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Iowa Juvenile Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Iowa on
Q: Are there any legal consequences if me 17M and my girlfriend 22F, have a kid?

I’m turning 18 early July. I’m asking as if she got pregnant now.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

If your girlfriend were to become pregnant while you are still 17 and she is 22, there could be potential legal consequences depending on the laws in your jurisdiction. In many places, the age of consent for sexual activity is 18, so if you engaged in sexual relations before reaching that age, it... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Juvenile Law and Legal Malpractice for Iowa on
Q: How do I find a lawyer pro bono that will fight against dhs for my family and reunification. The laws are being broken!!

My boys were wrongfully removed... We got evicted and they were removed 2 months later! In November it will be a year this case open and we have tried to fight them and show them the proof that placement is lying and abusing our children! My babies want to come home.. my husband has done... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 6, 2023

Most pro bono legal services are provided through local legal aid clinics. These clinics have the training and resources to screen potential clients for indigency and to complete the necessary paperwork for those clients to proceed in court in forms pauperis. Many legal aid clinics handle cases... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Iowa on
Q: Who do I contact when dhs boys town and the gal won't do anything about my son being touched by the foster care family.
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 6, 2023

If you suspect that your son has experienced abuse or inappropriate conduct while in foster care, it's crucial to act swiftly and decisively. Begin by reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities, such as your local law enforcement agency or the Iowa Department of Human Services... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights, Internet Law and Juvenile Law for Iowa on
Q: I'm on probation an I got my first violation for taking NyQuil my test came back positive for alcohol what will they do

What will what happen to me

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 28, 2023

The Nyquil defense rarely works. This article explains why: https://michigancriminaldefenseattorneys.org/nyquil-as-an-alcohol-test-defense/

The quantity of Nyquil taken for a cold is just too small by itself to cause an alcohol test to come back positive.

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Iowa on
Q: Can a 17 and 20 year old date?

I live in Iowa, I’m a 17 year old female and want to date and possibly have sexual relations with a 20 year old male. is this legal?

Gabriel A Watson
Gabriel A Watson
answered on Apr 28, 2020

The Age of Consent in Iowa is 16 years old.

In the United States law, the term "Age of Consent" describes the age at which an individual, male or female, is considered legally of age to consent to participation in sexual activity. This means that individuals less than...
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1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law and Sexual Harassment for Iowa on
Q: Is it illegal for an adult to discuss sexual topics with a minor. (Not about doing things. Just the topic its self)

Like say an adult were to discuss a kink for example with a 17 year old. Just a simple topic or discussion. There is no hint of actually wanting to preform such acts one said 17 year old.

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Aug 8, 2019

IMO you should forget trying to find out if you can "discuss sexual topics with a minor." Why? Because you are treading into a very dangerous area where most intelligent adults on this side of prison bars do not intentionally go.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Health Care Law, Juvenile Law and Military Law for Iowa on
Q: 14yo boy steals military explosives and tells therapist in Iowa. Does therapist tell? What's her duty?

This is a question for a test (not real life)

Peter D. Mlynek
Peter D. Mlynek
answered on Jul 19, 2019

This is a classic test question that has to do with the balance of privacy of patients vs the protection of property/health/life.

To answer this question, see Tarasoff. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarasoff_v._Regents_of_the_University_of_California .

I think that the therapist...
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1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Iowa on
Q: I am a 17 year old in the state of Iowa. 18 in March. If I ran away would I be forced to come home?

I dropped out of school to work three to two jobs when my mom got sick. Back to a good full time job with $350 a week. Her boyfriend molested me and there wasn't enough evidence to arrest him so he moved back in and I moved out with my grandma. But she is just like my mom. My friends family... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 4, 2017

You'd better stick with Grandma until you are 18. You may not like Grandma, but so long as her house is safe, secure, warm, you have bed and there is food on the table - do your chores, go to work and re-enroll in school. Dropping out of school is never a wise decision. You have your entire... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Iowa on
Q: I just turned 17 and my father is constantly threatening to kick me out and its happend before. what are my options?
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 4, 2017

Legally none. At least not as you've described the situation. Practically you could try doing what he says. After all isn't he paying the bills.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Iowa on
Q: My son is 15 and punched a kid in face for calling his friend the N word. Cop charged him with serious assault. what now

Cop brought my kid home said he was honest so he's not taking him to J.D. N citeing him for simple assault cause kid had bump above his eye. . 20 min later cop came back n said he made mistake n has to take him to station and charge him with serious assault. With him being athletic and... View More

Nicholas A. Sarcone
Nicholas A. Sarcone
answered on Feb 21, 2017

The case will likely be referred to juvenile court services. Juvenile court services has a number of options to keep him out of court or they can refer him to court for prosecution. You need to hire a lawyer and go over all the various possibilities and prepare yourself for the Juvenile Court... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking and Juvenile Law for Iowa on
Q: I live in Iowa and just turned 18. I have a minor bank acct. My dad won't sign over my money that I earned.

I was told that once I turned 18 I could get into my money. My dad is refusing to sign the paper as he's the custodial owner of the account. What can I do?

Brian Lehman
Brian Lehman
answered on Jan 30, 2017

There are two issues here: (1) who owns the money, and (2) how do you get it. The money belongs to the child who is now an adult. "Under terms of a state's Uniform Gift to Minors Act or Uniform Transfer to Minors Act, a custodian controls these accounts while the child is a minor. But... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law and Criminal Law for Iowa on
Q: I'm 18 and she is turning 17 can she move in with me at my parents house
Nicholas A. Sarcone
Nicholas A. Sarcone
answered on Feb 18, 2017

The answer to your specific question is yes, she can move in with you. The underlying question might be can the two of you engage in sexual activity, legally? The answer is also yes. Iowa Code Section 709.4 (sexual abuse) does not make it a crime for persons of your age to engage in sexual... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Iowa on
Q: My son is 16 n charged with 2nd degree burglary for kicking in a door while the family was asleep.

He did not enter the home. Is this still burglary??

Nicholas A. Sarcone
Nicholas A. Sarcone
answered on Feb 18, 2017

This is a good question which does not necessarily lend itself to an easy answer. I would make the legal argument that he did not enter and therefore could not have committed a burglary. However, if his body crossed the plane of the door while breaking it, a Court may deem that sufficient for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Communications Law and Juvenile Law for Iowa on
Q: If I am 16 and want to hangout with a guy that is 4 years and 8 months older than me can my parents call the cops on him

Can he go to jail for talking to me when I'm 16 and he's 20

Nicholas Hay
Nicholas Hay
answered on Aug 12, 2016

Not likely, as long as you two are not doing anything illegal including him having you out past a city or town curfew, and your parents tell you that you can't leave the house but you do to go hang out with him, it is unlikely he gets arrested for you two simply being in the same vicinity of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Iowa on
Q: Is it legal for a 15 year old boy to have sex with a 13 year old girl with her consent in Iowa?

What charges could be pressed against me or her if it is illegal?

Nicholas A. Sarcone
Nicholas A. Sarcone
answered on Feb 23, 2017

No. Sexual Abuse.

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law, Education Law and Personal Injury for Iowa on
Q: Can a school official grab the hood of your childs coat and throw them down to the ground causing a head injury?
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Nov 5, 2016

They can, but should they, probably not. Of course children seldom tell the entire story or accurately. I would not charge head-strong into the school planning on attacking the teacher. Instead I would suggest asking for a meeting to discuss the situation. I would listen with an open mind,... View More

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