Results - GRL Law

Drug Felonies Dismissed Following Unconstitutional Garbage RIp

December 27, 2021

Earlier this year GRL convinced the Iowa Supreme Court to outlaw the police tactic of warrantless garbage searches in State v. Wright. We haven't rested on our laurels since the ruling. Instead, we got to work in several counties where these trash rips resulted in felony charges. A recent case in southeastern Iowa was no exception. The facts were essentially identical to Wright. Police illegally trespassed onto our client’s garbage containers set out for collection to scavenge trash. A search of this trash led to a search warrant to search our client’s home resulting in two drug felony charges. However, if you...

Boating Privileges Saved

December 15, 2021

Appanoose County, Iowa- A GRL Law client was charged with Boating While Intoxicated (BWI), Second Offense. A conviction for BWI 2nd offense results in a minimum fine of $1,000, seven days in county jail, completing a substance abuse evaluation and completing all recommended treatment, and a loss of the person's boating privileges for two years. Mr. Gangestad and the county attorney were able to successfully negotiate a non-BWI resolution, with the client paying a $200 fine. Jail time was avoided and the client's boating privileges were spared.

December 3, 2021

Wright County, Iowa- A GRL Law client was stopped for alleged erratic driving. Officers requested that she complete field sobriety tests, and the client submitted to that request. The client then submitted to a PBT and was taken to the station for further testing. The client supplied a breath test which was over the legal limit. Mr. Gangestad filed a motion to suppress the breath test result because the preliminary breath test (PBT) calibration logs did not comply with the Iowa Code and therefore invalidated the PBT result. The breath test result was excluded from trial and all charges...