The Fourth Amendment protects Iowa residents against unreasonable searches and seizures, but police officers are permitted to conduct warrantless searches when they have probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed. Police dogs are trained to detect even...
West Des Moines Criminal Defense Law Blog
What should a pilot do after getting a OWI charge in Iowa?
Many people can recall a time when they did something potentially unsafe after consuming alcohol. Whether you didn't know how intoxicated you were or it was a one-time situation, either instance can lead to an OWI charge in Iowa. As a pilot, it's understandable to...
The penalties for possessing or distributing heroin in Iowa
Lawmakers in Iowa view heroin as a major threat to public safety, and individuals convicted of possessing small quantities of the drug can be sent to jail for up to a year even if they have never been in trouble with the law before. However, the harshest penalties are...
Know the life-altering consequences of a criminal conviction
When a person is arrested in Iowa, the potential for incarceration and fines comes to the forefront. However, they often forget the extended ramifications that can be just as troublesome. A criminal history can be problematic in life Those with a criminal record often...
Knowing what happens when credit card fraud affects merchants
Credit card fraud impacts innocent people in Iowa and other areas at break-neck speed daily. Although consumers fall victim to this crime, merchants are sometimes on the hook when it happens. This is who pays when merchants are victims of credit card fraud....
Mounting a challenge to a breath test
Breath tests are tools that Iowa law enforcement uses to measure the blood alcohol concentration of individuals suspected of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. While breath tests are often considered reliable evidence, they are not infallible, and there are...
Spotting car insurance fraud
Car accidents in Iowa are costly in any form, especially physical damage, medical bills, and time to complete these tasks. To defend against car insurance fraud, learn how to identify the different types of car insurance fraud, including injury fraud, damage claims,...
How valid are roadside drug tests?
Iowa police are permitted to roadside drug tests to gather evidence that a person possesses illicit drugs. But an increasing body of evidence shows that roadside drug tests are questionable at best. Despite such evidence, police continue to use these drug tests as a...
Iowa criminals and factors that cause crime
Sociologists and other professionals may look at criminals and their behavior to theorize why people break the law. Some assert that habitual criminals might repeatedly find themselves in an Iowa criminal court because they are victims of their environment. Others...
How incarceration impacts mental health
Incarcerated Iowa residents face a number of potential issues relating to their prison sentences. In addition to the long-term financial problems caused by incarceration, mental health struggles among inmates are common. These struggles relate to losing their sense of...