Tag: driver’s license

Suppression of Urine Test Result Leads to OWI Dismissal WIN

Northwood, Worth County, Iowa.  The district court in Worth County granted the State’s motion to dismiss the charge of OWI, but not before suppressing the results of a urine test. A thorough review of traffic stop and implied consent videos revealed several issues that were briefed by the drugged driving attorneys at GRL Law, including whether: The deputy lacked reasonable suspicion to detain the driver; The deputy unreasonably prolonged the traffic stop to await a drug dog; The drug dog trespassed onto the vehicle turning the “free air sniff” into an unreasonable search; The handler cued the drug dog to […]

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Holding on Iowa! Iowa holds on out-of-state driver’s licenses

“The State of Iowa has a hold on your driver’s license” the clerk at your local DOT/DMV tells you.  “For what?”, you ask?  “Operating While Intoxicated, test failure (or refusal)” the clerk explains.   “That was over twenty years ago” you say with mounting frustration.  The clerk explains: “Sorry, we can’t renew your driver’s license until this hold is removed by Iowa.”  What do you do?! Prior operating while intoxicated offenses in Iowa can come back to haunt non-resident driver for years, even decades after the case is resolved.  In Iowa, the criminal prosecution and license suspension proceedings are completely separate.  […]

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Challenging an OWI Charge

When involved in a complicated accident hauling a piece of farm equipment on 6/23/20, I was charged at the scene with a combination of reckless driving, and an OWI. I did not feel the OWI was in order and ended up, With the advise of my Son to seek help from the GRL firm in Des Moines Ia. Having no idea of what type of person or persons we were about to deal with, The experience was great from start to finish. My wife and I were treated as family by Bob and his wonderful assistant McKayla, always with extreme […]

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Officer’s Error Saves Client’s License

A Story County Client was arrested and taken to the station for chemical testing.  She agreed to provide a urine sample.  After she provided the urine sample, the officer provided the written request for her consent.  Law enforcement is required to make a written request for a body specimen prior to the person consenting or refusing the test.  The State agreed to throw the test results out and amend the charge from OWI to public intoxication and reckless driving.  Client retained their driver’s license.

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DOT Suspension Reversed for School Bus Passing WIN!

You never intended to pass that school bus, the one with the flashing amber lights and extended stop arm.  But it happened.  In fact, it happens to the very best drivers across the state every day. The police officer hands you a citation with a court date and says something about probably paying a small fine.  You make your court date and the judge mentions the fine again.  You plead guilty and pay the clerk of court on your way out.  Walking back to your car, you say to yourself, “That wasn’t so bad.” Then, a week or so later, […]

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Client’s Driver’s License Saved After Successful Re-Opening of Closed Case

Franklin County, Iowa- A GRL Client was pulled over for going 106 in a 70 mile per hour zone.  She had a Minnesota driver’s license and paid the ticket without realizing that it would cause an automatic license revocation of her privileges in both Iowa and Minnesota.  Grant Gangestad was successful in getting the matter re-opened, amended to a different charge, and saving the client’s license.  No revocation or SR-22 insurance requirement was imposed.

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Successful Motion to Suppress Evidence Results in Deferred Judgment

Polk County, Iowa- A motion to suppress evidence was filed on behalf of a client due to the fact that the officer had violated the client’s rights under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.  The prosecutor agreed and agreed to throw out the client’s breath test.  Client received a deferred judgment, avoided a lengthy revocation, and avoided jail time.

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