Colin Christopher Murphy
PRO

Colin Christopher Murphy's Legal Cases (183)

West Des Moines, IA

Drug Crime Lawyer at West Des Moines, IA

Practice Areas: Drug Crime, DUI & DWI

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Drug Crime

State v. S.O., Iowa District Court for Cerro Gordo County No. SRCR030789

Jan 26, 2022

OUTCOME: Drug Charges Dismissed

On January 26, 2022 the district court granted Defendant's motion to dismiss the charge of possession of marijuana for edibles containing THC and CBD that were purchased in Defendant's home state with ... a valid medical marijuana card. We filed a notice of defense of reciprocity and argued that dismissal was the appropriate remedy under chapter 124E considering that the out-of-state medical card provided essentially a complete defense to the charge. The matter was dismissed at costs to the state.

DUI and DWI

State v. A.W., Iowa District Court for Ida County No. OWCR007949

Jan 05, 2022

OUTCOME: OWI Charge Amended to Public Intoxication and Reckless Driving with No Jail

The drunk driving lawyers at GRL Law successfully negotiated yet another resolution to preserve a client’s CDL. After winning the DOT and suppression hearings, we leveraged those results by convincing ... the county attorney to amend the OWI to public intoxication and reckless driving with no jail time. The DOT would have disqualified the client’s CDL had he pleaded guilty as charged even though we prevented the implied consent revocation from taking effect. Our negotiation saved his commercial driving privileges after we won the DOT hearing. A shout out to the prosecutor who was willing to reevaluate the charge in light of our efforts with the DOT and district court.

Drug Crime

State v. A.M., Iowa District Court for Cerro Gordo County No. SMSM041077

Dec 20, 2021

OUTCOME: Drug Paraphernalia Charges Dismissed

On December 20, 2021 the district court dismissed the charge of drug paraphernalia upon our motion to dismiss. The paraphernalia was used to consume out-of-state medical marijuana. We established the ... re was no evidence that the cannabis was consumed in Iowa, which was important because Iowa's medical cannabidiol law allows vaporization, but not smokable cannabis. Also, under the state's drug paraphernalia law, this equipment was not being used to ingest a controlled substance. This might be the first ruling of its kind in the state dealing with pipes and medical marijuana.

Drug Crime

State v. A.M., Iowa District Court for Cerro Gordo County No. SRCR030578

Dec 20, 2021

OUTCOME: Drug Charges Dismissed

On December 12, 2021 the district court granted Defendant's motion to dismiss the charge of possession of marijuana for raw cannabis flower that was purchased in Defendant's home state with a valid med ... ical marijuana card. We filed a notice of defense of reciprocity and argued that dismissal was the appropriate remedy under chapter 124E considering that the out-of-state medical card provided essentially a complete defense to the charge. The matter was dismissed at costs to the state.

Speeding and traffic ticket

State v. M.G., Iowa District Court for Cedar County No. STA0051344

Sep 30, 2021

OUTCOME: CDL Charge Dismissed

The State cited our client for using a smart phone while driving a commercial motor vehicle. We were prepared to defend the case on the merits when the county attorney realized our client was not usin ... g the phone for communication or texting but rather the GPS app. The State moved to dismiss the day before trial. No objection! That’s a NFG.

Speeding and traffic ticket

State v. D.S., Iowa District Court for Worth County No. STA0032133

Sep 14, 2021

OUTCOME: CDL Charge Dismissed

The State cited our client for a log book violation discovered during a weigh scale inspection. We defended the case on the merits, but also raised challenges to the DOT officer’s notarization of the ... complaint at the close of the state’s case. The trial court just issued a ruling on our motion for judgment of acquittal two months after trial. Good things come to those who wait! The court dismissed the citation because of an improper notarization. That’s a NFG.

Speeding and traffic ticket

State v. N.B., Iowa District Court for Cass County No. STA0043968

Sep 09, 2021

OUTCOME: CDL Charge Dismissed

The State cited our client for driving an unsafe vehicle after the trailer detached from his rig while on the highway. The evidence showed the kingpin likely failed after the driver’s last inspection. ... We defended the case on the merits, but also raised challenges to the citation process and notarization at the close of the state’s case. The trial court finally issued a ruling on our motion for judgment of acquittal. It was certainly worth the six-month wait! The court dismissed the citation because of a lack of compliance with Iowa Code section 805.6 with costs assessed to the State. That’s another NFG for a commercial driver.

Drug Crime

State v. L.D., Iowa District Court for Woodbury County No. SRCR112268

Sep 01, 2021

OUTCOME: Drug Charges Dismissed

GRL Law successfully argued for the dismissal of drug charges following a traffic stop in western Iowa. The State charged our client initially with marijuana possession. Multiple other felony charg ... es were likely once the DCI Lab tested other substances seized by police. There was one problem. Probable cause to search requires an objective alert by a reliable and well-trained K9. Although law enforcement deployed a drug K9 on the vehicle, the dog never alerted to the presence of contraband. It merely showed interest without ever sitting. After reviewing the case, the county attorney decided to dismiss the pending possession charge at the State’s cost. No other charges will be filed. A tip of the hat for the prosecutor’s discretion. GRL Law defends drug possession charges across the state. If you or a family member need experienced drug defense attorneys, then look no further.

Speeding and traffic ticket

State v. C.D., Worth County No. STA0032549

Aug 26, 2021

OUTCOME: CDL Charges Dismissed

GRL Law secures yet another dismissal for a CDL driver. DOT enforcement stopped our client for driving past an open scale. The officer conducted a Level I inspection and ultimately cited her for m ... ultiple violations. Plea negotiations ended abruptly when the officer refused to cut any slack. So we tried all four charges to the magistrate. The officer admitted on cross-examination that he was never placed under oath when the citations were “notarized.” The Iowa Constitution requires that all cases be tried on information under oath. A constitutional violation, you say? The court had no choice but to dismiss all four citations under the circumstances. Do you think the officer regrets that decision? You bet. N . . . F . . . G!

Speeding and traffic ticket

State v. M.C., Iowa District Court for Cerro Gordo County No. STA0133565

Aug 10, 2021

OUTCOME: CDL Charge Dismissed

On August 10, 2021, the magistrate court granted the State's motion to dismiss the charge of speeding against our client, an out-of-state CDL holder. During a recent CMV speeding interdiction program ... on Interstate 35, an Iowa State Patrol pilot locked in our driver's speed at 78 mph from the air.  The posted speed limit was 70 mph. On cross-examination, we established the 400 foot metal tape used by the patrol to measure quarter-mile markings on the interstate was not traceable to NIST.  As a result, there was measurement uncertainty not accounted for in the speed calculation. More importantly, however, we also proved that the citation was not properly notarized. The Iowa Constitution requires that all cases be tried on information under oath.  The State saw the writing on the wall and asked the court to dismiss the charge at the State's cost. That's a NFG for our client.

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