physician must x-ray the person.
3. A person commits the offense of possessing contraband if the person, not authorized
by law, does any of the following:
a. Knowingly introduces contraband into, or onto, the grounds of a secure facility for
the detention or custody of juveniles, detention facility, jail, community-based correctional\n\nTue Dec 09 21:55:48 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 719 (30, 0)
§719.7, OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE 4\n\nfacility, correctional institution, or institution under the management of the department of
corrections.
b. Knowingly conveys contraband to any person confined in a secure facility for the
detention or custody of juveniles, detention facility, jail, community-based correctional
facility, correctional institution, or institution under the management of the department of
corrections.
c. Knowingly makes, obtains, or possesses contraband while confined in a secure facility
for the detention or custody of juveniles, detention facility, jail, community-based correctional
facility, correctional institution, or institution under the management of the department of
corrections, or while being transported or moved incidental to confinement.
4. A person who possesses contraband or fails to report an offense of possessing
contraband commits the following:
a. A class “C” felony for the possession of contraband if the contraband is of the type
described in subsection 1, paragraph “b”.
b. A class “D” felony for the possession of contraband if the contraband is any other type
of contraband.
c. An aggravated misdemeanor for failing to report a known violation or attempted
violation of this section to an official or officer at a secure facility for the detention or custody
of juveniles, detention facility, jail, community-based correctional facility, correctional
institution, or institution under the management of the department of corrections.
5. Nothing in this section is intended to limit the authority of the administrator
of any secure facility for the detention or custody of juveniles, detention facility, jail,
community-based correctional facility, correctional institution, or institution under the
management of the department of corrections to prescribe or enforce rules concerning
the definition of contraband, and the transportation, making, or possession of substances,
devices, instruments, materials, or other items.
[C73, §1663; C97, §2712; S13, §4913-a; SS15, §2713-n16; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §13365, 13366,
13368; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §745.15, 745.16, 745.18; C79, 81, §719.7]
83 Acts, ch 96, §120, 159; 99 Acts, ch 163, §1; 2007 Acts, ch 89, §1; 2018 Acts, ch 1020, §1 – 3
\n
Notes of Decisions
Cited in
41
cases (
11 in the last 5 years), 1996–2025 · leading case:
State v. Allen, 708 N.W.2d 361 (Iowa 2006).
State v. Allen, 708 N.W.2d 361 (Iowa 2006).
· cites it 38× “8; and (3) possession of contraband in a correctional institution and/or conspiracy to possess contraband in a correctional institution in violation of Iowa Code sections 719.7 and/or 706.1 and 719.7. Pursuant to a plea agreement, the State agreed to dismiss the possession with…”
State of Iowa v. Curtis Vance Halverson, 857 N.W.2d 632 (Iowa 2015).
· cites it 20× “See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c). As a result, the claim was not preserved; however, our ordinary preservation rules do not apply to claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.”
State v. Mitchell, 650 N.W.2d 619 (Iowa 2002).
· cites it 5× “8 and concluded that, because a prior reference to “detention facility” had been removed from section 719.7 and that section 719.8 now provides the basis for a criminal charge of conveying contraband in a “detention facility,” defendant was charged under the wrong statute.”
McCabe v. MacAulay, 551 F. Supp. 2d 771 (N.D. Iowa 2007).
· cites it 2× “7” or "Iowa Code section 719.7” in portions of the Motion.”
Shepard v. Wapello Cnty., Iowa, 250 F. Supp. 2d 1112 (S.D. Iowa 2003).
· cites it 3× “See Iowa Code § 719.7 (4)(B) (“A person who possesses contraband or fails to report an offense of possessing contraband” as set forth under § 719.”
State v. Dyer, 551 N.W.2d 320 (Iowa 1996).
· cites it 2× “Defendant Ricky Dyer appeals the judgment and sentence entered upon his conviction of furnishing intoxicants to inmates in violation of Iowa Code section 719.7 (1995) on the basis that he received ineffective assistance of counsel.”
State of Iowa v. Dominick Ronald Marcott (Iowa Ct. App. 2014).
· cites it 35× “See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c) (2011). Marcott claims his valid prescription for methylphenidate shows his possession was with “authority of law.”
State of Iowa v. Raul Louis Liendo (Iowa Ct. App. 2025).
· cites it 17× “2d 473 , 482 (Iowa 2023) (“[W]ords used in a jury 1 Iowa Code section 719.7(3) provides three ways to commit the offense of “possessing contraband.”
State v. Dearborn (Iowa Ct. App. 2018).
· cites it 15× “See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c).5 However, the record belies Dearborn’s claim.”
State Of Iowa, Vs. Angela Marie Allen (Iowa 2006).
