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pROTECTING tHE RIGHTS OF IOWANS

CRIMINAL & DRUNK DRIVING DEFENSE ATTORNEYS
DES MOINES, IA.
6 MARCH 2009

Iowa Supreme Court upheld the suppression of a chemical blood test result obtained from our client in an operating while intoxicated charge. The court was asked to decide whether the blood test which was withdrawn without consent and without a warrant would run afoul of Iowa law.
DES MOINES, IA.
14 APRIL 2009

GRL Law's client failed chemical breath test, criminal charges filed, and The State of Iowa dismissed all the criminal charges due to the police officer’s misrepresentations.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
13 MAY 2009

CDL Saved -
OWI 2nd Amended

Drunk Driving Second Offense charge amended to Public Intoxication and CDL (commercial driver's license) and non-commercial driving privileges saved for Gourley, Rehkemper & Lindholm client.

[Read at OWI 2nd Amended CDL Saved]
DES MOINES, IA.
15 MAY 2008

Law enforcement agencies refuse to respond to public requests for copies of criminal records, even when the request comes from the person charged with the crime. However, under the Iowa Freedom of Information Act, the law requires agencies to comply with such requests, and provides that courts can assess damages for their failure to do so. Attorney Robert Rehkemper addresses Iowa's laws and your rights to information at:
Iowa Criminal Records
DES MOINES IOWA.
19 MAY 2009

Evidence suppressed and DRUNK DRIVING charge amended to public intoxication. GRL client's driver's license was never suspended.

[Read at DUI Evidence Suppressed - Driver's License Saved]
DES MOINES IOWA.
JUNE 1, 2009.

An OWI 3rd offense was reduced to public intoxication and reckless driving. The Gourley, Rehkemper & Lindholm client never lost his drivers license because the hearing with the Department of Transportation was also won.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
JUNE 17, 2009.

State of Iowa vs.
Andrea LaForge

Iowa Court of Appeals throws out blood test result but refuses to dismiss Vehicular Homicide charge.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
60 pounds of marijuana suppressed!

The defendant was stopped because police felt that his windows were tinted too much, and the vehicle failed to present a front license plate. Police officers stopped the vehicle and conducted a warrantless search. The police found 63 pounds of marijuana, the evidence was obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Evidence suppressed!
iowa sex offender & registration laws change july 1, 2009

Effective July 1, 2009, recent amendments designed to provide necessary exceptions and leniency for those convicted of sex crimes warranting treatment, and better protection for the public from potential re-offenders go into effect.

See Iowa Sex Offender Registration Laws Change.
DES MOINES IOWA.
2 SEPTEMBER 2009

Operating while intoxicated second offense dismissed based upon the State not being able to proceed due to lack of evidence.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
10 SEPTEMBER 2009

Operating while intoxicated case dismissed and driver’s license spared due to officer incorrectly invoking implied consent based upon the fact that the client was on prescription medication.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
16 SEPTEMBER 2009

Hamilton County operating while intoxicated charge dismissed after judge grants defendant’s motion to suppress evidence. Driving privileges reinstated.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
17 SEPTEMBER 2009

Iowa Court of Appeals reverses GRL Law clients conviction for operating while intoxicated, second offense, finding that the arresting officer violated Iowa Code § 804.20 when he cut her phone call short after only 15 minutes of speaking with her father.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
25 SEPTEMBER 2009

Dallas County possession of marijuana charge dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence after the filing of defendant’s motion to suppress evidence.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
29 SEPTEMBER 2009

Iowa County possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to distribute marijuana and tax stamp violation charges put in jeopardy following the Court’s suppression of 63 pounds of marijuana.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
5 OCTOBER 2009

Driving privileges spared. Petition for Judicial Review was granted challenging the Iowa Department of Transportation’s attempt to suspend a GRL Law client’s driving privileges for operating while intoxicated when the arresting officer failed to advise him of the consequences to his commercial driver’s license if he took the test and failed as opposed to refused the test. The Court on Judicial Review of the Iowa Department of Transportation’s action found that they could not disqualify the client’s driving privileges because failure to provide the required advisory violated Iowa Code § 321J.8 and Due Process under the Iowa and United States Constitutions.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
5 OCTOBER 2009

Operating while intoxicated case dismissed and driver’s license spared after winning motion to suppress due to the officer not having a valid reason for stopping client when he failed to use his turn signal when changing lanes or getting onto an on-ramp.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
6 OCTOBER 2009

Warren County Operating While Intoxicated charge amended from 2nd Offense down to Simple Misdemeanors, Public Intoxication and Reckless Driving. Test refusal was suppressed and driving privileges spared.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
7 OCTOBER 2009

Driving privileges spared when administrative law judge concludes that arresting officer violated licensee’s right to phone calls when he failed to provide him an opportunity to place calls upon his arrival at the police station after the licensee asked to place a phone call immediately upon being advised he was going to be arrested.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
9 OCTOBER 2009

