A second OWI in Iowa

The second offense moves up a grade and the minimum multiplies: seven days rather than forty-eight hours, served in the county jail or a community-based correctional facility, against a ceiling of two years. The fine band starts at $1,875 and reaches $6,250 before the surcharges chapter 911 adds on top. Separately from the criminal sentence, the licence is revoked for a year — and that revocation runs on the administrative track, which is why it can arrive before the criminal case is decided.

Start from what the statute forces and what it leaves to the judge. The floor here is at least seven days, up to two years. Everything above that floor is argued, and the same conviction can end up served in custody, on work release or as a condition of probation depending on the county and the judge. What no one can promise you is a sentence below the statutory minimum — that is not a question of persuasion.

Aggravated misdemeanor: at least seven days, up to two years, and a fine of $1,875 to $6,250. The range is set by Iowa Code § 321J.2(2)(b), (4)(a)–(c), and the figures on this page come from the statute rather than from a summary of it.

Iowa revokes your driving privileges after an OWI whether or not the court convicts you. The way back is a temporary restricted license, and on a first offense you need a device on every vehicle you drive to get one. A medical waiver exists for offenses from 1 January 2025, verified by a doctor. The device requirement and the criminal penalty are separate tracks: one is handled by the court, the other by Iowa DOT, Motor Vehicle Division.