The state of Iowa recognizes the right of people to defend themselves from the use of unlawful force. Commonly known as self-defense laws, these statutes define the use of reasonable force and where and when you may take action to protect yourself or others from the...
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The elements of a burglary charge in Iowa
Most people associate burglary with theft, but the main element of a burglary charge is entering an occupied structure with the intent to commit a crime. Most people who are charged with burglary in Iowa are accused of entering a building without permission to commit...
Illegal search/seizures and your Fourth Amendment rights
Search and seizures performed by Iowa law enforcement officials involve searching or taking possession of someone's property. The property can include real estate, personal belongings, data and other items. Law enforcement typically takes these actions while...
Types of money laundering in Iowa
Understanding what is and isn't money laundering in Iowa can sometimes be confusing. The concept of money laundering can cover many types of behavior, and it might not be apparent at first what applies and what doesn't. Money laundering falls under the category of...
The slippery slope known as accounting fraud
Accounting fraud is a deliberate and willful misleading of financial records in an effort to deceive the public about a company's financial well-being. Sometimes, employees are involved in the falsification and cover-up of fiscal impropriety designed to dupe the...
Maximum sentences for Iowa felonies
Iowa has set maximum sentences for felonies committed in the state. The maximum sentence for a felony, class 'A' in Iowa, is life. Class A punishment also requires no possibility of parole. The governor may only commute this sentence. Maximum sentences for felonies in...
Criminal penalties for cocaine sales in Iowa
Iowa state law treats the sale of cocaine harshly. The federal classification of cocaine is a Schedule I narcotic, and the penalties for selling cocaine vary according to the amount of cocaine you possess. Consequences of possession can range from jail time, fines and...
Understanding money laundering
Money laundering in Iowa is any of a number of techniques that hide the source of money, usually to conceal the fact that the money was acquired through criminal activity. Money laundering itself is a crime, and it is often charged alongside other crimes. What money...
Common trends in financial crimes in 2021
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...
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...
