Tag: Traffic Stop

20 Year-Old OWI Charge Amended to Reckless Driving WIN

On September 3, 2020 the Cerro Gordo District Court amended a 20 year-old charge of OWI to reckless driving after GRL Law was retained to do what we do best: uncover and leverage every possible defense to our client’s benefit.  In this case, the initial call to dispatch came from a reserve officer who reportedly observed some careless driving.  The vehicle was being operated, however, in a private parking lot (careless driving under section 321.277A can only be committed on a public road).  Also, there was no allegation linking the driving behavior to drinking alcohol.  Furthermore, the arresting officer pulled […]

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Stop of Out-of-State Driver’s Vehicle Invalid, Seized Firearm Returned to Client

Dallas County, Iowa- Grant Gangestad’s client was stopped on the side of the road to take a phone call and assess a check engine light.  The officer ran the driver’s information, which returned no warrants or red flags.  The officer returned to the vehicle, claiming that the driver appeared “nervous.”  He asked if there was anything in the vehicle and the client stated that he had a firearm in a backpack the vehicle which he keeps for protection.  He did not have a valid permit to carry in Iowa. The officer then confiscated the firearm and charged the client with […]

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Filing of Motion to Suppress Evidence Results in No Charges for GRL Law Client

Buena Vista County, Iowa- A GRL Law client was a passenger in a vehicle travelling in Storm Lake, Iowa.  The vehicle was pulled over for allegedly not having proper registration.  The vehicle did, in fact, have a temporary registration or “paper license plate” affixed to the back window of the vehicle.  Regardless, the officer conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle. The officer, upon approaching the vehicle, claimed to smell the odor of marijuana.  He ended up searching the vehicle, finding a small quantity of marijuana.   GRL Law attorney Grant Gangestad filed a motion to suppress evidence, arguing that the […]

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Client’s Driver’s License Saved After Successful Re-Opening of Closed Case

Franklin County, Iowa- A GRL Client was pulled over for going 106 in a 70 mile per hour zone.  She had a Minnesota driver’s license and paid the ticket without realizing that it would cause an automatic license revocation of her privileges in both Iowa and Minnesota.  Grant Gangestad was successful in getting the matter re-opened, amended to a different charge, and saving the client’s license.  No revocation or SR-22 insurance requirement was imposed.

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