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Michael Arleth

Criminal defense Attorney at Des Moines, IA

4.4   7 reviews
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  • Licensed for 8 years
    State IA
    Acquired 2015
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Very informative and excellent communication!
Jeremy
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Divorce with Property Division
Heather
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Read more reviews

About Michael

Learn Michael’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. Criminal defense
    40%
    When you’ve been accused of a crime, it can feel like the whole world is against you. I can bring things back into perspective.

    6 years, 15 cases

  2. DUI and DWI
    30%
    Have you been charged with OWI? I can help you get the best possible result.

    6 years, 8 cases

  3. Estate planning
    14%

    6 years, 6 cases

  4. Divorce and separation
    10%

    8 years, 5 cases

  5. Family
    5%
    I handle marriages dissolution, child support and custody, and protective orders.

    8 years, 2 cases

  6. Business
    1%
    As part of my estate planning process. I have developed many different tools to help you transfer your business to the right people at your death. Call today for peace of mind.

    6 years, 1 case

I’ve created a client centered practice in which I’m easily accessible for each and every client. My unique
approach includes using a secure online portal with a commitment to communicating with clients when
it works best for them. It’s important to me that you know exactly how everything works prior to hiring
me so we’ll discuss the full process in advance. I’m also dedicated to respecting all of my clients,
including court-appointed clients.


I offer pro bono services and have been recognized twice by the Iowa Supreme Court in pro bono cases.
I’m also committed to going above and beyond to researching non-legal issues when it’s appropriate.

Photos and videos

Photos and videos

Contact Michael

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Arleth Law
309 Court Ave. Suite 803
Des Moines, IA, 50309
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Reviews

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4.4 / 5.0
  7 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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14%
Posted by Jeremy | February 2, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Very informative and excellent communication!
Mr. Arleth has been helping with my case for approximately 6 months now. From our first interaction, I could tell that he was not like some of the other lawyers that I had spoken to in the past. He was very informative about how we would go about dealing with certain issues. Throughout the time that he has been working with me, I can say without a doubt that communication is very important to him. He has taken the time to explain to me critical things that I never knew regarding my case, things that other lawyers I had spoken to never mentioned. We keep in constant communication as he touches base with me every couple of weeks and takes time to research and answer any questions I have. He has never left me in in the dark or hanging, as his response time is great. In short, I would recommend Mr. Arleth to everyone that may be needing help in Family Law. Absolutely amazing and couldn’t ask for better.
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Posted by Heather | February 1, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Divorce with Property Division
My lawyer helped me with a divorce with property division. It was affordable, timely, a organized.
Posted by Leeanna | May 24, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Family Matters
Although it was not a typical case for Mr. Arleth to take on. He handled my divorce with children for the past year, to the best of his ability. He was very reassuring, confident in his work, empathetic to my situation and readily available when needed for questions or meetings. Mr. Arleth kept me informed of everything that was to take place and anything else I was worried about during the process. Made this divorce very easy on not only myself, but my 3 kids as well. I would definitely recommend his services to others.
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Posted by Richard | September 20, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Hired via coiurt appointment
First met Mr. Arleth back in April of this year and consulted with him to represent me in an OWI offense back in October of last year. Mike was very patient in hearing what I had to say and gave me hope with possible outcomes. He presented numerous proposals in my case to the County Attorney but was met with a good deal of opposition. Mike represented me in all court appearances and one in which I could not attend due to illness, definitely not helpful to my case or to his work as my attorney. I was hospitalized during this time and Mike came to see me at the hospital on three occasions which I did not expect. Through out all of his work with me he was always kind, respectful and offered hope. I could not have asked more from Mike and would recommend his services to others.
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Posted by Blake | February 17, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Nothing but great
Micheal was appointed to me by the state, and I was aprehencive I would get a lawyer that didn't care. He dropped my 2nd OWI down to a first offence, and helped to have other fines dropped. Micheal is always easy to contact, and consult. He explained everything to me very well. He will go out of his way to help someone. He even visited me in jail to make sure I was okay. (I was there for 2 days). He has ones best interests at heart.
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Posted by Deanna | July 14, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great Job
Michael has helped me a great deal, we had a situation that he has never done & I had no clue what to do. My grandson was 5 1/2 weeks old and both his parents were murdered. They didn't get the fathers name on his Birth Certificate before they were killed so Michael helped me get that done as it was very important for his fathers name to be on his birth certificate . It was a long & slow process but Michael got it done and he talked to me like a person so I could understand what he meant legally. I would very highly recommend him to Anyone looking for a lawyer..
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Response from Michael Arleth February 14, 2018
Deanna, it was an honor to help you. I couldn’t and still can’t imagine how difficult it was for you deal with your daughter’s murder and having to step in and raise her child.
Posted by Sara | October 9, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Poor communication
Months without replies. I asked to cancel my divorce may 17th. He did nothing. Asked again June 20th. He sent me a document to sign to confirm. July 14th asked if I would get a refund from trust account. July 15th he replied yes and that he still needed to file the dismissal. July 21st signed the same document for a second time. Asked why I had to sign again. No reply. September 20th asked again about refund of trust account. No reply. I have to tell him mine and my husband's address and dob multiple times and he got them wrong everytime. I have no faith in him following through correctly.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 30 minutes
  • Hourly Rates $ 100-200 per hour
  • Pro bono 5 %
  • Retainer Sometimes
Payment methods
Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 7.2 (Very Good)

Work Experience

  • Attorney
  • Arleth Law
  • 2015 - Present

Education

  • University of Iowa College of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 2013
  • University of St. Thomas
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 2008

Legal Cases

  • Bruce v. Maxwell-Bruce
  • Divorce decree

Associations

  • Iowa Trust Association
  • 2017 - Present
  • Iowa State Bar Association
  • 2015 - Present
  • Blackstone American Inn of Court
  • Associate
  • 2015 - Present
  • Polk County Bar Association
  • Volunteer Attorney
  • 2015 - Present
  • Association of Certified EDiscovery Specialists
  • 2015 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Pro Bono Honor Roll
  • Iowa State Bar Association
  • 2017
  • Pro Bono Honor Roll
  • Iowa State Bar Association
  • 2016

Speaking Engagements

  • April 2016 Meeting
  • Using your budget to plan your ediscovery project.
  • 2016

Attorney endorsements

Received (1)
Given (2)
Endorse Michael
Alexander David Smith headshot
Alexander Smith
Unknown Attorney | Sep 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
John E. Hardy headshot
John Hardy
DUI and DWI
Brett Joseph Beattie headshot
Brett Beattie
Personal injury
Des Moines Criminal defense Lawyer Michael Arleth
Michael Arleth
Criminal defense Attorney
Des Moines, IA
Licensed for 8 years
Free Consultation
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