With the icy weather and cold temperatures invading Iowa, it’s time for another reminder of the whole “O” in the OWI offense. For whatever reason, Iowa has decided to call the “DUI” offense “OWI.” The law refers to this as both “Operating While Intoxicated” and in the same statute, “Operating While under the Influence.” So […]
Month: December 2009
The First Court Date in Iowa Criminal Procedure
There are two ways to begin your contact with the court for an Iowa criminal charge, and both are called the Initial Appearance. (Note, do not confuse this with the Preliminary Hearing, or even the Pretrial Conference, all are very different). The first way to have your Initial Appearance is by being summoned at a […]
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Criminal Sentencing
After a defendant is determined to be guilty of a given a offense, whether by plea or trial, a sentencing hearing will be set. Sentencing is where penalties are determined by the court, and is also the point where a conviction would take effect. For lower-level crimes, such as simple misdemeanors, sentencing will usually occur […]
A Clean Criminal Record – Iowa Law
According to a new Wall Street Journal article, and from the experiences I have seen working out of my law office, people are trying more and more to expunge, or erase their criminal histories. A criminal history creates a unique problem for some charged with a criminal offense in Iowa. Aside from the small exception for […]