When law enforcements applies for a search warrant based on the odor of marijuana, they must describe to the magistrate how they know recognize the odor. Things like training, experience, etc., in drug interdiction are critically important to establish probable cause to issue the warrant. What happens when the application is silent on training and […]
Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Five Counts of Fraudulent Sales Practice allegations were dismissed against a Des Moines Bail bond agent after when the court found that the State’s evidence did not establish any intent to defraud associated with the allegations. GRL’s client was accused of utilizing a person who did not have a bail […]
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 […]
There is something incredibly satisfying about beating a speeding ticket at trial. Especially when the driver is facing a 310-day license suspension for 46 mph over the legal limit and you’ve tried everything possible to negotiate a resolution to avoid the suspension. That’s what we faced when called to a bench trial recently in west […]
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 […]
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 […]
The drug crime attorneys at GRL were in the news again recently after a successful appeal ruling. We persuaded the district court that a Benton County magistrate judge made a mistake in finding a container with marijuana residue constituted drug paraphernalia as that term is defined in Iowa Code section 124.414. We proved that substantial […]
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 […]
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 […]
HAMILTON COUNTY – Client was charged with Sex Abuse in the Second Degree based on an allegation claimed to have occurred 17 years prior. After being initially charged, the Assistant County Attorney who was handling the case filed a Motion to Dismiss the case. Before the motion could be granted by the Court, the head […]
