Tag: Scott Michels

2022 Year in Review

What. A. Year!  2022 was a whirlwind at GRL.  The year seemed like it was in non-stop fast-forward from the very beginning.  Cases backlogged by COVID were finally able to proceed.  Insurance companies that had been sitting on their reserves throughout COVID finally found themselves staring down the reality of a jury trial on civil cases and saw the writing on the wall.  When trials are available, things begin to move.  Move they certainly did. The Civil Division secured over 5 MILLION dollars in verdicts and settlements making a positive impact for GRL’s clients and the community.  Founding Partner Cory […]

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Jury exonerates man of sexual abuse allegation from 20 years ago

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 County Attorney, who was personally affiliated with the complaining witnesses father, withdrew the Motion to Dismiss.  Months later the case was turned over to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office to continue with the prosecution.  Three years after the charge was brought against him, the case […]

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Wouldn’t think twice about recommended him to someone else in my situation

Scott Michels was the lawyer that I hired for my case. I appreciated the updates throughout the case, always letting me now what the situation was and how he recommends how it should proceed. Pretty impressed by the way everything was handled with him looking over the videos presented and figuring out the best wag to go forward. Very knowledgeable with cases like mine and wouldn’t think twice about recommended him to someone else in my situation. Even though the case didn’t go exactly my way I am pleased with the amount of effort put in to it.

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Female removed from sex offender registry

I have handled a lot of sex offender registry modifications, but this was the first time that I have represented a female seeking removal from the registry.  The client was subject to a lifetime sex offender registry requirement and lifetime supervision on a special sentence.  The Client met all the prerequisites for modification and the Fifth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services stipulated to her removal from the registry.  The State argued that she should not be removed because, among other arguments, that only one risk assessment tool was used and that tool did not account for manipulation of the […]

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Juvenile Sex Offenders Removed From Sex Offender Registry For Ex Post Facto Violations

This past year three GRL clients who were adjudicated of sex offenses in juvenile court have been granted reprieve from the sex offender registry based upon a novel argument – that the imposition of a lifetime registration violates the prohibition against ex post facto laws.  You may be wondering what does ex post facto mean?  Both the United States Constitution and the Iowa Constitution prohibit enforcement of a penalty that was not in effect at the time the crime was committed. To fully understand the argument that was made for these clients, a bit of a history lesson is required.  […]

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Kudos to officer for admitting his error

A Mitchell County client was arrested and charged with OWI.  Upon review of the jail video it was discovered that Client requested to call his attorney when asked to either consent or refuse to the Datamaster.  In response the officer told Client that he had to make a decision first, then he could call his attorney, because the Datamaster was for administrative purposes and a lawyer only applied to the criminal case.  This violated Client’s phone call rights.  To the credit of the officer, he contacted the county attorney, advised him that he made a mistake and that the case […]

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Did A Glich In The DOT Computer Cause You A Longer License Suspension

A few weeks back a client called and advised that he received a ticket for “Approaching Certain Stationary Vehicles,” in violation of Iowa Code section 321.323A.  He paid the citation and now was looking at a DOT notice stating he would be losing his driver’s license for 180 days.  The notice stated he was not entitled to an appeal. Iowa Code section 321.323A requires that when you approach a stationary emergency vehicle that is displaying flashing lights, you must approach with caution and either 1) make a lane change if possible; 2) if a lane change is impossible, prohibited by […]

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GRL Criminal Law Division 200+ Five Star Reviews on Avvo.com

GRL Law maintains a well earned reputation from both the bench and bar across the state for its approach to defending those charged with serious crimes.  It should come as no surprise that our clients share the same opinion. The firm’s criminal law division is comprised of five experienced trial and appellate lawyers.   Collectively, they have more than 200 five-star reviews on Avvo.com. Two hundred.  Actual and organic testimonials that describe the client experience with GRL Law. When facing serious criminal charges, the most important decision you will make is the lawyer who will protect your rights.  If you or […]

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