· cites it 25× “At the same time, section 719.7 provided: A person not authorized by law who furnishes or knowingly makes available an intoxicating beverage to an inmate at a detention facility, correctional institution, or an institution under the management of the Iowa department of…”
— Iowa Code § 719.7(1) — 4 cases
— Iowa Code § 719.7(1)(a) — 5 cases
State of Iowa v. Curtis Vance Halverson, 857 N.W.2d 632 (Iowa 2015).
“See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c). As a result, the claim was not preserved; however, our ordinary preservation rules do not apply to claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.”
State of Iowa v. Dominick Ronald Marcott (Iowa Ct. App. 2014).
“See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c) (2011). Marcott claims his valid prescription for methylphenidate shows his possession was with “authority of law.”
— Iowa Code § 719.7(1)(b) — 4 cases
State of Iowa v. Curtis Vance Halverson, 857 N.W.2d 632 (Iowa 2015).
“See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c). As a result, the claim was not preserved; however, our ordinary preservation rules do not apply to claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.”
— Iowa Code § 719.7(1)(c) — 1 case
State of Iowa v. Dominick Ronald Marcott (Iowa Ct. App. 2014).
“See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c) (2011). Marcott claims his valid prescription for methylphenidate shows his possession was with “authority of law.”
— Iowa Code § 719.7(3) — 7 cases
State of Iowa v. Curtis Vance Halverson, 857 N.W.2d 632 (Iowa 2015).
“See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c). As a result, the claim was not preserved; however, our ordinary preservation rules do not apply to claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.”
State v. Mitchell, 650 N.W.2d 619 (Iowa 2002).
“8 and concluded that, because a prior reference to “detention facility” had been removed from section 719.7 and that section 719.8 now provides the basis for a criminal charge of conveying contraband in a “detention facility,” defendant was charged under the wrong statute.”
State of Iowa v. Raul Louis Liendo (Iowa Ct. App. 2025).
“2d 473 , 482 (Iowa 2023) (“[W]ords used in a jury 1 Iowa Code section 719.7(3) provides three ways to commit the offense of “possessing contraband.”
State of Iowa v. Dominick Ronald Marcott (Iowa Ct. App. 2014).
“See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c) (2011). Marcott claims his valid prescription for methylphenidate shows his possession was with “authority of law.”
— Iowa Code § 719.7(3)(a) — 13 cases
State of Iowa v. Raul Louis Liendo (Iowa Ct. App. 2025).
“2d 473 , 482 (Iowa 2023) (“[W]ords used in a jury 1 Iowa Code section 719.7(3) provides three ways to commit the offense of “possessing contraband.”
State v. Dearborn (Iowa Ct. App. 2018).
“See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c).5 However, the record belies Dearborn’s claim.”
— Iowa Code § 719.7(3)(b) — 1 case
State v. Mitchell, 650 N.W.2d 619 (Iowa 2002).
“8 and concluded that, because a prior reference to “detention facility” had been removed from section 719.7 and that section 719.8 now provides the basis for a criminal charge of conveying contraband in a “detention facility,” defendant was charged under the wrong statute.”
— Iowa Code § 719.7(3)(c) — 7 cases
State of Iowa v. Curtis Vance Halverson, 857 N.W.2d 632 (Iowa 2015).
“See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c). As a result, the claim was not preserved; however, our ordinary preservation rules do not apply to claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.”
State of Iowa v. Dominick Ronald Marcott (Iowa Ct. App. 2014).
“See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c) (2011). Marcott claims his valid prescription for methylphenidate shows his possession was with “authority of law.”
State v. Dearborn (Iowa Ct. App. 2018).
“See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c).5 However, the record belies Dearborn’s claim.”
— Iowa Code § 719.7(4) — 1 case
State of Iowa v. Raul Louis Liendo (Iowa Ct. App. 2025).
“2d 473 , 482 (Iowa 2023) (“[W]ords used in a jury 1 Iowa Code section 719.7(3) provides three ways to commit the offense of “possessing contraband.”
— Iowa Code § 719.7(5) — 1 case
State of Iowa v. Dominick Ronald Marcott (Iowa Ct. App. 2014).
“See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c) (2011). Marcott claims his valid prescription for methylphenidate shows his possession was with “authority of law.”
— Iowa Code § 719.7(l)(a) — 1 case
State of Iowa v. Curtis Vance Halverson, 857 N.W.2d 632 (Iowa 2015).
“See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c). As a result, the claim was not preserved; however, our ordinary preservation rules do not apply to claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.”
— Iowa Code § 719.7(l)(fc) — 1 case
State of Iowa v. Curtis Vance Halverson, 857 N.W.2d 632 (Iowa 2015).
“See Iowa Code § 719.7 (3)(c). As a result, the claim was not preserved; however, our ordinary preservation rules do not apply to claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the
Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and
treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.