We are contracted with the State of Iowa to represent adults charged with criminal offenses in Linn, Johnson, Jones, and Benton Counties that are unable to afford to hire an attorney, based on state guidelines. Our firm handles simple misdemeanors, serious misdemeanors, aggravated misdemeanors, and all level of felony cases.

Our firm has the pleasure of working with youth involved in Iowa’s Child Welfare system. This includes youth who are considered a Child In Need of Assistance (CINA) or a youth who has a mental health and/or substance abuse committals at a hospital. Attorneys who work with youth get to advocate for the youth and defend their best interests in court. In these court-appointed cases the attorney often has the role of both attorney and guardian ad litem for the youth involved. In the role of guardian ad litem they are fighting for the safest and best interest of the youth. In the role of attorney, the lawyer is listening and advocating specifically for the desires of the youth they are working with. In most cases, the safest and best outcome for the youth is also what the youth desires to have happen in the case. However, there are times when the desires of the youth are not always in their best interest. If that happens the role of attorney and the role of guardian ad litem are split and one person would be assigned to represent each role so that they child’s wants and needs are being advocated for.

We also get court-appointed to represent juveniles who are charged with criminal offenses. Attorneys who represent children charged in delinquency cases will make sure that the youth fully understands the case, and will give their clients legal advice to help them make the best decision. While in other juvenile cases our attorneys often have both the role of attorney and guardian ad litem, in juvenile delinquency cases the attorney does not stand in the role of guardian ad litem.