If you find yourself involved in a lawsuit, the first thing you need to do is figure out whether it is a criminal case or a civil case. Understanding the difference between criminal law vs. civil law is essential to choosing the best defense for your case. Who’s Involved in Criminal Law vs. Civil Law Cases The …
Controlled Substance Schedules in Iowa
In Iowa, you can be arrested, tried and convicted for possession of an illegal substance, whether you have the intent to sell or not. You can be convicted of felony distribution or intent to distribute even if you don’t sell, but simply give or intend to give the drugs to another person. The illegal substances are …
How Illinois Marijuana Legalization will Affect Iowans
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed a new bill legalizing the sale and possession of marijuana starting January 1, 2020. Here is how the sale of legal marijuana in Illinois may affect Iowans. Purchasing & Possessing Marijuana in Illinois With the new legalization law, non-residents, including Iowans, will be able to purchase and use marijuana …
New Iowa Expungement Law
New Iowa Expungement law goes into effect July 1, 2019; as part of Senate File 589. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=88&ba=SF589 Division I- Expungements: Section 1 allows persons who have been convicted of public intoxication, simulated public intoxication or public consumption under either the state law or a local ordinance, to have the conviction expunged two years after conviction …
Your Right to an Independent Chemical Test
According to Iowa law, when you are arrested for an OWI, you have the right to an independent chemical test. This test would be in addition to any breath or urine tests administered by the arresting officer, and would come at your own expense. However, there is no independent chemical test right unless and until you …
New Iowa Temporary Restricted License Law
Last year a new Iowa temporary restricted license law went into effect, drastically changing how temporary restricted licenses (TRL) work in Iowa. No Periods of Ineligibility Under the new Iowa temporary restricted license law, there are no periods of ineligibility. This means that almost everyone is eligible for a TRL immediately, regardless of age, test consent …
Expungeable Offenses in Iowa
If you have been convicted of public intoxication or PAULA (Possession of Alcohol Under the Legal Age) you can get these charges expunged from your record in the state of Iowa. Requirements for Expungement To get your public intoxication or PAULA charge expunged, you must go 2 years (from the date of your conviction) without any law …
Assault Charges in Iowa
Assault charges in Iowa can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with the law. In Iowa, there are a number of different assault charges that can be brought against you, including but not limited to: Simple assault Assault causing injury Domestic assault Willful injury Assault as a Misdemeanor The degree of assault depends on the severity of the …
3 Things About Assault Charges You Probably Didn’t Know
There are many misconceptions about what constitutes assault. The greatest of these is the importance of intent. However there are many aspects of assault that can be confusing or misinterpreted. Here are three things about assault charges you probably didn’t know. Intent A person commits an assault when, without justification, the person does any of …
What is Accessory?
You don’t always have to be the one who commits a crime to be charged with a criminal offense. Just assisting someone who you know will commit or who has already committed a crime is grounds for arrest and imprisonment. An accessory is someone who assists or encourages or facilitates a crime, or knowingly helps …
License Revocation
Iowa no longer revokes drivers’ licenses for most drug possession convictions. However, what few realize is if you have had your driver’s license revoked for a drug-related conviction, and it is still revoked as a result, you probably can have it reinstated, because the law is retroactive. Iowa House File 2502, signed into law …
What to Expect at Your Arraignment
If you are arrested and formal charges are filed, the first court appearance you make is at your arraignment (and/or case management conference). This is the time you will enter your plea to the charge(s) against you, declaring if you plead guilty or not guilty. Typically you will be advised of the charges in writing …