FAQs
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1. The subject line of the Adobe.com email will say something similar to “Beverly Wild is requesting your signature(s).” If you have not received this email by the time you are reading this, you should check your spam folder for it. That email contains the link to where you start the digital signature process.
2. If the screen remains grey and you are not allowed to apply your signature – scroll on your screen to see if you find a button to “start” or “accept terms”.
3. If you have never used Adobe before, you may be required to create your digital signature.
4. For the most part, each blank will require a signature or initial. The only time you should leave a signature or initial space “blank” is if that section contains an “either/or” sort of option. For instance, “you are able to dance – yes or no” you would select either yes or no - not both.
5. If there is not an alternate option, the purpose of your signature/initial is to demonstrate that you have both read and understood that particular paragraph or section. If you fail to insert a signature or initial in that section, your plea may be rejected, and the State could possible revoke the plea offer.
6. When you believe that you have completed all the sections, you will be given an option to “finalize” or “done” – you must click this to go on to the next step. The next step is that Adobe.com will send the document back to my office for my review and digital signature.
7. When your attorney applies their digital signature and finalize, you will receive an email back with a document which bears both signatures. Once you have received that, it is likely that you will be excused from your upcoming court appearance. However, check with your attorneu to determine whether you should be present regardless.
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If you have a court date, unless specifically directed otherwise, you should make plans to attend.
If you do not attend a court date, a warrant may issue for your arrest.
If your contact information changes for any reason, please notify your attorney so you get all cout orders. If we do not know where you are we cannot get documentation to you.
If you are not sure about your court date, you can search for your case at Iowa Courts Online or you can call our office.
Certain court dates only require documents to be filed. However, before we can excuse you, we must verify that your documents are received and completed.
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• Be on time, arrive 15 minutes early
• Dress neatly – t shirts with offensive words or pictures should not be worn
• Hats should be removed
• Turn off cell phones
• Do not swear
• Wait patiently and quietly until the hearing starts
• Do not eat, drink or chew gum in court
• Listen to what others have to say
• Show respect to the other people who are attending the hearing
• Stand up with the judge enters the room
• Call the judge “Your Honor”
• Quietly ask questions to your lawyer, if necessary
• Only speak in the courtroom when asked to do so by the judge or your lawyer
• Set up transportation if necessary
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• Get the instructions to call/log in early.
• Try to download any application necessary before the time of the hearing.
• Begin your log in process at least 5 minutes early.
• A hearing might already be occurring, so mute yourself and remain quite until your case is discussed.
• Before logging in, if possible, make sure you are in a quiet place.
• When you log in, enter your name – preferably first and last.
• Locate the volume and mute buttons first.
• Unmute when you are spoken to – and re-mute when done speaking.
o Note that, during testimony, you can simply leave your microphone open.
• If you are on video, be aware that everyone can see everything around you.
• Treat the interaction with the same respect as you would being inside a courtroom
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A substance abuse evaluation is an assessment that is used to determine if an individual may need assistance to limit or eliminate the use of mind-altering substances. You can get such an evaluation at any accredited location. Some locations include:
ADAIR COUNTY
134 S. Court Dr
P.O. Box 255
Greenfield, IA 50849
641-743-2439
Residential Services
3086 Zion Lane
Orient, IA 50858-8104
Phone: 641-337-5385
Fax: 641-337-5410
E-mail: zion@iowatelecom.net
AUDUBON COUNTY
413 Tracy Street
P.O. Box 241
Audubon, IA 50025
Phone: 712-792-1344
Phone: 712-792-9266
Toll Free: 800-810-6244
BOONE COUNTY
1332 S. Marshall St.
Boone, IA
Phone: 515-433-0369
Toll Free: (866) 801-0085
105 South Marshall Street
Boone, IA 50036
P: 515.433.2091
F: 515.433.6019
CARROLL COUNTY
Manning Family Recovery Center
410 Main St.
Manning, IA 51455
Phone: 712-655-2072
23751 Hwy 30 East
P.O. Box 427
Carroll, IA 51401
Phone: 712-792-1344
Phone: 712-792-9266
Toll Free: 800-810-6244
Fax: 712-792-1457
Walk-ins: Every Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
CASS COUNTY
601 Walnut Street, Suite 1, Box 304
Atlantic, IA 50022
Phone: 712-243-5091
877-667-5535
Fax: 712-243-1337
E-mail: zion@metc.net
GREENE COUNTY
1000 West Lincolnway
P.O. Box 386
Jefferson, IA 50129
Phone: 712-792-1344
Phone: 712-792-9266
Toll Free: 800-810-6244
GUTHRIE COUNTY
By Appt.
