Interference with official acts may only be a simple misdemeanor, but it frequently charged, and often for conduct that does not fit the crime. Attorneys Benjamin Bergmann and Carly Scott teamed up to get justice for a client wrongfully charged with interference with official acts. At trial, the magistrate got it wrong and convicted the client for conduct that was not interference under the law.
They appealed to the district court for review, who agreed. The client’s conviction was reversed and the case dismissed!
Call us for your case, no matter how big or how small. We will fight for you every step of the way. 515-284-5737 ... See MoreSee Less
UPDATE - Phones are up and working. Please call us on Monday!
ACTUALIZACION - Los telefonos ya funcionan. Por favor llamenos el lunes.
Our phones are currently not working. If you need urgent assistance, please send us a message here or email your attorney or staff directly. We are sorry for the inconvenience and will get the phones back up working ASAP. Thank you for your understanding.
Nuestros teléfonos no funcionan en este momento. Si necesita ayuda urgente, envíenos un mensaje aquí o envíe un correo electrónico a su abogado o asistente directamente. Lamentamos el inconveniente y haremos que los teléfonos vuelvan a funcionar lo antes posible. Gracias por su comprensión. ... See MoreSee Less
Al Smith and Benjamin D. Bergmann won a case in the 8th Circuit today. The court ruled that the client’s state conviction for “knowingly purchas[ing] or possess[ing] a visual depiction of a minor engaging in a prohibited sexual act or the simulation of a prohibited sexual act” under Iowa Code § 728.12(3) was broader than the generic federal offense for the aggravated felony “sexual abuse of a minor” under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(A). The court ruled that the while the statute might encompass production of child pornography, it does not encompass mere possession, and that some sort of act beyond possession is required to fit under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(A) 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(I) already covers child pornography offenses. In addition, the offense was not a crime involving moral turpitude because it only requires the defendant to have known that he possessed an image, not that the image depicted a minor. As a result of the decision, the finding that the client was removable has been reversed and the case has been remanded to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
This case was incredibly difficult and required Ben and Al's many years of experience litigating difficult immigration cases. Please call us at 515-284-5737 so we can help you with your case. ... See MoreSee Less
Parrish attorneys Tammy Gentry and Gina Messamer defended Gowun Park on charges of First Degree Murder and First Degree Kidnapping. They secured Ms. Park's release from jail pending trial. They asserted Ms. Park acted in self-defense and suffered from Battered Women’s Syndrome. The case went on for 4 years, including the State’s interlocutory appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court after Ms. Park successfully had her statements to police suppressed. Through experts and a vigorous defense, a plea was reached and Ms. Park was successful in arguing her sentence to 10 years, but will serve significantly less time.
Tammy and Gina were able to earn a great result in a very challenging case. Please do not leave your case to chance. Call us and put us to work on securing you a great result, too. Call us 515-284-5737.
Attorneys Ben Bergmann and Lauren Young recently represented a client facing up to 50 years on Class B felony charges, a special life sentence, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. After reviewing the evidence and interviewing witnesses, Ben and Lauren convinced the prosecutors to reduce the charges to misdemeanors and to agree that the offenses were not sexually motivated. Ben and Lauren's hard work not only got the client released with time served but kept the client from being wrongfully branded a sex offender for the rest of their life.
Call (515) 284-5737 to speak to our team of experienced attorneys about your criminal case, whether big or small. ... See MoreSee Less
Ben Bergmann and Jess Donels just closed out a criminal case in Wapello County. Ben and Jess were able to piece together cellphone data to cast serious doubt on the complaining witness’ story. After depositions, the investigating officer admitted we changed his view of the case. The prosecutor agreed, and the class C felony was reduced to a simple misdemeanor. Our client will pay a small fine and move on with his life!
Call us about your important case - 515-284-5737 ... See MoreSee Less
Alfredo Parrish spoke to KCCI about a proposed bill that would serious curtail a criminal defendant's ability to defend against charges. ... See MoreSee Less
A jury found Gina Messamer’s client NOT GUILTY yesterday in a case involving 1st Amendment rights and the transgender community in Iowa City. The courtroom was full the entire time, which speaks volumes about the community’s engagement on these issues.
Attorney Gina Messamer represented 14 people who were wrongfully arrested. The City of Des Moines will pay $800,000 to settle the case.
... See MoreSee Less
City settles major George Floyd protest arrest lawsuit, will pay 14 plaintiffs $800,000
www.desmoinesregister.com
: A settlement resolving claims by 14 people comes after a U.S. appeals court ruling that police in Des Moines lacked probable cause for many arrests0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Interference with official acts may only be a simple misdemeanor, but it frequently charged, and often for conduct that does not fit the crime. Attorneys Benjamin Bergmann and Carly Scott teamed up to get justice for a client wrongfully charged with interference with official acts. At trial, the magistrate got it wrong and convicted the client for conduct that was not interference under the law.
