What do I do in this matter? Is the child endangerment charge going to stick or he challenged?
I’m in Des Moines County, Iowa. I was arrested in November 2025 for OWI and child endangerment. The incident happened right next to my house — I parked near a stop sign by the school, a school staff member yelled that I couldn’t park there, and when I went to move my car into my own driveway, I accidentally struck another car. I was arrested in my driveway. My child was in the car only because I was moving the vehicle the short distance home.
My DOT record now shows my license revoked until 11/25/26 with IID and SR-22 requirements. I already filed a request for an implied consent hearing, but the DOT updated my status before a decision. My current attorney has not communicated well, so I am considering finding a new one.
My questions:
1. Can the DOT revocation still be challenged after it has been posted?
2. Should I install an IID now or wait for the hearing outcome?
3. Are these revocation dates normal for OWI + child endangerment?
4. If I change attorneys, what steps should the new attorney take immediately
You have 10 days from the date of a test failure or refusal to request an appeal to challenge the revocation of your driving privileges. The online record with the DOT may show a revocation, but if your appeal was timely, then the DOT will issue a stay of the revocation so that you can drive pending the decision on appeal. You'll want to keep that stay notice along with the 10-day temporary license as these documents are your permission to drive in Iowa. You do not need to install an ignition interlock device (IID) while you are waiting for an appeal. That is part of the temporary restricted license (TRL). Now, if your appeal was not timely, then you would not be able to drive without a valid TRL. That requires an application to the DOT, $200 and proof of SR22 insurance on file and proof of installation of an IID. The revocation is only related to the OWI. It has nothing to due with the endangerment charge. Most OWI attorneys will represent you on both the criminal and administrative sides of the case. That would involve gathering all body camera, dash camera and jail camera footage in advance of the DOT hearing because you have the burden of proof there.
