West Des Moines Iowa Criminal Defense Law Blog

In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court said that "plea bargaining . . . is not some adjunct to the criminal justice system; it is the criminal justice system."

Over 95% of all criminal charges in the U.S. are resolved via plea bargain. That's not simply because bringing all those people to trial would grind the courts to a halt. It's often because prosecutors use specific techniques to coerce people into agreeing to plead guilty.

The holiday season is a time when people have a lot going on, from workplace events to neighborhood get-togethers and family parties. Alcohol is ubiquitous, and some people will indulge too much before driving.

According to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, 800 people died in drunk-driving accidents last December alone. Over 10,000 people died over the course of the year.

Going off to college is often a time for young adults to step outside of their regular routine. This typically involves moving away from your parents and living on your own or with a roommate. Living by yourself for the first time can bring up a lot of questions. You could have some concerns about your privacy rights while you are living on campus. Each university has unique guidelines that you must follow if you wish to live on campus. If you plan on living in a dorm, you may want to read over your university's housing policy. 

Even as marijuana use gains popularity and acceptance across the country, law enforcement agencies continue to pour resources into pursuing marijuana-related crimes. This includes states like Iowa where marijuana remains illegal on the state level. 

However, officials are not just arresting people for traditional use, possession, sale and manufacturing. They are expanding their efforts to enforce marijuana-related crimes, thanks to vaping.