Legal Question in Criminal Law in Iowa

I feel I need legal aid in an upcoming hearing to rescind a protection order. Because the case is criminal I can receive no assistance from pro bono organizations from a lawyer or even an advocate. I am the alleged victim, but can get only minimal assistance from the liason. It seems they'll only help if you're trying to get someone in trouble, not correct a misunderstanding. Since I am not the accused, I don't qualify for a public defender. I cannot afford a lawyer on my own. Oh, and the defendant's lawyer can't help me due to ethical reasons. Where can I turn to?

I do have good reason for wanting council. When meeting with the judge initially to put this into motion I was ridiculed, talked down to, and accused of being both a liar and a sufferer of " battered women's syndrome." Additionally, I was specifically instructed that I could not put the fact that this supposed assault never took place in my request form. Afterwards, I found out that that would have been the best thing I could have done as far as the defense is concerned. If this is any indication of how the actual hearing will go, I am seriously concerned.


Asked on 6/24/16, 4:59 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

I think you've exhausted all the resources I would have named. I can tell you that for the defendant's attorney to assist you would be impossible because of a conflict of interest. Perhaps the Iowa State Bar Association volunteer lawyer's project might be able to help.

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Answered on 6/24/16, 9:55 pm


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