Category: GRL Law

GRL Swag Shop

You have seen the GRL attorneys and staff rocking some great GRL swag.  Whether it be a GRL polo, NFG shirt or the recently released Respectfully Defiant line, they are now all available from GRL’s online store.  We aren’t in the clothing design business for the money.  Instead, all proceeds from swag sales this year will be donated to GRL’s 2023 charity, the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Iowa Chapter. At GRL, we see mental health’s impact on individuals, families and communities every single day. GRL currently has a number of cases pending where we are working to make […]

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Advocacy to the C.O.R.E.

The excellence you expect, the service you deserve.  GRL Law’s vision statement is: Building a legacy of trailblazing advocacy.  We seek to accomplish our vision through adherence to our mission statement: Relentlessly raising the bar.  At the CORE of GRL’s approach to the practice of law are timely and effective communication, superior organization, respect of clients, adversaries and our judicial system, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in all we do. Unfortunately, they do not teach the business side of the professional service industry of law, in law school.  What makes a business successful?  How is it certain business always […]

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Vehicular Homicide x 3 DISMISSED

Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa.  Three Vehicular Homicide charges were dismissed against GRL’s client less than a month before trial was set to commence.  GRL’s client was accused of Vehicular Homicide by Reckless Driving after a vehicle he was driving was struck by a train.  The three occupants of the vehicle were tragically killed in the accident, including GRL’s client’s sister.  Despite there being no evidence of impairment or excessive speed, Clarke County filed the charges against the defendant, who was 16-years-old at the time of the accident. GRL’s investigation quickly uncovered the fact that the Stop Ahead sign that Clarke […]

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Never Disclose Prescription Medications to Law Enforcement During a Traffic Stop

Winterset, Madison County, Iowa.  GRL has been warning anyone who will listen NOT to disclose prescription medications to law enforcement during a traffic stop.  This most recent GRL NFG demonstrates precisely why this is.  GRL’s client provided a breath sample of .037 but disclosed that he was taking his non-controlled substance medication.  The urine test that GRL’s client consented to confirmed the presence of only the prescription medication.  A young and aggressive officer, fresh off of training for driving while drugged investigations, even with the test results, still charged GRL’s client with Operating While Intoxicated and Child Endangerment.  Thankfully, GRL […]

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Appeal Your 2023 Property Tax Assessment

Iowa Property Tax Assessments are up by record amounts across the Des Moines Metro area and the entire state.  KCCI is reporting that assessed values are going up by approximately 22% in Polk County and surrounding counties.  These record increases are being justified by the delay in valuations caused by COVID as well as the previously hot housing market.  While it is great to have property increase in value, the corresponding tax bill can really put a dent in your budget. Property owners do not have to take this budget surprise sitting down.  There is an appeal process.  GRL Law’s […]

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2022 Year in Review

What. A. Year!  2022 was a whirlwind at GRL.  The year seemed like it was in non-stop fast-forward from the very beginning.  Cases backlogged by COVID were finally able to proceed.  Insurance companies that had been sitting on their reserves throughout COVID finally found themselves staring down the reality of a jury trial on civil cases and saw the writing on the wall.  When trials are available, things begin to move.  Move they certainly did. The Civil Division secured over 5 MILLION dollars in verdicts and settlements making a positive impact for GRL’s clients and the community.  Founding Partner Cory […]

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Toxicology Results Released in Fatal Johnston Motorcycle Accident

When a very experienced prosecutor from a county attorney’s office that aggressively prosecutes vehicular death cases dismisses a death-related charge outright, one should stop, contemplate, and ask, what more to this story has not been told?  For Makenna Streff, there is much more to the story than has been reported relating to the traffic accident that took the life of Landon Crabtree.  It is her turn to share her side of the story. Headlines have read: “Woman who caused deadly motorcycle crash to stay out of prison.”  “Iowa mother furious over charges in deadly crash.” They plaster Makenna’s name and […]

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Can I be FORCED to provide a breath sample to law enforcement if I am suspected of OWI?

Can I be FORCED to provide a breath sample to law enforcement if I am suspected of OWI? As criminal defense attorneys specializing in OWI defense, we often get questions about what to do if arrested for an OWI.  Many of the questions surround what to do if asked for a sample from your body: If I am suspected of OWI, can the cops require me to give them a breath test? What about a urine or blood test? Can’t I just refuse? I thought I could refuse a test and they just take my license for longer, right? Can […]

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Involuntary Manslaughter and Operating While Intoxicated Charges DISMISSED

Johnston, Polk County, Iowa.  What started as an arrest for Operating While Intoxicated progressed to felony offense of Involuntary Manslaughter, but was ultimately resolved with a traffic citation for Failure to Yield Upon a Left-Hand Turn.  GRL’s client experienced a roller-coaster ride of emotion following a tragic car accident.  Client was initially suspected of being intoxicated but subsequent blood tests established an alcohol concentration well within the legal range.  Because the operator of the other vehicle involved in the accident died, while unable to prove operating while intoxicated, the prosecution amended to charge to Involuntary Manslaughter.  This charge requires the […]

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Consent Searches to Verify Medical Cannabidiol Registration Status

The Iowa Department of Public Health began issuing digital medical cannabidiol registration cards for qualified patients and caregivers.  They come complete with a QR code that may be scanned by law enforcement to verify the person’s status.  The Department advises that “law enforcement representatives may request to temporarily handle your mobile device to verify your registration card.” The drug crime lawyers at GRL recommend that you consent to a request by a peace officer to briefly handle your phone to scan the QR code verifying your status as a person who can possess medical cannabidiol.  That will likely end the […]

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