If you live in the state of Iowa and have never needed criminal defense before, then you may have a certain false sense of security. It is very important that you, and anybody else for that matter, learn all they can about criminal defense in Iowa when they live in the state. Just because you are a law abiding citizen doesn't mean that you will never be arrested. You could end up being falsely accused for a crime, or you may commit a crime that was not premeditated in anger.
Finding an attorney is the most important part of criminal defense in Iowa. You must make sure that you find an excellent attorney that is well experienced in arguing against charges like the one you were arrested for. Some of the better criminal offense attorneys that can be found in the state of Iowa include: Rosenberg, Stowers & Morse; the Law Offices of Feuerhelm and Kenville, P.C.; and Gourley, Rehkemper & Lindholm. It may be of benefit to you to find a criminal offense attorney that specializes in the crime you have been accused for. For example, if you have been accused of vehicular crimes, then find a lawyer that specializes in vehicular crimes.
A large part of criminal defense in Iowa involves the arraignment. Once you have been charged with a crime, you will have an arraignment within 72 hours of your arrest. During this arraignment, you will be given the opportunity to make your plea to the court. There are 3 different pleas that you may make. First there is a guilty plea in which you are claiming to have committed the crime. Next, there is the not guilty plea which means that you are completely unrelated to the crime. There is also a plea of no contest in which you are neither disputing the charge nor admitting guilt.
The next step of the process of criminal defense in Iowa is the trial. It is very important that you have found yourself a skilled attorney to represent you, whether or not you actually committed the crime. Some people think that just because they are innocent that they will be judged fairly, but this is not always the case. After the trial, if you disagree with the outcome that was decided by the judge and jury, you have the right to appeal the case.