Legal Question in Criminal Law in Iowa

Did not attend preliminary hearing

Last week I did not attend nor did I have an attorney appear of record for a preliminary hearing. I am charged of a serious misdemeanor for simple possession of marijuana (0.37 grams), first offense. I am a college student and currently do not have a lawyer. What are the next steps I should take in order to have this charge dismissed?


Asked on 3/25/09, 2:01 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

Re: Did not attend preliminary hearing

Most often you do not get a preliminary hearing because the county attorney has by that time filed a trial information.

I think you need to think about a few things. First, did you do it and were you caught? If that's the case the only thing left is hoping the police screwed up, and they usually don't. Unless that's the case, hoping for a dismissal is wishful thinking.

What you probably need to think about is hiring a competent attorney to represent your interests.

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Answered on 3/25/09, 4:21 pm


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