Defense Strategies for Embezzlement Charges in Iowa
Embezzlement is the fraudulent taking of property that has been entrusted to the person’s care. A business bookkeeper who secretly transfers funds from a business account to her own account has committed the offense of embezzlement. A warehouse manager who steals goods and deletes them from warehouse records to conceal the theft would also be […]
What Is Meant by a Rising BAC Defense?
Chemical tests of drivers are designed to detect their blood alcohol concentration (BAC). In Iowa, the “legal limit” for most drivers is a BAC of 0.08. Driving with a BAC above 0.08 is sufficient proof of the crime of operating while intoxicated (OWI or DUI) even if the driver is in complete and careful control […]
Can ICE Investigators Use a Private Database?
The federal agency charged with enforcing immigration laws, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has surprised Congress with its willingness to invade the privacy of citizens while searching for people who entered or remained in the country without proper documents. Researchers at Georgetown University discovered that ICE is paying for access to private databases that […]
What Do Police Look for When They Search for Intoxicated Drivers on the Road?
Police officers have broad authority to stop suspected drunk drivers, but they can’t do so on a whim. The Constitution prohibits an officer from stopping a driver unless the officer has a reasonable suspicion that the driver is violating the law. In a DUI case, that means the police need to see driving behavior that […]
Why You Shouldn’t Speak to the Police Without First Speaking to Your Attorney
You have the right to remain silent. Everyone who watches crime dramas on television has heard about that right. Unfortunately, people who don’t have frequent encounters with the police rarely understand how important it is to exercise that right. Why You Should Exercise the Right to Remain Silent Constitutional rights are useless if you don’t […]
At What Point Should I Obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL)?
If you live in Iowa and own a firearm, you probably don’t need a license to sell that firearm to another Iowa resident. The law is more complicated if you are in the business of selling firearms. A firearms dealer needs to obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL) from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, […]
