Criminal Law (State & Federal)

Criminal Defense Attorneys in Des Moines, IA

Our attorneys understand the impact a criminal charge has on your life. If you’re facing a serious charge in either State court or Federal court in Iowa, it could impact your employment, educational opportunities, ability to find housing, and other parts of your life you may not fully understand heading into a case. The criminal defense attorneys at Gribble, Boles, Stewart, and Witosky can assist in resolving your case and minimizing your exposure to jail or prison. We do that by giving our clients the best chance to succeed in court, by providing the highest level of legal expertise, commitment, and attention to the intricacies of your case. Our attorneys work diligently to secure the best legal outcomes for our clients, and our success rate is exceptionally high because of our ability to truly get to know you and the facts of your case. There’s a reason we’re one of the best criminal defense teams in Iowa with attorneys that come with a proven track record.

Types of Criminal Charges

OWI / Operating While Intoxicated or Under the Influence

Regardless of what type of OWI conviction you are facing, our attorneys devise a strategy to defend against your charges. Each OWI case is unique, and our experienced attorneys are able to choose the proper defense based on the specific individual circumstances surrounding your case. Common defense tactics we use to defend against OWI charges include:

Lack of physical control of the vehicle
Lack of evidence
No probable cause for a police stop
Problems with a breathalyzer or blood test equipment or the results
Violation of the client’s constitutional rights
Existence of medical conditions or medications with unknown effects

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a serious criminal charge that can result in serious consequences. If you are convicted of domestic violence, you face:

The loss of legal rights to your children
Restraining orders against protected parties
A suspended driver’s license
Loss of firearms rights
Rehabilitation classes and programs
Criminal consequences as well as civil consequences
Paying damages, fees, and court costs

Drug Offenses

Iowa drug offenses include unlawful possession, use, production, manufacture, transportation, and sale of a number of controlled substances, such as marijuana, meth amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, and prescription drugs. Penalties for a drug conviction range depending on the seriousness of the crime and whether it is a state or federal prosecution. Both federal law and Iowa law provide for mandatory minimum sentences which can result in unfair long prison terms for relatively minor drug crimes.

Sexual Offenses

Sex offenses in Iowa include sexual assault, sexual conduct with a minor, online child pornography, sexual abuse, child molestation, and others. All sex offenses carry serious penalties, including the potential for mandatory registration as a sex offender and other collateral consequences. Even without a conviction, the mere investigation or allegation of a charge of a sex crime brings negative consequences to your professional and personal life.