Hey, Senator Dawson and Representative Holt! It’s your boy, Murph. Didn’t I tell you in March that this wouldn’t turn out well? I’m talking about your unconstitutional efforts to restore the illegal practice of warrantless garbage searches in Iowa. You know, the police tactic that we struck down last year in State v. Wright? The […]
On December 3, 2021 the Iowa Supreme Court reinstated a drug possession conviction in State v. Jones. The ruling provides a good reminder to the drug defense bar regarding the differences between actual and constructive possession. The drugs in this case were located in a small drawstring bag on the ground near Jones’ front bumper. […]
“In a society where privacy is in a perpetual state of decay, Colin has gone above and beyond what most lawyers have dreamt of accomplishing. He has changed the state’s law in a way that benefits anyone that recognizes and appreciates the protections the 4th amendment gives us. His proven superior understanding and passion for […]
Maybe the timing is coincidental, but GRL Law secured a dismissal of all charges in State v. Wright on the same day the Iowa Supreme Court reaffirmed the constitutional underpinning of trash rips in State v. Kuuttila. One might think that this line of cases would be the last word on the issue. But if […]
Readers of the blog are no doubt aware of GRL Law’s work on warrantless garbage searches. Earlier this summer, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled the police practice unconstitutional in State v. Wright, but remanded the case to the district court for a second look at the warrant. This time the district court could not consider […]
The Iowa Supreme Court took an unfortunate significant step backwards as it relates to the rights of individuals arrested, but not yet formally charged with Operating While Intoxicated, in Iowa. In State v. Sewell, a case argued by GRL Law, Justice Mansfield, delivered the opinion of the court which held a person arrested for Operating […]
In 2000 the world was wowed by the ability of Nicholas Cage and his crew of bandits to swiftly and efficiently snatch high-end cars from their rightful owners in the movie Gone in 60 Seconds. The Iowa Supreme Court has now wowed the citizens of Iowa by swiftly and efficiently allowing officers to snatch the […]
At GRL Law, we are preparing to argue yet another case before the Iowa Supreme Court next month in State v. Sewell. The case involves law enforcement’s attempts to record phone conversations between arrested persons and their attorneys while at the jail. As we prepare to argue Sewell, we also eagerly await two pending decisions […]
Recently, GRL Law attorney Grant Gangestad argued the case of State v. Kilby before the Iowa Supreme Court. The case dealt with an Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) charge. The client’s charge stemmed from a fender bender in a parking lot. Officers were called to the scene and began an investigation into possible intoxication of the […]
A unanimous Iowa Supreme Court ruled on October 23, 2020 that homicide by reckless driving is not a lesser included offense of homicide by OWI. In State v. Johnson, the defendant argued he was entitled to a jury instruction that his reckless driving, not operating while intoxicated, was the cause of a crash that took […]
