Top Iowa Criminal Lawyers

Work With an Outstanding Iowa Criminal Attorney Today

If you or a family member have recently been accused or charged with a criminal offense in your state, such as theft or DUI, you probably are concerned about what will happen in the near future. You likely are wondering who will be willing to listen to your side of the events, and you want to know what your rights are and how your job and family may be affected. Most importantly you want to know who you can turn to for help.

At the first opportunity, you should consult an experienced attorney. This will help you avoid making mistakes and can also help to ease the consequences that often come with criminal charges. Now is time for a free consultation with a Iowacriminal lawyer who has a proven track record in criminal cases just like the one you or a loved one may be facing. You have the right to remain silent and protect your interests, but the sooner you meet with a criminal attorney the better off you will be. Remember, just because a person is charged with a state offense does not mean that they will be found guilty. Hiring a good criminal lawyer can help protect you and your family and will provide you with information on the rights and options that you may have. Many attorneys will even offer free advice during the initial meeting so that you can decide the next steps you wish to take.

Are You Looking for an Experience Criminal Lawyer?

We have an experienced and professional team of criminal attorneys that are well-versed in many areas of crime from domestic violence to fraud to DUI. We have capable lawyers who specialize in areas of criminal defense like theft, aggravated assault, manslaughter, sexual offenses, weapons charges and much more.

The sooner you act the better. It doesn't matter if you are actually facing charges or you simply fear that there will be repercussions for an act in your past, the longer it takes to get legal counsel, the fewer options you will have. Our Iowa criminal attorneys have the expertise to fully understand how state law works and they will be able to offer valuable advice to you during your first meeting.

Build Up a Strong Defense for a DUI Charge

One of the most common charges at the state level is a DUI. Though consequences of this action can vary, many times they will include a night in jail, alcohol education classes, heavy fines and even a suspended driver's license. A smart move is to find a Iowa criminal attorney who has the expertise and knowledge in DUI cases like the one you may be facing. Our experienced lawyers can help to find out if you qualify as a first time offender, to explain the fines and other penalties that you could face, and how you can plan, together, the defense strategy. They will also help you to understand how this type of charge may affect other parts of your life like your auto insurance and even your job.

Good Lawyers are Focused on Specific Areas of Law

Our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys concentrates on certain areas of the law. This helps them to gain thorough knowledge of their legal specialty and also helps them build up strong track records in specific types of cases. They will also have comprehensive information about particular state laws and know how they relate to your personal case. Our lawyers will use this background to formulate a solid defense strategy for your individual case. We help to match you with the perfect lawyer for your unique situation.

What to Expect From Your Criminal Lawyer

When you first meet with your criminal lawyer for a consultation you will need to discuss the facts of your case. Your attorney will be able to share their own expertise of the law and how it will relate to the charges being brought against you. You should always be as candid as you can be with your lawyer and be willing to ask them questions. Your attorney will make sure to keep your information confidential and will strive to represent your best interests. It is important for you to follow any advice that is given to you by your attorney and to understand that patience may be needed.

A Strong Reputation Will Count

Our lawyers belong to a variety of professional groups like the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. You will be able to track the success rate of our attorneys throughout their careers which can give you peace of mind. Our attorneys have been thoroughly screened in order to ensure they are providing top notch legal counsel.

You Can Trust Our Attorneys

The perfect criminal lawyer for you will be the one who is going to advocate for your best interests. They will be able to earn your trust, adhere to the highest ethical standards and provide you with that extra boost of confidence that is always needed in these situations.

Our lawyers will know the common methods of defense for you and will handle your case with the urgency and care that you need. Avoid mistakes early on in the criminal process by choosing an attorney quickly. It is important to have the trustworthy legal support that comes from professional counsel. Call one of our qualified attorneys today!

Are You Looking for Top Iowa Criminal Lawyers?

Criminal Lawyer was formed based on the principle that every individual in the United States is entitled to a substantial and dedicated defense when faced with criminal charges. We believe your defense should be provided by a qualified lawyer in Iowa who is thoroughly knowledgeable of the criminal laws in your state and your specific charges. We know the Iowa lawyers in our directory can provide you or your loved one with a strong and effective defense.

Regardless of the crime or any of its accompanying circumstances, it is important to develop a strong defense against criminal charges. Iowa recognizes two broad categories of crimes. Every crime for which you need a criminal defense attorney is classified as either a felony or a misdemeanor. This basic designation indicates only the severity of the crime, not the type. A number of more specific designations further classify the specific charges within these broad categories.

Misdemeanors are divided into three separate categories. The least severe misdemeanor is called a simple misdemeanor. The middle designation is referred to as a serious misdemeanor, and aggravated misdemeanors are the most severe. Meanwhile, felonies are divided into classes.

When it comes to more serious crimes, Iowa law recognizes four classes of felonies. The least serious felonies are considered Class D offenses, and the most serious criminal offenses in the state are Class A felonies. Each classification, whether misdemeanor or felony, has specifically designated minimum and maximum punishments in terms of incarceration and fines. Developing the best possible defense strategy requires a clear understanding of the severity of each crime and where it falls within the scale of misdemeanors and felonies.

