On November 28, 2022, the district court in Pocahontas County granted our application to dismiss a possession charge based on a violation of the one-year speedy trial provisions in Iowa Rule of Criminal Procedure 2.33. We were able to demonstrate that the state did not bring our client to trial within one year of his […]
On September 21, 2022 the Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed felony convictions for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and drug tax stamps in State v. Hansel. The ruling provides a great reminder to drug crime attorneys on the proper way to object to evidence, especially “prior bad acts” testimony. In this case, the arresting […]
Felony drug offenses committed within “drug free zones” risk more time in prison. A “drug free zone” can be in, on or within 1000 feet of certain property. This property includes schools, parks, swimming pools and rec centers as well as the contiguous land surrounding any buildings. Offenses committed on a marked school bus also […]
The drug defense attorneys at GRL Law are often asked about the possibility of asserting an entrapment defense in drug cases. It’s usually in the context of a controlled buy from an informant who is trying to work off a collar. The regular entrapment defense requires evidence of excessive incitement, urging, persuasion or temptation. Merely providing […]
On June 16, 2021 the Iowa Court of Appeals issued a reminder to the drug defense bar in State v. Britcher. Police deployed a drug K9 around Britcher’s vehicle following a traffic stop for license plate lamp and registration plate violations. A probable cause search ensued that revealed methamphetamine. Britcher argued on appeal that police […]
The drug defense attorneys at GRL Law are known for aggressively challenging searches by police, particularly those arising from vehicle inventories. Those searches occur after police impound a car following a traffic stop. Before towing, police will inventory the contents to protect primarily against claims of lost or stolen property. Police often locate drugs and […]
The drug defense attorneys at GRL have blogged before on the pitfalls of being stopped by police with marijuana in your personal vehicle. Fortunately, Iowa no longer suspends your driving privileges for drug convictions. Does this mean you can keep personal use quantities in the sleeper area of a semi truck? In a word, no. […]
The drug defense attorneys at GRL Law have seen their fair share of possession cases arising from police frisks. It usually goes down like this. Following a traffic stop for a minor traffic violation, the officer orders the driver to come back to the patrol car to process a citation. Pro tip: You are seized […]
