Theft Against an Older Individual and Other Crimes

Theft Against an Older Individual

The crime of theft against an older individual is the crime of theft that most of us think of when we talk about someone stealing something. Here, though, the law increases the criminal penalties against someone who steals from someone that they know or should have known is an older individual.

Who qualifies as an "older individual"?

For this law to apply, the victim must be 60 years old or older at the time of the theft.

Does the person who steals have to know the victim was 60 or older?

The person who committed the theft must have known or be in a position to know that the victim was 60 years old or older. If, for example, a person steals a car from the street without any idea whose car it is, this law will not apply. If the person stole the car knowing or having reason to know that its owner is 60 or older, this law may apply.

How are the penalties different for theft when it is against an older individual?

The criminal penalties for theft against an older individual are higher than the penalties for theft against someone who is not an older individual. 

See Iowa Code chapter 714 and section 714.2A.

Other Crimes

There are laws that apply only to older persons, like elder abuse, financial exploitation, and theft against an older individual. An older person can also be a victim of crimes that apply to the general public or other special groups. 

For example, purposely causing the death of an older person may be both elder abuse and murder. Physical violence may be domestic abuse, elder abuse, or assault. An older person might also be a dependent adult and be protected by the dependent adult abuse law.

The victim or a person concerned about the victim can report what has happened without knowing which criminal law applies or whether any law was broken. The prosecutor decides which laws apply and whether to file criminal charges.