Incest is marriage or sexual relations between close relatives. The criminal offense of incest may also be known as prohibited sexual conduct. Laws vary from state to state, but incest laws generally prohibit marriage or sexual relations between (1) a person’s ancestor or descendant by blood or adoption; (2) a person’s current or former stepchild or stepparent; (3) a person’s parent’s brother or sister of the whole or half blood; (4) a person’s brother or sister of the whole or half blood or by adoption; (5) the children of a person’s brother or sister of the whole or half blood, or by adoption; or (6) the son or daughter of a person’s aunt or uncle of the whole or half blood or by adoption.

Lack of consent to sexual relations between such relatives is not an element of the crime, and persons may be guilty of the crime even if both parties consented.

Laws regarding incest or prohibited sexual contact vary from state to state and are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code. The crime is a felony offense in many states, with potential punishment of significant jail or prison time.

In Iowa, incest is defined as a person marrying or engaging in a sexual act with a relative to whom they are closely related by blood or marriage. Specifically, Iowa law prohibits sexual relations or marriage between parents and children, siblings, half-siblings, aunts and uncles with nieces and nephews, and certain other close relatives, whether by blood or adoption. This prohibition applies regardless of the age of the parties involved and consent is not a defense to a charge of incest. Incest is considered a felony in Iowa and can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment. The relevant statutes can be found in the Iowa Code, which outlines the specifics of the offense and the associated legal consequences.