The U.S. Constitution protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures, which means the police must follow the law when obtaining or seizing evidence during criminal investigations. Otherwise, it is a violation of your rights, with potentially far-reaching implications. A search and seizure by the police is unlawful if they do not have legally justifiable grounds, such as probable cause or… The post Can an illegal search impact your criminal case? first appeared on Carr Law Firm P.L.C ..read more

Many people preparing for divorce dream of making a clean break with their spouses. They want to move on with their lives and never see their spouse again if possible. When married couples have children together, that kind of complete separation usually isn’t realistic. Parents in Iowa typically share custody after they divorce. Parents have to see each other when… The post When do Iowa judges grant one parent sole custody? first appeared on Carr Law Firm P.L.C ..read more

As a parent whose teen is heading off to college, you may be worried about their alcohol use. You know that it’s common on college campuses. As far as you know, your teenager has not been drinking in high school, and you don’t want them to develop new habits that could be detrimental to their educational career – or that… The post Why do college students drink alcohol? first appeared on Carr Law Firm P.L.C ..read more

If you file for a divorce, you have to serve the divorce petition to your spouse. You can do so in person, by mail or by publication. This paperwork tells your spouse about the upcoming divorce, and they have to legally respond to the petition. The court can then begin to set up hearings and court dates. However, your spouse… The post Does your spouse have to respond to a divorce petition? first appeared on Carr Law Firm P.L.C ..read more

Getting divorced is a major decision for several reasons. It signals the end of a long-term relationship. For parents, it means possibly disrupting the children. Divorce is also a financial commitment. The average divorce in the U.S. costs between $15,000 and $20,000.   However, these figures can reach higher amounts should the divorce be highly contested and lengthy. At the same… The post How to keep divorce costs down  first appeared on Carr Law Firm P.L.C ..read more

Divorce is an emotionally difficult and complex process, not to mention expensive. It often involves negotiation over what both people want; in some cases, it can get quite contentious. Enter mediation. What is mediation? If both you and the other party agree, it is an alternative path you can take, where you settle all matters (or, in some cases, some matters) out of court. Mediation What is unique about mediation? People often want to know what the benefits of choosing this option are. For starters, it is much cheaper than traditional litigation. Mediation aims to have a back-and-forth conve ..read more

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration recently announced its intention to change marijuana from a Schedule I drug to Schedule III. Marijuana reform advocates – including many medical professionals — have said for many years that this is the more appropriate category for it.  Schedule I drugs, which also include ecstasy and heroin, are categorized as having no medical value. Of course, a multitude of studies and anecdotal evidence show that this isn’t the case with marijuana. Schedule III drugs include anabolic steroids, ketamine and even acetaminophen with codeine.  People in stat ..read more

Dissolving a marriage can be a complicated process. You need to be adequately informed from the word go. One of the things to understand is whether or not you need legal grounds to file for a divorce. Here is what you need to know: No-fault divorce Iowa recognizes no-fault divorce. Therefore, someone who files for a divorce (a petitioner) doesn’t need to blame their spouse for breaking the marriage or inform the court about the wrongdoings of their spouse. All they have to show is the marriage is broken, and there is no likelihood for it to be saved. The steps to follow If you want to obtain a ..read more

You probably are aware that Iowa doesn’t take drug offenses lightly, but have you ever wondered how severe the penalties are? Drug charges, even simple possession of marijuana, can be more than a minor setback. A conviction can severely disrupt your life, and the consequences can last a lifetime. Here is what you need to know about how long you could spend behind bars for drug offenses and the factors that could influence these sentences. The amount and type of drug matters Iowa, like other states, classifies drugs into different schedules. The penalties for various drug charges depend heavily ..read more

Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (OWI) is against the law in Iowa. Those who cannot drive safely because they have had too much to drink and those who are over the legal limit for their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) are at risk of arrest and prosecution. The Iowa criminal courts can potentially hand down an assortment of different penalties for an OWI conviction. Drivers often worry about jail time or financial penalties. They may also feel quite anxious about the prospect of losing their driver’s license. After all, being unable to drive can affect someone ..read more