Operating While Intoxicated 1st offense amended to public intoxication and reckless driving following the arresting officer improperly advising the client about the applicable periods of license suspension. Clients non-commercial and commercial driving privileges were spared.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
12 OCTOBER 2009

Operating While Intoxicated 1st offense amended to public intoxication and reckless driving following a successful motion to suppress based upon the fact that the officer who invoked implied consent was not certified. Client’s driver’s license was spared.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
16 OCTOBER 2009

Polk County OWI charge amended to Reckless Driving after motion to suppress is granted on the grounds that the arresting officer did not have reasonable grounds to believe the defendant was operating while intoxicated prior to requesting the preliminary breath test.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
16 OCTOBER 2009

Polk County carrying weapons charge dismissed by prosecution for lack of evidence.

WIN
DES MOINES IOWA.
26 OCTOBER 2009

Jasper County Operating While Intoxicated charge dismissed with costs assessed to the State after defendant’s motion to suppress was filed alleging violation of defendant’s right to phone calls and that the officer did not have reasonable grounds to invoke implied consent or probable cause to arrest defendant.

WIN

vehicular homicide

iowa vehicular homicide defense attorney

Hit and Run - DUI Drunk Driving Accident

Drunk driving (DUI-OWI) charges are serious in their own right, but things go from bad to worse when someone is fatally injured in a drunk driving accident. If you are charged with vehicular homicide or vehicular manslaughter, you face serious and substantial mandatory jail time (up to 25 years), heavy fines, losing your driving privileges (up to 6 years) and a class B criminal felony record.

Our Des Moines, Iowa, criminal defense attorneys understand that serious criminal charges call for a serious and aggressive criminal defense. We do not take a "wait and see" attitude and react to what the prosecution does. We believe in being proactive and taking an aggressive approach at mounting the best possible defense.

At Gourley, Rehkemper & Lindholm, we begin our investigation immediately. Our criminal defense attorneys question witnesses, comb through the police report, investigate the accident scene, and challenge any perceived impropriety by the police or the prosecution, or any violation of your constitutional rights.

When alcohol is suspected in a car accident that resulted in death or serious injury to an individual other than the driver, law enforcement is investigating the most serious OWI/DUI related offense. As you can see below, no intent is required. This charge is filed when an individual who is operating while intoxicated accidentally causes the death of another by driving drunk.

Know Your Rights * Exercise Your Rights * Preserve Your Freedom

What the driver does and says from his/her first interaction with law enforcement may determine whether or not he/she is placed under arrest to eventually spend the next 25 years in an Iowa state prison. The majority of these cases are investigated while the suspect is receiving medical care at the hospital. That being said for the majority of these cases the only evidence of alcohol or drug impairment comes from what the suspect voluntarily gives law enforcement. Please read and understand "Your Rights" before you find yourself in such a predicament.

Whether your vehicular homicide charges stem from drunk driving (DUI-OWI), from reckless driving, or from driving while on drugs, the experienced criminal defense lawyers at Gourley, Rehkemper & Lindholm can provide you with a skilled, aggressive defense designed to bring you the best possible results.

Contact a Des Moines vehicular homicide defense lawyer today. We have the knowledge and energy to aggressively defend you. We offer free consultations and evening and weekend appointments. Your freedom is too important to trust to less experienced lawyers.

Vehicular Homicide laws

An individual commits vehicular homicide when:
(1) Unintentionally causes death of another; by
(2) Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Penalties:

  • Mandatory 25 years imprisonment; Judge may not give probation or defer judgment. Prison sentence must be imposed. If convicted the Judge has no choice but to send you to prison. Furthermore bail is not available pending appeal or while awaiting sentencing.
  • Fine of up to $10,000 but not less than $1,000 plus 32% surcharge, court costs, $125 Law Enforcement Initiative Surcharge and $10 DARE surcharge;
  • Mandatory $150,000 restitution to victim's estate;
  • Substance abuse evaluation and treatment if recommended;
  • Drinking drivers course; and
  • Mandatory 6 year license suspension.

Serious Injury by Vehicle

An individual commits vehicular homicide when:
(1) Unintentionally causes a serious injury (bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ or major bodily member, or which causes the loss of any bodily member) by
(2) Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Contact Us Today

1-877 GRL-LAWS
1-877 475-5297


Initial Consultation Free

Penalties:

Mandatory 5 years imprisonment. Judge may not give probation or defer judgment. Prison sentence must be imposed.

• Fine of up to $7,500 but no less than $750 plus 32% surcharge, court costs, $125 Law Enforcement Initiative Surcharge and $10 DARE surcharge;

• Substance abuse evaluation;

• Drinking drivers course; and

• Restitution to the injured person(s).

Additional 1 year license suspension.

 

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