Category: GRL Law

Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Slain Anamosa Correctional Officer, Robert McFarland

Protect those who protect us.  Positive change must come out of a preventable tragedy. The mobilization of the corrections community to force change within the Iowa Department of Corrections starts now. According to the Director of the Iowa Department of Corrections, Beth Skinner, “staff safety is my main priority as director.”   Skinner has publicly claimed, “I recognize that Iowa Corrections System staff are our most important and valuable assets.”  The Iowa Department of Corrections, actions and inactions leading up to and since the murders of Robert McFarland and Lorena Schulte would say otherwise. On March 23, 2021, Corrections Officer, Robert […]

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GRL Law Secures Settlement for Special Education Student Who Was Sexually Assaulted on School Grounds, During School Hours

Paulina, O’Brien County, Iowa. The Court has approved the South O’Brien Community School District’s agreement to pay $625,000.00 to settle a lawsuit brought by the family of a special education student who was sexually assaulted by a fellow student in the building of South O’Brien High School, during school hours. The suit, filed by the Government Accountability Division of GRL Law back in August of 2022, alleged that the special education student was victimized by a fellow, higher functioning, special education student, at times, when they were the only two students being taught by a single teacher.  All three named […]

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$40,000 Settlement for Unwarranted Suspicion in Boone County

In a noteworthy demonstration of legal expertise and dedication to upholding citizens’ rights, GRL’s Government Accountability Division recently marked a significant victory in Boone County, Iowa. The division secured a $40,000 settlement for a Boone County man, unjustly ensnared in the legal system due to an unconstitutional traffic stop by a Boone County Sheriff’s Deputy. This case, emblematic of GRL’s commitment to challenging governmental overreach and defending constitutional rights, not only underscores the firm’s prowess in legal advocacy but also highlights the broader implications of law enforcement practices on individual liberties. The incident unfolded when a Boone County Deputy, operating […]

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Story County Prosecutor Sanctioned for Misconduct

Nevada, Story County, Iowa.  Don’t nip at The Wolf.  He bites back! An Assistant Story County Attorney attempted to prosecute a meritless operating while intoxicated case against GRL’s client.  As usual, GRL gave the prosecutor the opportunity to do the right thing but he could not “let the bear go.”  When the prosecutor finally saw the writing on the wall and agreed to dismiss the case, he had already dug himself a hole that placed himself firmly in hot water.  Amazingly, when called to task on his dirty deeds, the prosecutor could not drop the brush, and continued to paint […]

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Are Iowa’s Current Gun Laws Constitutional?

Iowa law set out in Iowa Code section 724.8B makes it a separate and distinct criminal offense to possess a firearm while committing an “indictable offense.”  An “indictable offense” in Iowa includes all offenses that are categorized as serious misdemeanors, aggravated misdemeanors or felonies.  They include offenses such as theft, driving while suspended, possession of marijuana, operating while intoxicated and other misdemeanors which are completely unconnected to violence or use of a firearm. Charges under section 724.8B are being filed by law enforcement regardless of whether the individual has a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon or is carrying […]

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Three Million Dollar Gross Negligence Verdict

Vinton, Benton County, Iowa. Cory F. Gourley was part of a legal team representing the family of a young man who was killed in a tragic mining accident.  The extraordinarily difficult part of such cases is that injured individuals, and even families of those who are killed in workplace accidents, generally have no recourse against their negligent employer, other than the limited recovery available through worker’s compensation claims. The primary exception however, is if a worker’s superior and/or co-worker acted in a grossly negligent manner.  Unfortunately for Iowans, the law surrounding such claims makes it extremely difficult to prevail on […]

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$154,900 Settlement for Wrongful Arrest

Ankeny, Polk County, Iowa.  GRL’s Government Accountability Division obtained a settlement of $154,900 for an Ankeny man who was wrongfully arrested by Ankeny Police Department earlier this year.  While the financial compensation was substantial for GRL’s client, it was not the most incredible part of this case. Apologies, especially sincere apologies, simply do not happen when a citizen accuses a government entity of misconduct or violating their constitutional rights.  Deflection, denial, victim-blame, and excuse-making tend to be the government’s go-to approaches to these types of cases. They never, ever admit that they were wrong.  However, in this case, in a […]

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Persons Seeking Medical Assistance for Drug-Related Overdose

Iowa law provides a legal defense for individuals who seek, obtain, or otherwise summon the assistance of law enforcement and emergency medical personnel in instances of suspected drug overdose.  With the plague of fentanyl overdoses being experienced through the state and nation, this is an appropriate measure to ensure that victims can secure desperately needed medical assistance at the earliest opportunity without fear of arrest or prosecution. Iowa Code section 124.418 was enacted in 2018.  This law categorizes any information or evidence collected or derived as a result of an overdose patient’s good-faith actions in seeking medical assistance, as “protected […]

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Revenge Porn

Catch your significant other cheating?  Think it would be a good idea to share pictures or videos of their infidelity with their friends and family?  Hold that send! The phrase “revenge porn” describes situations where an individual shares intimate pictures or videos of another person in order to get “revenge.”  It most commonly arises in bad breakups or instances where one partner catches the other partner cheating.  The jaded partner takes it upon themselves to share, post, disseminate or otherwise disclose pictures or videos of the other individual nude or engaged in sexual activity. Often, these disclosures take place to […]

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Absolute excellence

Hired Bobby to represent my son in an OWI case in Central Iowa. The case was a refusal to take initial breath test. During the initial consultation regarding the process, cost, and expectations Bobby provided and extremely clear and concise overview of everything. During the case, Bobby and his team looked into every detail, every piece of evidence, and tendencies of the county prosecutor. For myself, the most important thing was to have clear, consistent Communication between Bobby and my son, since he technically was the client throughout the process up to, and including going to trial, my son was […]

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