Start your search for top-rated Iowa criminal lawyers here.

Five Common Crimes Charged in Iowa

It is easy to locate the list of crimes addressed by Iowa law because every crime and its range of punishments is spelled out in the Iowa Code. However, even though these provisions are quite comprehensive, they are not always straightforward or easy for the layperson to interpret.

Speaking with experienced Iowa criminal lawyers is your best approach to understanding the varied elements that constitute each and every crime in Iowa – and to ensure the strongest, most comprehensive defense against your charges.

Theft

In Iowa, charges of theft encompass more than shoplifting or taking small pieces of personal property. The criminal code contains numerous theft laws, each of which addresses a different type of theft. The most common form is taking another person’s property with the intent to deprive the owner of such property; however, several other actions also qualify as theft. These include:

Misappropriating or disposing of property that belongs to someone else

Allowing someone to perform services in anticipation of receiving payment and then refusing to pay

Retaining possession of property that is known to be stolen or is reasonably identifiable as stolen property

Defrauding someone of their property

Passing a bad check

Using certain utilities, such as electricity, with no intention to pay for them

In Iowa, theft can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Typically, the classification is determined by the value of property that was unlawfully taken or retained. Based on the value of the stolen property and from least serious to most serious charges, the five degrees of theft charges are:

Fifth Degree Theft: property value less than $200, a simple misdemeanor with a sentence of up to 30 days in jail

Fourth Degree Theft: property value between $200 and $500, a serious misdemeanor with a sentence of up to one year in jail

Third Degree Theft: property value between $501 and $1,000, an aggravated misdemeanor, with a sentence of up to two years in state prison

Second Degree Theft: property value between $1,001 and $10,000, a Class D felony, with a sentence of up to five years in state prison

First Degree Theft: property value over $10,001, a Class C felony, with a sentence of up to 10 years in state prison

In addition to the value of the stolen property, certain other factors may influence specific theft charges, such as whether a weapon was either actually used or merely threatened in order to unlawfully obtain the property, or if the property was obtained through fraud. A prosecutor in Iowa will then have a degree of flexibility in determining your exact charges.

Find the best theft lawyers in Iowa here.

Misdemeanor Assault

Iowa recognizes a number of separate and distinct assault-related crimes. Most states differentiate between assault – an intent to commit injury – and battery, which is the actual act of inflicting bodily injury or harm. The statutes are different in Iowa, where assault encompasses both of these situations. Here, the differentiation between misdemeanor assault and felony assault depends on the severity of injury intended by the defendant and the actual injury sustained by the victim.

Iowa law differentiates between bodily injury and serious injury. Bodily injuries are less harsh, and involve such things as a scrape or bruise, while a serious bodily injury creates a risk of death. A serious injury includes such things as fractures to a rib or skull, permanent disfigurement, and similarly severe injuries.

Misdemeanor assault is charged for any act intended to inflict bodily injury or harm or one which results in any offensive contact with the victim. Misdemeanor assault can also include displaying a dangerous weapon or pointing a weapon at the victim. Misdemeanor assault does not require any injury or offensive contact to have actually occurred – or that there be any actual physical conduct. It is a crime to simply convey an intent to do so.

Misdemeanor assault charges fall into three categories. The more severe crimes, namely serious misdemeanor assault and aggravated misdemeanor assault are defined in specific statutes. Assault is a serious misdemeanor in Iowa if the actions cause bodily injury or mental illness if the assault was directed against a protected employee or was a hate crime. A defendant convicted of serious misdemeanor assault faces up to one year in jail.

Assault is an aggravated misdemeanor if the individual intended to cause the victim serious injury if the assault was directed against a protected employee or was part of a hate crime, and the act actually did cause bodily injury. Displaying or pointing a deadly weapon will also result in a charge of aggravated misdemeanor assault. A defendant faces up to two years in state prison if convicted of aggravated misdemeanor assault.

Any misdemeanor assault that does not fall under one of the more serious classifications will be considered a simple misdemeanor for which the maximum punishment is 30 days in county jail.

Burglary

When you read the Iowa criminal code, the statute covering burglary can seem very complicated because these crimes are comprised of several elements, and it can be difficult to determine exactly what actions are considered criminal. In general, burglary is defined as unlawfully entering a building that belongs to another person with the intent to commit a felony, theft, or assault inside. In Iowa, the law explicitly states that the building must be an occupied structure, whether it is a residential or commercial property. An individual also commits a burglary if he or she unlawfully stays in an occupied structure after it is closed to the public or the right to remain there has expired, and the individual remains in that structure with the intent to commit a felony, theft, or assault.