Stuart, IA 50250
Phone: 712-249-1110
justinwilliams@hoperecovercenter.org
411 State Street
P.O. Box 22
Guthrie Center, IA 50115
Phone: 712-792-1344
Phone: 712-792-9266
Toll Free: 800-810-6244
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Box 644
403 East Coolbaugh
Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone/Fax: 712-623-4801
PAGE COUNTY
Box 462
218 North 16th Street
Clarinda, IA 51632
Phone/Fax: 712-542-4481
815 Thomas Street, Suite 3
Shenandoah, IA 51601
Phone/Fax: 712-246-4832
SAC COUNTY
116 South State Street
P.O. Box 329
Sac City, IA 50583
Phone: 712-792-1344
Phone: 712-792-9266
Toll Free: 800-810-6244
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A preliminary hearing is when the State has an obligation to present sufficient evidence to the District Court to continue with the prosecution of a defendant. A preliminary hearing is cancelled, by operation of law, when a Trial Information is filed in the case.
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An initial appearance is when a defendant is brought before the magistrate for the first time. The defendant will be informed of important rights including the right to an attorney, the range of punishment for a crime charged and will typically plead “not guilty” at that time
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This is typically a proceeding that is handled in writing. A form is presented to the Defendant which, when signed and filed with the Court, informs the Court that the Defendant has been informed of the nature of the charges, certain rights – including the right to a speedy trial, and will typically enter a plea of Not Guilty to give your attorney the opportunity to review evidence to determine what defenses, if any, are supported by the facts and circumstances of your case.
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this is a discovery procedure where your attorney is allowed to interview/question the opposing party’s witnesses on the record. This is transcribed by a court reporter and, while generally formal, it is not something where a Judge is immediately present. Transcripts are produced where the parties can review and use those to hold witnesses accountable at Trial.
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this is an umbrella term which generally means information and evidence that the parties intend to rely upon to try and prove their case. This could include police reports, witness statements, reports to court, photographs, dash or body cam footage, lab reports, etc. This could also include written answers to questions (called Interrogatories).
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A Trial Information is a formal document filed by the State to describe the specific charges which have been lodged against a particular defendant.
The Trial information must be accompanied by a Minutes of Evidence document which much satisfy the District Court that there is sufficient evidence present to allow the State to proceed.
The filing of a Trial Information will cancel a preliminary hearing by operation of law.
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A CINA case is a Child in Need of Assisance case. This is a court case started by the State (typically by Iowa Health and Human Services that attempts to demonstrate that a child/family requires court-ordere oversight in order to be kept safe from imminent harm.
Imminent harm includes, but is not limiteu to: physical abuse, drug abuse by one or both parents, mental/emotional abuse, or a failure by a parent/caregiver to meet an essential need.
Typically, a CINA case is preceded by a Child Protective Assessment/investigation.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• You have the RIGHT to an attorney
• You have the RIGHT to request financial assistance to pay for an attorney.
• You have the RIGHT to an interpreter
• You have the RIGHT to voice your opinion
• You have the RIGHT to appeal within allowed time frames.
• It is your RESPONSIBILITY to provide information about your case to your attorney
• It is your RESPONSIBILITY to contact your attorney to preview court reports, new information, progress and recommendations several days before a hearing
• It is your RESPONSIBILITY to attend appointments, court dates and cooperate with, service providers, attorneys, and the Court
• It is your RESPONSIBILITY to display your best behavior and attitude before and during a court hearing
• It is your RESPONSIBILITY to dress appropriately for court hearings
• It is your RESPONSIBILITY to follow-through on court ordered services
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Minutes of Evidence are filed with the Trial Information. This is a document which is a summary of what a prosecutor believes a witness will testify to in a Tral
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First, is the issue that they are raising factually accurate (this is not asking if you agree with the reaction by the issue being raised but rather – is it factually accurate?)?
1. If factually accurate – is it something you can remedy in a fairly short amount of time? If the answer to this is “yes”, then you should do everything in your power to do what is necessary to fix the issue immediately. The faster you resolve the issue, the faster DHS will have no further reason to be in your life
2. If the issues are not factually accurate – get the correct information to your attorney immediately and, in the meantime, address any issue that is brought up about the safety and well-being of your children
Factual issues are something we can fight about. It is incredibly difficult to fight about disagreements over concepts. The question before the Court is whether or not there is a “harm” created be the facts presented. If there is not, we can talk. If the harm exists, then we have to find a different way to approach things.
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