Here is a recent article in Iowa City’s newspaper about local criminal history searches: http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20110511/NEWS01/105110331/UI-study-Local-employers-screen-for-criminal-records?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage […]
Category: Criminal Law
We Only Accept Specific Criminal Cases
My law firm is able to provide excellent service and highly-knowledgeable advice due to the limited number and type of cases that we accept. First off, we only take criminal cases. That means that our knowledge base is not diluted by spending time with lawsuits, civil cases, divorces, wills, real estate, traffic tickets or any […]
California Drug Search Goes Overboard
Please take a look at this recent story involving a law professor and a search warrant executed on his residence: http://www.sfweekly.com/2011-02-16/news/pot-raid-sfpd-castro-law-professor-clark-freshman-sue/ […]
Iowa Code §124.414 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia)
124.414 Drug paraphernalia. 1. a. As used in this section, “drug paraphernalia” means all equipment, products, or materials of any kind used or attempted to be used in combination with a controlled substance, except those items used in combination with the lawful use of a controlled substance, to knowingly or intentionally and primarily do any of the following: (1) Manufacture […]
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Iowa Code §321.216A (Possession of Fake ID)
321.216A Falsifying driver’s licenses, nonoperator’s identification cards, or forms. It is a serious misdemeanor for a person to do any of the following: 1. Make a driver’s license, a nonoperator’s vehicle identification card, or a blank driver’s license form if the person has no authority or right to make the license, card, or form. 2. Obtain, possess, […]
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 […]
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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Johnson County Drug Court Information
Drug Courts are fantastic programs considering any political standpoint you may hold. Not only do they improve the livelihood and well-being of offenders, but the State saves a considerable amount of taxpayer money and strain on community resources. Compared to a defendant given a prison sentence, Drug Court clients are less likely to re-offend and […]
PAULA's to be Expunged (Finally)
An amendment to the Iowa Public Intoxication law takes affect today (7/1/10), and now makes PAULA convictions eligible to be expunged. House Study Bill 643 was passed earlier this year and amends Iowa Code Section 123.46, which relates to Public Intoxication. Previously, only Public Intoxication convictions were eligible to be expunged. Now, a person convicted […]
Thompson Law Office Wins Felony Jury Trial
On Tuesday, April 20, 2010, a Johnson County jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty for Mark Thompson’s criminal jury trial. The defendant was charged with Burglary in the Third Degree (a class D Felony). The state alleged that the defendant entered the downtown apartment of the victim without permission, left behind some clothing, stole […]