The 4th Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees citizens the security of their person and property from unreasonable searches and seizures by law enforcement. With new technology, our search and seizure protections in Iowa are more critical than ever....
Federal Crimes
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...
What you need to know about money laundering in Iowa
Money laundering is a crime that often conjures up thoughts of the Mafia. However, any Iowa resident can face these types of charges. Understanding money laundering Money laundering is a crime that is committed through illegal activity with the purpose of gaining...
When is credit card fraud considered a federal crime?
Credit card fraud charges are a serious concern for those living in Iowa and elsewhere. These charges can be serious and may even involve federal prosecution. Protecting yourself against these felony charges is important. Is credit card fraud a federal crime? Most...
The most common types of financial crimes
If you live in Iowa, you may benefit from learning about some of the most frequent types of financial crimes people commit. These crimes are nonviolent offenses committed by or against a person or group resulting in a financial loss or an illegal conversion of...
What you need to know about wire fraud
Wire fraud is very common in Iowa and around the world. This type of fraud happens through social media, texts, emails or phone calls. It generally involves someone scamming the victim out of a lot of money by tricking them into giving them their bank account...
Types of felonies and the maximum sentences they carry
Felonies represent the most serious types of criminal charges lodged against Iowa residents. A variety of offenses can result in a felony indictment. Law enforcement officials group these crimes into categories based on levels of seriousness. A conviction can cost a...
If you violate a site’s terms of service, are you a criminal?
The federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) could be considered a harsh law by any standards. For the offense of "accessing a computer and obtaining information," you could be sentenced to up to 5 years in federal prison on a first offense.Could you be sentenced...
Study: The FBI’s blue jean wear mark analysis is not reliable
Over the last year, the nonprofit investigative newsroom ProPublica has published a series of articles that called into question whether some forensic techniques produce reliable results. One of the techniques questioned is the matching of wear marks along the seams...
Federal First Step Act has brought over 2,400 reduced sentences
The federal First Step Act was passed in late 2018 in an effort to reverse course on some overly harsh sentences that had been passed down over the last several decades. It also allowed for the early release of terminally ill people and passed a variety of reforms to...
