Specific financial crimes increased in 2021 due to social and economic changes. From money laundering to identity theft, the number of scams and fraudulent transactions remained high. For Iowa consumers, at least five trends were prevalent in 2021. Debit or credit...
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The police might make mistakes in a DUI case
If you are seen driving in an erratic fashion, your vehicle may be stopped by an Iowa police officer. Depending on what the officer finds after making contact with you, it's possible that you will be charged with drunk or impaired driving. Of course, there is a chance...
Handling a police interrogation in Iowa
If you have ever been in an interrogation room, you know that it can be an intense and stressful experience. This is a place where innocent people can end up making mistakes that cost them their freedom. It is important to understand your rights and what you should do...
Eyewitness defense testimony is problematic
Eyewitness testimony for crimes committed in Iowa can make or break a case. However, several high-profile cases involving wrongful convictions show that eyewitness testimony is not always accurate and can lead to problems, even though such accounts are deemed crucial....
Iowa laws regarding heroin
Heroin is an addictive drug that can have severe consequences for those who use it, so in Iowa, there are laws meant to help protect people from the dangers of heroin. Here are the rules you should know regarding heroin possession, distribution and trafficking....
What to know about OWI in Iowa
Every state enacts laws to combat drunk driving to keep roads safe, even if they use different initials. While most states call it DUI, Iowa calls it OWI, or operating under the influence. Drivers in West Des Moines, Iowa, who get caught drunk driving face several...
Iowa cocaine charges and penalties
The penalties for violating Iowa’s drug laws can be severe. Individuals found in possession of small quantities of controlled substances are usually charged with misdemeanors and may avoid prison altogether, but people accused of manufacturing, trafficking or...
When is DUI a felony or a misdemeanor?
Iowa has one of the strictest impaired driving laws in the nation. While some states set the bar for a felony charge at a fourth offense for DUI, Iowa lowers that standard to three impaired driving arrests. Iowa does follow the standardized guideline of .08 BAC when...
When is eyewitness testimony unreliable?
When a compelling eyewitness takes the stand, a jury may feel swayed to believe what the person says. Not all eyewitness testimony is credible, though. A defense attorney might point out several holes in the witness's statements, and an Iowa jury might exceed...
What to know about Iowa’s drunk driving penalties
Most Iowa residents are charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated when chemical tests reveal that they were behind the wheel with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, but the BAC threshold is reduced for commercial vehicle drivers and motorists...