They appealed to the district court for review, who agreed. The client’s conviction was reversed and the case dismissed!
Call us for your case, no matter how big or how small. We will fight for you every step of the way. 515-284-5737 ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Good work!
UPDATE - Phones are up and working. Please call us on Monday!
ACTUALIZACION - Los telefonos ya funcionan. Por favor llamenos el lunes.
Our phones are currently not working. If you need urgent assistance, please send us a message here or email your attorney or staff directly. We are sorry for the inconvenience and will get the phones back up working ASAP. Thank you for your understanding.
Nuestros teléfonos no funcionan en este momento. Si necesita ayuda urgente, envíenos un mensaje aquí o envíe un correo electrónico a su abogado o asistente directamente. Lamentamos el inconveniente y haremos que los teléfonos vuelvan a funcionar lo antes posible. Gracias por su comprensión. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Al Smith and Benjamin D. Bergmann won a case in the 8th Circuit today. The court ruled that the client’s state conviction for “knowingly purchas[ing] or possess[ing] a visual depiction of a minor engaging in a prohibited sexual act or the simulation of a prohibited sexual act” under Iowa Code § 728.12(3) was broader than the generic federal offense for the aggravated felony “sexual abuse of a minor” under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(A). The court ruled that the while the statute might encompass production of child pornography, it does not encompass mere possession, and that some sort of act beyond possession is required to fit under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(A) 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(I) already covers child pornography offenses. In addition, the offense was not a crime involving moral turpitude because it only requires the defendant to have known that he possessed an image, not that the image depicted a minor. As a result of the decision, the finding that the client was removable has been reversed and the case has been remanded to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
This case was incredibly difficult and required Ben and Al's many years of experience litigating difficult immigration cases. Please call us at 515-284-5737 so we can help you with your case. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Parrish attorneys Tammy Gentry and Gina Messamer defended Gowun Park on charges of First Degree Murder and First Degree Kidnapping. They secured Ms. Park's release from jail pending trial. They asserted Ms. Park acted in self-defense and suffered from Battered Women’s Syndrome. The case went on for 4 years, including the State’s interlocutory appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court after Ms. Park successfully had her statements to police suppressed. Through experts and a vigorous defense, a plea was reached and Ms. Park was successful in arguing her sentence to 10 years, but will serve significantly less time.
Tammy and Gina were able to earn a great result in a very challenging case. Please do not leave your case to chance. Call us and put us to work on securing you a great result, too. Call us 515-284-5737.
... See MoreSee Less
Ex-Simpson professor Gowun Park gets 10 years in husband's bizarre strangulation death
www.desmoinesregister.com
Taking a plea deal, former Simpson College professor Gowun Park of West Des Moines avoided a lengthy term in her husband's strangulation death.1 CommentComment on Facebook
Way to go!
Attorneys Ben Bergmann and Lauren Young recently represented a client facing up to 50 years on Class B felony charges, a special life sentence, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. After reviewing the evidence and interviewing witnesses, Ben and Lauren convinced the prosecutors to reduce the charges to misdemeanors and to agree that the offenses were not sexually motivated. Ben and Lauren's hard work not only got the client released with time served but kept the client from being wrongfully branded a sex offender for the rest of their life.
Call (515) 284-5737 to speak to our team of experienced attorneys about your criminal case, whether big or small. ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Great work! 😁
Ben Bergmann and Jess Donels just closed out a criminal case in Wapello County. Ben and Jess were able to piece together cellphone data to cast serious doubt on the complaining witness’ story. After depositions, the investigating officer admitted we changed his view of the case. The prosecutor agreed, and the class C felony was reduced to a simple misdemeanor. Our client will pay a small fine and move on with his life!
Call us about your important case - 515-284-5737 ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Lisa Wesley .
Alfredo Parrish spoke to KCCI about a proposed bill that would serious curtail a criminal defendant's ability to defend against charges. ... See MoreSee Less
New bill in Iowa House proposes changes to the subpoena process for criminal defendants
www.kcci.com
The bill, SF2349, looks to prevent criminal defense attorneys or defendants from using evidence from subpoenas unless they go through the court.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
A jury found Gina Messamer’s client NOT GUILTY yesterday in a case involving 1st Amendment rights and the transgender community in Iowa City. The courtroom was full the entire time, which speaks volumes about the community’s engagement on these issues.
... See MoreSee Less
Jury acquits UI protester of disorderly conduct, interference with official acts
www.press-citizen.com
A 12-person jury found Tara Dutcher not guilty of disorderly conduct and interference with official acts on Wednesday.0 CommentsComment on Facebook