Iowa law describes three degrees of burglary. First-degree burglary, the most serious, is a Class B felony. The maximum penalty for a First-degree burglary is 25 years in state prison. The prosecutor can charge someone with first-degree burglary if:

Other people were inside the structure and the individual was in possession of an explosive device or deadly weapon during the burglary

The individual intentionally or recklessly inflicted injury on another person

The individual sexually abused someone during the burglary

Second-degree burglary is also a felony, but it is a Class C felony which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in state prison. Second-degree burglary is defined as burglary committed:

While in possession of an explosive device or dangerous weapon, while no one else was present in the structure

While at least one other person was within the occupied structure, but the burglar did not have an explosive or dangerous weapon

Third-degree burglary is the least serious burglary charge in Iowa, but the ramifications that follow conviction on a third-degree burglary charge are still severe. It is a Class D felony, with a maximum sentence of five years in state prison. Any actions that fit the broad definition of burglary provided in the Iowa criminal code, but which do not fall under first or second-degree burglary, are charged as third-degree burglaries. This charge acts as the residual charge when there is no evidence to support a more serious crime.

Find the best burglary lawyers in Iowa.

Sexual Abuse

In Iowa, crimes commonly referred to as rape or sexual assault fall under a single section of the criminal code which is termed sexual abuse. While Iowa law does include specific statutes that address crimes such as statutory rape and pedophilia, the crime of sexual abuse encompasses most criminal activity related to sex crimes.

The Iowa Code outlines three specific circumstances that qualify as sexual abuse. The first is a sex act committed by force, with a threat of force, or against the will of the victim. The second set of prohibited actions include any sex act that occurs when the victim has a mental disability that renders him or her unable to provide consent or unable to understand the difference between right and wrong conduct in sexual matters. Lastly, it is sexual abuse if the victim is a child.

Among the three degrees of sexual abuse contemplated in Iowa law, sexual abuse in the first degree is the most serious. If the individual causes serious injury to another person in conjunction with sexual abuse, the appropriate charge is sexual abuse in the first degree. This Class A felony can be punished by a sentence of life in prison.

Sexual abuse in the second degree is a Class B felony, and it carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in state prison. A prosecutor can charge sexual abuse in the second degree if:

The victim was under the age of 12

A dangerous weapon is displayed in a threatening manner, or the perpetrator uses or threatens to use force that could result in death or serious injury to the victim during the sexual abuse

The sex act is aided or abetted by another individual and the sex act is committed against the victim’s will

Sexual abuse in the third degree is a Class C felony and still a very serious crime which can be punished by a maximum of 10 years in state prison. A number of circumstances equate to sexual abuse in the third degree, including:

Sexual abuse of a victim who is 12 or 13 years old

Sexual abuse of a victim aged 14 or 15 who is a member of the same household, but is not the spouse of the perpetrator

Sexual abuse performed while the victim was under the influence of a controlled substance

Find the best Iowa sexual abuse lawyers here.

Operating While Intoxicated

Most states have a statutory prohibition against driving under the influence of alcohol, frequently referred to as DUI. Iowa has a DUI law similar to those of other states, but it is called operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). An individual is charged with OWI if he or she is found to be operating a motor vehicle while their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. Because an individual is considered to be operating a vehicle at any time the motor is running, that individual can be charged with OWI in Iowa without ever leaving a parking space or actually driving the car.

The OWI law in Iowa also prohibits operating a vehicle when the driver is under the influence of a controlled substance such as cocaine or another narcotic. Any amount of such a controlled substance in the body of a driver is considered sufficient grounds to support OWI charges.

Iowa scales specific charges and punishments for those charged with OWI based on whether the record of the accused individual contains any previous offenses or OWI convictions. A first-time offender is required to serve a minimum of two days in jail, and the punishment for that first conviction can be a maximum of one year. For a second offense, the minimum punishment rises to seven days in jail, and a third offense carries a minimum sentence of 30 days in jail. Similarly, the amount of the potential fines assessed against convicted drivers increases with a second, third, or fourth offense. Both the length of your jail time and the amount of your fines are likely to be based on your BAC, whether you were involved in an accident while intoxicated, and whether any bodily injury was caused by your intoxicated operation of a motor vehicle.

Find a top Iowa DUI attorney.

Other Crimes

The Iowa lawyers who comprise Criminal Lawyer are prepared to defend a variety of crimes in Iowa, and our experience is not limited to the most common crimes in the state. Rather, it extends to the defense of federal charges and appellate level defense. Whether you are seeking a lawyer in Iowa for defense against such serious charges as murder or a less severe misdemeanor, such as possession of a narcotic, we can help.

Importance of an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer

No one should attempt to navigate the criminal process in Iowa alone. Whether you need advice on proper procedures or guidance and support in building a comprehensive defense strategy, a criminal justice attorney at Criminal Lawyer is prepared to step in and provide a strong defense from any criminal charge.

Regardless of how serious or substantial the charges against you might be, it is important to prepare a robust defense based on competent, experienced legal skill. The lawyers at Criminal Lawyer have represented clients across the state of Iowa against all manner of criminal charges, and these talented Iowa lawyers are prepared to take your case to its most advantageous conclusion.

If you don’t know where to turn for help with your defense against criminal charges in Iowa, turn to us.

[Disclaimer - this is not legal advice.]