Tag: trial lawyers

Exceptional Outcome in Marijuana Edible and Flower Felony WIN

Garner, Hancock County, Iowa.  After successfully vacating two convictions through post-conviction relief efforts [more on that here], the drug defense attorneys at GRL Law accomplished what former trial counsel was simply unable to do years ago: develop reasonable doubt that our client committed any felony offense involving marijuana or marijuana edibles. Our aggressive pre-trial discovery efforts raised serious questions regarding whether the alleged victim was duped into consuming chocolate containing THC.   On the contrary, it appeared instead that she pilfered clearly-labeled marijuana edibles from our client’s personal belongings without permission.  Only after she knowingly ate her way into a hazy […]

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CDL Traffic Ticket Defense – Yes, We Do That, Too!

The trial attorneys at GRL Law have a well-earned reputation for zealously and aggressively representing those accused of serious criminal offenses in Iowa. While we are perhaps best known for our statewide defense of drinking drivers including felony vehicular homicide, the firm is also recognized for its work in other complex areas of the law such as sex offenses and drug charges. One area that typically doesn’t make the news, but is nevertheless a highly specialized niche for the firm, is the defense of CDL traffic tickets. We defend all CDL-related citations.  Statewide.  Everything from excessive speed and lane changes […]

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Record CBD Seizure in Adair County Ends with Court-Ordered Return to Client

Greenfield, Adair County, Iowa.  The drug defense attorneys at GRL Law prevailed again today by successfully securing a court order for the return of over-the-counter cannabidiol (CBD) products seized by local law enforcement.  The estimated retail value of these CBD products exceeded $3,000, which is believed to be the largest seizure of its kind in Adair County. The original basis for the seizure was the erroneous belief that our client was operating an unlicensed “medical cannabidiol” dispensary under Iowa Code Chapter 124E.  Medical cannabidiol in Iowa contains both concentrated CBD and THC extracted from marijuana and is heavily regulated by […]

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Felony Conviction Vacated Following Ineffective Assistance of Counsel WIN

Garner,  Hancock County, Iowa.  The drug defense attorneys at GRL Law successfully raised and litigated a claim of actual innocence resulting in the district court setting aside a felony conviction from 2017. Prior counsel advised our client to plead guilty to a felony charge of administering marijuana edibles to another in violation of Iowa Code section 708.5 despite the fact that she consistently maintained her innocence throughout the investigative, plea change and sentencing phases of the case. The firm raised numerous grounds on which the district court could have certainly found her trial counsel ineffective.  We were able to clearly […]

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Problems with the Identification of CBD by Thin Layer Chromatography

Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a well-known qualitative laboratory technique to separate, detect and identify plant material extracts that have been processed so they longer possess botanical characteristics that can be observed through macro and microscopic analysis.  This includes cannabis products like gummies, truffles, bars and other edibles, but also substances like tar, ground plant material and oils. In the FAQ section of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Criminalistic Laboratory – Drug Identification website (https://dps.iowa.gov/divisions/criminal-investigation/criminalistics-laboratory/drug-identification), testing for controlled substances includes: The net weight (weight of substance without packaging) of the substance is recorded prior to any sampling and then […]

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Theft Charge Dismissed on Eve of Trial WIN

Fort Dodge, Webster County, Iowa.  The Webster County Attorney’s Office dismissed a single count of theft at the state’s expense against our client on the eve of jury selection.  The criminal trial attorneys at GRL showed once again how thoroughly developing a theory of defense through the aggressive pursuit of pretrial discovery, including interviewing and subpoenaing witnesses not listed by the state, often makes a significant impact on the state’s decision to move forward.  In this case, we raised enough reasonable doubt as to the issues of ownership and intent such that a NFG verdict seemed the only likely outcome.  […]

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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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Defending the Sentencing Enhancement for Firearms in Felony Marijuana Possession Cases

All too often, inexperienced attorneys defending felony marijuana cases fail to fully appreciate the incredibly significant impact that evidence of a firearm can have on sentencing. How significant, you ask? Under Iowa Code section 124.401(1)(e), a person in the immediate possession or control of a firearm while possessing marijuana for delivery shall be sentenced to twice the term provided.  As a result, the nickel for a few ounces of bud may be enhanced to a dime simply because of a gun.  In other words, the Glock 19 seized by the task force now earns the unsuspecting person 10 years behind […]

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A Trial Lawyer’s Reading List

Law school is full of reading.  Read, take notes, remember, regurgitate … dump.  That is the process for the three years of law school.  Law related texts are not what anyone would characterize as engaging or enjoyable reads.  To be blunt, law school reading sucks. After a full three years of reading in law school, a prospective lawyer earns the privilege of spending a full summer reading ad-nausea, preparing to take the crucible of the legal field – the dreaded bar exam.  Passing the bar exam does nothing more than earn you a lifetime of reading.  The practice of law, […]

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Felony Theft Charges Amended to Misdemeanor Operating Without Consent and Time Served WIN

On March 11, 2020 the Marshall County District Court granted the state’s motion to amend a two-count felony trial information and allowed our client to plead to a single misdemeanor charge of Operating without Owner’s Consent. The State initially charged our client with class C and D felony theft, allegations which, if not aggressively defended, could have resulted in 15 years or more in prison and thousands in fines. However, the firm’s vigorous approach to pretrial discovery depositions raised considerable doubt over whether the state could prove that our client knowingly exercised control over stolen property, a 1977 Corvette, and […]

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