Although it's perfectly legal to seek a mortgage to finance your Iowa home, you must get the right amount toward that loan. Unfortunately, fraud does occur, including mortgage fraud. This is a federal crime that is taken very seriously, which means the consequences...
Criminal Defense
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...
Disorderly conduct in Iowa
In Iowa, individuals can be arrested for disorderly conduct when they engage in a variety of different activities. Disorderly conduct includes any public behavior that may offend other people. The disorderly conduct statute is broad and includes multiple types of...
Can police lie while interrogating?
If you are taken into custody by police in Iowa, you might wonder what your rights are. Among other things, you may have heard that police cannot lie to you to get a confession, but this is not true. Police and lying There are a lot of myths about police work and what...
What is wire fraud?
Residents of Iowa who have been charged with financial crimes may want to know more about what counts as wire fraud. This type of fraud involves use of the internet or telecommunications. Understanding wire fraud Areas where individuals can commit wire fraud include...
What can the police do when they search?
While you may not ever want to think about getting arrested in Iowa, it may happen. Understanding what your rights are regarding searches and seizures is a necessity so that you can be sure they're abided by the police officer that arrests you. Many of these rights...
Do the police always have to read you your Miranda rights?
Most people are familiar with the fact that when a person is arrested, they're read their Miranda rights. This is a common thing that you'll see in all criminal law television shows. However, many Iowa residents get confused when it comes to exactly when an officer...
Contesting against the implied consent law
Anyone who operates a motor vehicle in Iowa must adhere to implied consent laws. These laws give authorities the right to ask a motorist to submit to blood, urine or Breathalyzer tests if there is reason to believe that the motorist is under the influence of drugs or...
Standards for proof beyond a reasonable doubt
If an Iowa court is trying a person for a criminal conviction, then the persecution must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. It is the most challenging type of case to prove, as it is the highest standard of proof required by courts. Non-criminal cases,...
Speak up to stay quiet: asserting your right to remain silent
We've all seen movies and television shows where a person is arrested and is told, "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." This line is not just used for dramatic effect in these films. You do have a...
