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Our Practice
Criminal Law
Criminal law encompasses harmful conduct proscribed by State and Federal penal codes. It differs from civil law, which involves lawsuits individuals or business entities bring against each other for claiming money damages for a perceived wrong. Charges brought by the police, local authorities and State or Federal governments encompass a broad scope of criminal activity that includes misdemeanors and felonies and may implicate jail or prison sentences.
Felonies are serious crimes within both state and federal jurisdiction. Punishable according to the severity of the crime, felonies carry penalties that are over $1000 in fines, over one year (federal) and two years (Iowa) in prison or probation. Felonies include, but are not limited to: homicide, aggravated assault, hate crime, kidnapping, rape, stalking burglary, robbery, white collar crimes and violations of State or Federal drug and gun laws.
Misdemeanors are minor crimes compared to felonies and carry lesser penalties, which may include fines, forfeitures or prison terms. In some cases, community service may comprise part or all of the punishment for misdemeanors. A few examples of misdemeanors are DUI/DWI, drug possession, simple assault, battery, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, shoplifting and criminal trespass.
While DUI is generally a misdemeanor, if another person was injured or killed as a result of drunk driving, the offense may be a felony. A third or greater repeated number of DUI offenses within 12 years carry a maximum penalty of 2-3 years in prison is considered a felony with a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The moment you are charged with a crime, your future is in jeopardy. Even misdemeanors can negatively impact your life. Blemishes on your record can affect your business reputation, may be grounds for denial of professional licenses and limit employment opportunities. Contacting a criminal law attorney as soon as possible is critical to protect your rights, navigate complex criminal laws and adhere to rules of procedures that ensure a fair trial. At Arenson & Zimmermann, located in Cedar Rapids, our attorneys have extensive experience representing clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges, in state and federal court in Iowa.
Whether your case is dismissed or the allegation leads to conviction, acquittal, or favorable settlement lies in the hands of your attorney. With years of criminal law experience and expertise in litigation, our criminal defense attorneys carefully weigh the evidence against you before choosing the best course of action to obtain the most favorable outcome possible in your case.
Early intervention in criminal defense matters can be critical to the outcome of your case. When you are facing criminal allegation or have been charged with a criminal offense, please contact our office immediately at 319-363-8199 to discuss how our attorneys can assist you.The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements, certification, specialization or self-proclaimed expertise. A description or indication of limitation of practice does not mean that any agency or board has certified such lawyers as specialist or expert in an indicated field of law practice nor does it mean that such lawyer is necessarily any more expert or competent than any other lawyer. All potential clients are urged to make their own independent investigation and evaluation of any lawyer being considered. These disclosures are required by the Supreme Court of Iowa. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. [ Site Map ]
