Des Moines Criminal Defense Lawyer

The Criminal Defense Representation You Deserve

A criminal conviction can permanently alter your life. Aside from legal penalties, you also face damage to your reputation and a threat to your livelihood. You need an experienced legal advocate by your side to defend you and protect your rights. With so much at stake, if you’re convicted, it’s important to contact an experienced Des Moines criminal defense lawyer to discuss your rights and available defenses and to provide peace of mind during the whole process.

Attorney Amanda Adams spent over a decade working for large firms in the Des Moines metro area, representing clients in various criminal matters. When you work with the Law Offices of Amanda T. Adams PLLC, you get big-city firm experience close to home. With offices in Johnson, Iowa, and Crystal Lake, Illinois, she defends clients in both states against criminal charges.

Comprehensive Criminal Defense Representation

Even if your charge is your first for a criminal offense, it can significantly impact your life. Certain convictions can prevent you from holding specific jobs and licenses or obtaining housing and can result in losing your freedom.

A knowledgeable Des Moines criminal defense attorney can defend you against a variety of criminal charges, including:

• Drug crimes. Recently, Iowa was ranked 35th for illicit drug use and 48th in overdose deaths in the United States, and this data shows an increase in alcohol and drug use in our state. Iowa’s drug crime laws closely mirror the federal Controlled Substances Act, meaning possession of a variety of narcotics is illegal. Iowa law supplies strict consequences for drug-related crimes like selling, manufacturing, or the possession of large amounts of controlled substances.
• DUI and OWI. With high concentrations of alcohol-serving establishments throughout areas like the Court Avenue District and near I-235 or I-80, drinking hotspots lead to the police patrolling more heavily and catching impaired local drivers.
• Driving while under the influence of alcoholic beverages (driving with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more) and/or driving under the influence of a controlled substance (as measured by blood or urine testing) is unlawful. You could face significant penalties, like fines, jail time, and/or license suspension, and there are harsher penalties for a repeat offense.
• Domestic violence. Iowa’s domestic violence (abuse) laws protect individuals from violence by a family member and other individuals they may live with or anyone they may have a romantic relationship with. Someone convicted of domestic abuse in Iowa can face criminal charges, jail time, protection orders, firearm restrictions, and more.
• Disorderly conduct. If you’re facing criminal charges for disorderly conduct, you may face misdemeanor or felony charges depending upon the conduct specific to your case.
• Assault. There are several different crimes within the general intent crime of assault. Generally, an assault is any action that’s intended to cause harm, pain, injury, or offensive contact to someone else. You can face criminal misdemeanor or felony charges in Des Moines depending upon the harm caused or the weapon(s) used.
• Vandalism, Criminal Mischief, Damage, and Trespass to Property. If you damage someone’s property, it can result in Des Moines criminal charges.
• Arson. If you were charged with arson, you’re likely facing charges for allegedly causing some type of fire or explosion with the intent to destroy someone’s property (either yours or someone else’s). Also, you could face arson charges for causing a fire or explosion that occurred while in the process of manufacturing a controlled substance. Arson can be a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the case circumstances.
• Theft crimes. Theft means taking possession or control of someone else’s property with the specific intent to deprive that person of their property. Theft includes intentional acts like shoplifting, pickpocketing, and other actions that involve taking jewelry, money, or other similar valuables from someone without their consent. Theft charges in Des Moines can be felonies or misdemeanors, depending on the value of the stolen property.

An experienced attorney can provide reliable legal assistance. An attorney can investigate your charges, collect evidence to build a compelling defense case, file motions to suppress any incriminating or irrelevant evidence, consult expert witnesses, and help support you throughout your case.

Ms. Adams can also defend college students against various offenses, including disorderly conduct and shoplifting. She understands a criminal charge and conviction’s impact on a student’s life. She works to prevent devastating and life-altering penalties.

If you or a loved one face criminal charges in Des Moines, contact a trusted attorney to discuss your case.

Possible Criminal Defenses

In Des Moines criminal cases, there are some defenses that are commonly raised, and any available defense must be raised in advance of trial and within 40 days of an arraignment hearing.

The defenses that might be available in your case depend on case circumstances. However, your attorney may consider arguing:

• Alibi. You may be able to claim you were somewhere else entirely at the time of the crime of which you’ve been accused.
• Insanity. If applicable, you may be able to argue that you weren’t of sound mind when the crime was allegedly committed.
• Diminished Responsibility. This defense exists to argue that your specific mental state at the time of the accused crime wasn’t sufficient to have committed the crime and can reduce your culpability.
• Intoxication. If you were intoxicated, you may not have been able to form the necessary criminal intent for the accused crime. For example, after drinking heavily at Hello, Marjorie, Maria takes someone else’s expensive jacket, reasonably thinking it’s actually hers. If Maria is later charged with theft, she might be able to argue that intoxication is a valid defense since the crime of theft in Des Moines is a specific intent crime.
• Entrapment. Your attorney may be able to argue you were influenced by law enforcement to act in a way to commit a crime and aren’t, therefore, responsible.
• Justification. You may be able to assert your actions were justified, like if you acted in self-defense or in defense of someone else, or even to protect property.
• Procedural Defenses. Sometimes, you can argue appropriate procedures weren’t followed to protect your rights.
• Constitutional Violations. If law enforcement violated your constitutional rights, such as by failing to read your Miranda rights, you may be able to have your charges dismissed.
• Lack of Evidence. An attorney can help poke holes in the evidence intended for use against you to create sufficient reasonable doubt.
• Innocence. Evidence may be so compelling to show you didn’t commit any crime.
• Authorization/Consent. In some cases, there may be solid evidence to show your actions were entirely appropriate.
• Mistake. You may be able to argue there was a mistake of law or fact that helps with your defense case.
• Duress. This is similar to the defense of entrapment, but you may have been forced by someone else to commit a crime. For example, if someone forces you at gunpoint to rob the Iowa State Bank in Urbandale, you may be able to use duress.

An attorney can discuss whether specific defenses are appropriate based on your individual case.

Criminal Defense FAQs

At the Law Offices of Amanda T. Adams PLLC, we can answer as many of your questions as possible about your criminal defense case. Here are some answers to questions you may already have:

Contact Law Offices of Amanda T. Adams – Protecting Your Rights And Your Freedom

Don’t face a criminal charge alone. At the Law Offices of Amanda T. Adams PLLC, you receive the personal care and attention you deserve. We understand how overwhelming the legal process can be and work to ensure our clients have a clear understanding of every step in their case.

When you have a question, we respond promptly and have after-hours appointments available upon request.

Please contact our experienced legal team to discuss any misdemeanor or minor felony charge you might be facing. Please note that our team doesn’t handle any sex crimes or violent crimes like murder.

Contact the Law Offices of Amanda T. Adams PLLC, by calling 815-250-7084 or completing an online contact form to schedule a free consultation. Our office is located at the Foxboro Square Business Center in Johnston, Iowa, a busy suburb of beautiful Des Moines. We have plenty of convenient parking available for our clients.

Contact us to discuss your Des Moines criminal matter.