Tag: phone call

A Blatant Violation – The Right to a Personal Consultation with a Family Member

We cannot make this stuff up.  Some things you just have to see to believe.  This case was the most blatant violation of an arrested person’s right to consult and see a family member we have seen in a very long time. Iowa law provides that a person who has been arrested has the right to call, consult AND see an attorney, family member, OR BOTH upon their arrival at the place of detention, i.e., the jail.  Law enforcement is nor required to tell the person of this right but if a request is made, law enforcement actually commits a […]

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Iowa Supreme Court Severely Limits Rights of People Under Arrest for OWI

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 While Intoxicated, who has been asked to submit to a breath test, but has not yet been formally charged with the offense, does NOT have the right to a privileged phone call with an attorney. Justice Appel issued a stern dissent, arguing that the request […]

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