PRACTICE AREAS

Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated or drugged: The conviction of a first offense carries a MANDATORY two-day jail sentence, suspension of your driver’s license, hefty fines and surcharges, mandatory substance abuse evaluation and completion of educational course about the dangers of drinking and driving. Prosecutors typically want to impose a jail sentence, suspend part of the jail time and place you on supervised probation. The two-day jail sentence may be able to be done at a qualified two-day educational program. You might be eligible for a deferred judgment. The outcome of a case depends on the facts and circumstances of the case and whether there is a prior criminal record or not. Things get worse if it’s not a first offense.

Every case, whatever it is, should be looked at by an experienced criminal defense attorney. A smart person (in a movie – Thelma and Louise) said, “the law is tricky shit” – and she was right.  Whether you want to plead and get it over with, whether there are facts not known to or not being considered by law enforcement, or whether your rights were violated, talk to me and I’ll get you through it.

Domestic abuse is an assault between persons who have or have had a “domestic” relationship in the recent past. It is treated differently than an assault between people who aren’t in a domestic relationship because there is a different dynamic in place when an intimate partner assaults the other partner. A conviction carries a MANDATORY minimum of two days in jail, mandatory attendance in the Iowa Domestic Abuse Program, continued court monitoring of compliance with the program, and, in most cases, supervised probation. There can be fines,  surcharges and court costs assessed upon conviction and a civil penalty if a deferred judgment is granted. You might be eligible for a deferred judgment. The outcome of a case depends on the facts and circumstances of the case and whether there is a prior criminal record or not.

Same advice as for misdemeanors – I take most felonies. The stakes are higher. The facts matter. The law, as it is being applied to you, matters. Your rights matter. Your life and the impact this has on you and your family matters. We will figure out what you want together, set a plan, and I’ll implement that plan to the best of my ability.