A felony is a criminal offense in the State of Iowa that is punishable with more than two years of jail. Felonies are serious criminal offenses and are considered more severe than misdemeanors. The prosecuting office typically seeks substantial custody time. Examples of felonies include murder, possession of narcotics with intent to deliver, sexual assault, aggravated domestic assault, third offense DUI or DUI causing death or serious injury, arson, and embezzlement. Many other offenses are also considered felony offenses. These offenses can carry substantial jail time under the laws of the State of Iowa. 

Please contact defense attorney, Dennis E. McKelvie, to represent your rights if you are accused of a felony.

Your attorney can file a motion in court for a bond review hearing to ask to have the bail amount lowered and/or the terms of the bond changed. Your attorney can argue for a lower, more affordable bond amount or to have you released on your own recognizance based on factors such as job status, family ties, length of time in the community, severity of criminal charges, and community responsibilities. Your attorney can also request a "cash only" bond to be converted to a "cash or surety" bond. Some people can qualify for release to pretrial services. 

If your family member is in jail and they cannot afford to bond out, contact McKelvie Law Office to discuss your options and to get help.

A misdemeanor is a criminal offense in the State of Iowa that is punishable with less than two years of jail time. Misdemeanor offenses are less severe than felonies. Examples of misdemeanors include cases of first and second offense DUI without death or serious bodily injury, simple assault, disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia, public intoxication, driving while license suspended, and theft of items worth less than $1,000. Many other offenses are also considered misdemeanors, but these are some of the common offenses.

Please contact defense attorney, Dennis E. McKelvie, to represent your rights if you are accused of a misdemeanor. 

Depending on the circumstances of your criminal case, McKelvie Law Office can help defend your rights in some of the following ways:

• Prepare your case for trial by investigating the facts, interviewing key witnesses and gathering information essential to your defense
• Argue your case through legal motions and other written proceedings
• Represent you at trial with an aggressive defense
• Negotiate a “deal” with prosecutors, often arranging for reduced charges and a lesser sentence
• Formulate a sentencing program tailored to a client’s specific needs and help the client avoid future brushes with the criminal justice system
• Help an accused person cope with the feelings of fear, embarrassment and reduced self-esteem that criminal charges tend to produce in many people
• Provide a knowledgeable, objective perspective on the situation and what is likely to happen should your case go to trial