by Attorney Eric D. Puryear There are many situations where a person is incorrectly accused of a crime, due to a mistaken identity issue. Our firm has represented clients in both Iowa and Illinois who have been accused of a crime that someone else had committed.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Accusations of child abuse, even when false, can have a profound and harmful effect upon many aspects of a person’s life. For that reason, properly handling such false abuse accusations that are investigated by Iowa DHS or Illinois DCFS is of great importance.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Under Iowa law, a Final Domestic Abuse protective order is entered by the court for a term of up to one year. It is possible for such an order (often called a protective order, or a restraining order) to be extended by the Iowa District Court that granted the
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In many cases, a person will wish to avoid having to take their case to trial. Paradoxically, by preparing for trial, a person can often avoid trial – and get the most favorable outcome possible.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear On March 31, 2016, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed the Hearing Protection Act, House File 2279, into law. The Hearing Protection Act legalizes the possession of sound suppressors and the use of sound suppressors for hunting in Iowa. This change bring Iowa into line with the 41 other states that
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Motions are a key part of just about every type of court case. This article discusses Motions in the Iowa and Illinois legal systems.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Criminal convictions can have significant consequences for a person who is not a US citizen. Those consequences can include deportation.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Iowa DHS and Illinois DCFS workers are often in a hurry to speak with a person who is being investigated for child abuse or neglect. There is a reason for that rush, and it is not something that benefits justice or the person who is under investigation.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear The Federal crime of making certain threats or demands through Interstate Communications is defined by 18 U.S.C. § 875 as follows:
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) investigates allegations of dependent adult abuse in Iowa, and defines dependent adult abuse as follows
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear The Federal crime of Theft or Embezzlement in Connection with Health Care 18 U.S. Code § 669:
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In a child custody case, those who try to represent themselves tend to run into significant problems. Every person who is facing a child custody case needs an attorney, for two main reasons:
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear A Federal law, the Firearms Owners’ Protection Action (FOPA), provides a safe harbor for the interstate transportation of firearms as set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 926A:
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear The Federal crime of Mailing Threatening Communications is defined by 18 U.S. Code § 876:
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear The Federal crime of Theft, embezzlement, or misapplication by bank officer or employee is defined in 18 U.S.C. § 656 as follows:
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Foster parents are often the subject of child abuse investigations by DHS (in Iowa) or DCFS (in Illinois). Properly handing such an investigation is especially important.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear The Federal crime of Blackmail is defined in 18 U.S.C. § 873 as follow:
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear A recent article from the Chicago Tribune about a report the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services shows what many people have known for some time – Illinois DCFS is riddled with problems.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear A conviction for theft or shoplifting can have a long-lasting effect upon a person’s life, in a variety of different ways.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Trafficking in certain motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts, or operating a chop shop, is a Federal offense under 18 U.S.C. § 2321 and 18 U.S.C. § 2322, respectively: