Iowa City Fake ID Charges

Given my Iowa City Criminal Defense practice, I see a lot of Fake ID cases with Iowa City’s student population.  With Iowa City’s abundant network of bars in close proximity to the University of Iowa’s campus, many students are tempted to use a Fake ID to purchase alcohol or enter a drinking establishment. This decision can have serious consequences. 

I primarily see three different kinds of Iowa City Fake ID cases. First, I see students charged with unlawful use of license or nonoperator’s ID card. This is a simple misdemeanor and it carries a 30 day minimum driver’s license suspension from the Iowa DOT. The most common situation involving this crime is when an individual uses the valid ID of a friend or relative who is over 21 to enter a bar.  Another common Iowa City Fake ID charge   is the use of a driver’s license or nonoperator’s ID card by an underage person to obtain alcohol. This is also a simple misdemeanor, but it carries up to a 6 month Iowa DOT license suspension.  The most serious Iowa City Fake ID charge that I commonly see is when an individual possesses an ID that was made by a person with no authority to make the license.  This is a serious misdemeanor that also comes with a 30 day minimum driver’s license suspension from the Iowa DOT.  This specific Iowa City Fake ID charge commonly comes up when an underage individual is caught with a fake ID containing their photo and identifying information that they bought online for the purpose of obtaining alcohol or getting into a bar. 

As many University of Iowa Students are from Illinois, their Iowa City Fake ID charge can have separate, and often more significant, consequences regarding their Illinois driver’s license.  In addition to the potential jail time, fines, and driver’s license consequences, an Iowa City Fake ID charge can lead to disciplinary sanctions through the Office of the Dean of Students for University of Iowa Students.

ONLINE MUG SHOT WEBSITES: THE HIDDEN COST OF AN ARREST

The New York Times recently had an excellent article, found here, about the proliferation of websites that post the “mug shots” of individuals who have been arrested.  With my practice as an Iowa City criminal defense lawyer I’ve started to see these websites pose problems for my clients. 

One of the biggest problems regarding mug shot websites is that these websites often display mug shot photos without any context. The mug shot of a mistakenly arrested individual who was soon released without being charged is displayed along with the mug shots of those charged and convicted of very serious offenses.  Moreover, these mug shots websites often take away the benefit of an individual who gets their case expunged or sealed due to good behavior subsequent to their arrest.  

These websites attempt make their profits from “offering” to remove a mug shot for a fee. This practice creates an extortion-like scenario where the website will remove this act of public humiliation for a fee. Even if an individual pays to have their mug shot removed from a site, they then must contend with the numerous other sites that have the individual’s mug shot in their database. Consequently, attempting to remove a mug shot online becomes a very expensive game of whack a mole. 

As the New York Times article linked above notes, hopefully changes are on the horizon to address many of the problematic aspects of these websites. Some states are contemplating legislation to curb the websites, many credit card companies are severing relationships with the sites, and Google is apparently making changes to their algorithm that will make it more difficult to find this information in a search.  

Tailgating & Law Enforcement: What to Know

It’s hard to believe that a quarter of the Hawkeye football regular season is over. As an Iowa City Criminal Defense Attorney, I often get calls from potential clients cited or arrested by law enforcement during or after a Hawkeye tailgate.  With my criminal defense practice in Iowa City, I’ve found that the most common tailgating infractions or criminal charges are open container violations, public intoxication, possession of alcohol under the legal age (“PAULA”), and OWI. These calls have prompted me to offer a few words of wisdom. 

First, if you’re going to tailgate, it makes sense to read and familiarize yourself with the University of Iowa’s tailgating rules and guidelines. These rules can be found here. 

Second, if you are under 21 you run the risk of a PAULA citation if seen by an officer possessing or consuming alcohol.  Officers inevitably fan out and patrol the stadium parking lot, the streets and sidewalks around the stadium, and even private residences near the stadium that are popular places to party.  A PAULA charge can problematic. It’s not worth the risk. If you’re under 21, enjoy the tailgate without alcohol. 

Third, if you are over 21 and consuming alcohol at a tailgate you need to use your head.  Drinking too much can lead to a public intoxication charge, which will likely lead to a trip to the Johnson County Jail.  It is also wise to pay special attention to the City of Iowa City and the University’s policy on where alcohol can be consumed. Again, it makes sense to read the University’s rules and guidelines on tailgating.  Hard liquor is strictly prohibited. Moreover, consumption of beer and wine are only allowed on game day in designated University parking areas during designated hours. Possession of alcohol on a public street or sidewalk is a violation of Iowa City’s open container ordinance. 

Fourth, do not drive home from your tailgate if you have had too much to drink. It takes longer than you would think for your BAC to drop to safe and legal levels for driving after a day of heavy drinking. As an Iowa City and Cedar Rapids OWI attorney, I know that the costs and consequences of an OWI are significant and that it’s best to catch a cab or ride home with a friend when in doubt.  

Go Hawks!

Johnson County Marijuana Diversion Program

As an Iowa City Criminal Defense Attorney, I have found the marijuana diversion program from the Johnson County Attorney’s Office to be an excellent option for clients who qualify, as their case is dismissed upon successful completion of the program.

The Johnson County Attorney’s Office has complete discretion to determine who qualifies for the program, and takes into account factors such as the defendant’s criminal history and the circumstances of the offense. 

If you are charged with possession of marijuana in Iowa City/Johnson County and qualify for the program, the following factors must be completed within 120 days from the date of your arraignment: 

1. You must attend the arraignment hearing IN PERSON. 
2.  At the arraignment you need to complete the application to participate in the diversion    program, sign a diversion agreement, waive your rights to a speedy trial, and resolve any related simple misdemeanor charges. A new arraignment date will be set in roughly 120 days to facilitate your participate in the program. 
3. You need to complete and pay for an approved substance abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment. 
4. You need to provide a clean urinalysis (“UA”) from an approved provider. 
5. You need to pay all court costs associated with the filing and dismissal of the case.
6.   You need to have no new criminal charges while in the diversion program. 
7.  You need to provide proof, in writing, that you have completed all of these requirements to the Johnson County Attorney’s Office by the second arraignment date.   

7    You need to provide proof, in writing, that you have completed all of these requirements to the Johnson County Attorney’s Office by the second arraignment date.   

The Johnson County Attorney’s Office will then review the case after 90 days and if all requirements are met the charge will be dismissed prior to the second arraignment.  

As noted earlier, as someone who practices criminal defense in Iowa City, I’ve found the program to be a wonderful choice for clients as it secures a dismissal without the expense and uncertainty of litigating an Iowa City/Johnson County possession of marijuana charge.

Professor John Neff's Blog on the Johnson County Criminal Justice System Has Moved

Professor Neff's blog on the Johnson County criminal justice system has moved. It can now be found here.

Will Iowa’s OWI BAC limit be reduced to .05?

On Tuesday, the National Transportation and Safety Board decided to push states to reduce the Driving Under the Influence legal limit from .08 to .05, as can be seen in today Gazette. Such a move could obviously significantly increase the number of OWI arrests and prosecutions. In future posts I will track attempts to implement this recommendation, including any proposed changes in the OWI limits here in Iowa.