Results - GRL Law

Involuntary Manslaughter and Operating While Intoxicated Charges DISMISSED

December 7, 2022

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 intoxicated but subsequent blood tests established an alcohol concentration well within the legal range. Because the operator of the other vehicle involved in the accident died, while unable to prove operating while intoxicated, the prosecution amended to charge to Involuntary Manslaughter. This charge requires...

December 5, 2022

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 evidence did not support the interpretation of the paraphernalia statute as it applied to this container. Had the county instead charged it under the local municipal ordinance, which is much broader than the statute, then things might have turned out differently. It pays to know the difference...