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What is the Shifting Landscape of DACA Immigration?

An immigration program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has been featured prominently in the news of late.  Today we will explore the presently shifting landscape for the DACA program. What is DACA? Created on June 15, 2012, the U.S. Government rolled out the DACA program to protect the

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Drunk Driving Laws in Iowa Explained

It can happen to anyone.  You have a few too many drinks at dinner or a party.  Then you see flashing lights in your rearview mirror on the drive home.  If the police officer suspects intoxication, you may be charged with a DUI and face severe penalties. Given the grave

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Why You Might Need a Criminal Defense Attorney if You Have a Green Card

Like any of the nearly 13 million individuals arrested each year in the United States, those who are arrested and are lawful permanent residents (i.e. green card holders) of the U.S. should seek the counsel of an experienced green card criminal defense attorney.  Often times green card holders can face additional punishment compared

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Five Questions to Ask When Searching for an Immigration Attorney

Immigrants are the lifeblood of our nation, and to this day nearly 15% of the U.S. population is made up of immigrants.  However, immigrating to the United States can be one of the more difficult things an individual can do.  The length of the strenuous immigration process and the ever-changing

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Trump Administration Proposes to Reduce Immigration

President Trump backed a bill that would reduce legal immigration by restricting entry of foreign family members into the United States, according to an article by The New York Times.  This change to existing family immigration laws applies to both American citizens petitioning for their family members to live in

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What is Mandatory Minimum Sentencing?

According to the United States Sentencing Commission, nearly 60% of federal offenders were convicted of a crime that carries a minimum mandatory sentence. This means that the individuals were convicted of a crime for which the law mandates the offender serve a certain sentence. These minimums are strictly enforced on

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Stopped by Police, Suspected Drunk Driving?

It can happen to anyone:  You have had one too many drinks and you get behind the wheel and head home.  Before you know it, blue and white lights are flashing in your rearview mirror and you know what is about to happen.  This can be an extremely nerve-wracking experience,

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How to Prepare for the Spouse Visa Interview

Applying for a spouse visa for a foreign citizen involves countless steps and forms to navigate.  There are different processes for different situations – this article deals with the situation where the foreign spouse resides outside of the United States, the US citizen resides in the United States, and the

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Was Your Spouse’s Visa Refused? Here’s What to Do Next

As the Trump Administration continues to roll out sweeping immigration reform tensions are high for families who are concerned about being split up due to lack of immigration status. For couples that are married and only one spouse is a United States citizen, it is common to believe that the spouse seeking

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What is the Difference Between State and Federal Crime?

Americans are used to hearing the words ‘state crime’ and ‘federal crime’ thrown around on the news.  Many do not bat an eye at the differing terms, only passing the terminology off as legal banter, however, it is extremely important to understand the difference between state and federal crime.  State

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What You Need to Know About Your Miranda Rights

Almost everyone is familiar with the idea of Miranda Rights from their favorite television show or their high school civics class.  Americans are generally familiar with the fact that all citizens are entitled to “be read their rights.”  It is common for people to assume that if they have been

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Why You Need an Immigration Lawyer

Are you a business owner seeking to hire or retain a foreign born employee?   Are you a United States citizen who wants to marry someone who lives outside of the United States?  Are you seeking to become a United States citizen?  These common situations involving immigration, and many others, often

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What is a “Sanctuary City” and Why Does it Matter?

“Sanctuary city” is an informal term used to describe cities or jurisdictions where local law enforcement does not cooperate with federal immigration authorities regarding the enforcement of civil immigration laws.  The majority of the controversy with sanctuary cities centers around federal government Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) detainers requesting local

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Can You Get Your Green Card Through a Family Member?

In the United States, obtaining a permanent resident card—also known as a green card—is vital for individuals who seek to legally reside in the country for an extended period. An individual with a permanent resident card can live and work inside the United States on a permanent basis. Securing permanent

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If I Lost My Case at Trial, Do I Have the Right to Appeal?

The legal system is not perfect. In some cases, juries make mistakes. Their mistakes are usually prompted by the mistakes made by prosecutors and judges. Fortunately, whenever a jury returns a guilty verdict, the defendant has a right to appeal. What Is an Appeal? It is important to understand that

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What Are My Options If I Am Arrested for a Drug Crime in Iowa?

Being arrested for a drug crime, including marijuana possession, can be terrifying.  Whether you are innocent, guilty, or accused of a more serious offense than you actually committed, an arrest can be a life-changing experience.  It can affect your future, your job, your career. Individuals who are arrested in Iowa

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What You Need to Know If You Are Caught with Marijuana in Iowa

On a national level, marijuana laws are confusing. Almost a dozen states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. A majority of states have enacted legislation that allows marijuana to be used as a treatment for certain medical conditions. Some communities have effectively decriminalized marijuana by making it a low

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5 Things to Know About Sentencing for White-Collar Crimes in Iowa

White-collar offenses are financial crimes, often committed in the course of employment or otherwise involving a betrayal of trust. White-collar crimes expose offenders to a risk of incarceration. Here are five things to know about sentencing if you think you might be convicted of white-collar crime. White-Collar Offenders May Be

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Methamphetamine Prosecutions in Iowa

While opioids are in the national headlines, prosecutors in Iowa continue to concentrate their resources on methamphetamine offenses. According to the Des Moines Register, meth arrests in Iowa have increased substantially over the last five years. A Cedar Rapids criminal defense lawyer can help individuals who are charged with methamphetamine

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WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

I was so lucky that Mr. Scheetz was my Immigration Lawyer. Everything seemed to turn from black to white after meeting with him. His immediate attention and action were extremely impressive. Thank you!

– Gina B.

I am so grateful for what Mr. Scheetz did for my cousin William J., he saved his life. And also he proved me wrong. My family and I are eternally thankful for all his efforts.

– Mike N.

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