OWI Attorneys in Iowa City & Davenport
Defending Eastern Iowa Since 1992: 53 Years of Combined Experience
An OWI charge in Iowa puts your driver’s license, your employment, and your criminal record at risk at the same time. Iowa uses the term OWI (operating while intoxicated), and these charges are governed by Iowa Code Section 321J.2. Whether you were pulled over near the University of Iowa campus or stopped on the bridge into Davenport, the consequences of a conviction are serious, and the window to act is short.
At Keegan, Tindal & Jaeger, our Iowa City and Davenport OWI defense lawyers have been defending clients across Eastern Iowa since 1992. With over 53 years of combined legal experience, we handle first, second, and third OWI offenses and work to protect your driving privileges and your record at every stage. Defense strategies can include challenging the legality of the traffic stop, scrutinizing the accuracy of field sobriety tests, and questioning breathalyzer results based on calibration and operation standards. Every case is different, and we build our approach around the specific facts of yours.
Don’t face OWI charges alone. Call our Iowa City OWI attorneys at (319) 499-5524 or contact us online for a free consultation.
OWI/DUI Defense
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Understanding OWI/DUIs in Iowa
Understanding the penalties tied to an OWI conviction is the first step toward making informed decisions about your defense. Our attorneys can walk you through the potential consequences, explain your rights and options at every stage, and develop a strategy tailored to the specific circumstances of your case.
Common OWI/DUI penalties in Iowa include:
- Driver’s license suspension or revocation
- Fines and court costs
- Possible jail time
- Mandatory substance abuse education or treatment programs
- Ignition interlock device installation
Iowa BAC Limits
Iowa’s standard BAC limit is .08% for drivers 21 and older. Commercial drivers face a stricter threshold of .04%, half the standard limit, meaning a charge can arise at BAC levels that would not trigger an OWI for a non-commercial driver. Drivers under 21 are subject to zero-tolerance standards: a BAC of .02% or higher can result in legal consequences. Iowa also prohibits driving while under the influence of drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol. Any detectable controlled substance in a driver’s blood or urine can support an OWI arrest.
Iowa imposes enhanced penalties when a driver’s BAC measures .15% or higher, including harsher sentencing, increased fines, longer license suspensions, and mandatory ignition interlock device installation beyond what applies to a standard OWI charge. Our attorneys review every aspect of the arrest and evidence collection to identify procedural missteps or discrepancies that can inform the defense.
Iowa imposes mandatory minimum sentences for OWI convictions, and the severity increases with each prior offense, which can elevate the charge to a felony OWI. A first-time defendant may be eligible for a deferred judgment, which allows them to avoid a permanent conviction by completing a probationary period. Iowa law limits deferred judgments to two per lifetime.
The penalties below represent the statutory maximums. If you’re charged with an OWI that resulted in vehicular homicide, the consequences are significantly higher. Our criminal defense attorneys work to minimize penalties and seek dismissal wherever the facts and evidence support it.
OWI/DUI Penalties in Iowa
1st DUI Penalties
- Up to one year in jail (with a mandatory minimum of 48 hours), a fine of up to $1,250, license revocation ranging from 180 days to one year, and an ignition interlock device until a temporary restricted license is obtained, if required.
2nd DUI Penalties
- Up to two years in jail (with a mandatory minimum of 7 days), a fine ranging from $1,875 to $6,250, license revocation for two years, and an ignition interlock device for one year.
3rd DUI Penalties
- Up to five years in jail (with a mandatory minimum of 30 days), a fine ranging from $3,125 to $9,375, license revocation for six years, and an ignition interlock device for one year.
Defenses to OWI/DUI in Iowa City & Davenport
Many people don’t fight their OWI charges because they assume the case is already decided. It isn’t. There are meaningful defenses available because there are meaningful opportunities for police to make mistakes and for equipment to malfunction. Contesting the validity of the traffic stop, challenging the reliability of breathalyzer results, and identifying procedural errors during the arrest can all change the direction of a case. The outcome of your case can follow you for years. Call Keegan, Tindal & Jaeger today for a free consultation.
We Examine Every Detail of Your Case
At Keegan, Tindal & Jaeger, we have successfully defended many drivers against OWI charges stemming from procedural mistakes or faulty BAC testing equipment. Attorney J. Dean Keegan has dedicated himself to understanding the science behind BAC testing and the other tools prosecutors rely on. His background as a former probation officer gives our firm direct working knowledge of how those tools are built and where they fail, knowledge many defense attorneys don’t have.
We examine the circumstances of your case to determine whether:
- Police had probable cause to stop your vehicle.
- You were read your rights.
- The field sobriety or breath test was properly administered.
- The BAC testing equipment was operated and maintained according to protocol.
- Any communication requests were denied.
Identifying deviations in the operation or calibration of testing equipment can render those results inadmissible and significantly weaken the prosecution’s case.
Field Sobriety Tests: What You Should Know
Iowa recognizes three standardized field sobriety tests: the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test, the walk-and-turn, and the one-leg stand. Law enforcement uses these to assess impairment, but each test has real limitations. Results can be skewed by medical conditions, nervousness, uneven road surfaces, or footwear, none of which indicate intoxication. Drivers in Iowa can legally decline field sobriety tests and the preliminary breath test. Both are voluntary.
Our Iowa City OWI attorneys represent clients charged with OWI in Iowa City, Davenport, Cedar Rapids, and the Quad Cities area. We explain your options clearly and build a defense strategy grounded in the specific facts of your situation.
Challenging DataMaster Breath Test Results
The DataMaster DMT is the only evidentiary breath test machine approved for use in Iowa, and several issues can render its results inadmissible. The operator must be certified, the machine must be certified and calibrated, test run results must be properly recorded, and the mouthpiece must be changed between tests. Even when all conditions are met, the DataMaster can be prone to error.
The machine functions as a calculator built on assumptions, and those assumptions are built to benefit the state, not the defendant. It can’t account for subtle individual differences in biomechanics. We know where those vulnerabilities are and how to use them.
Refusing the DataMaster is a different matter entirely. Under Iowa’s implied consent law, refusing the chemical test triggers an automatic license revocation, and that refusal can be introduced as evidence against you in court.
If you have questions about the validity of your traffic stop or the results of your breath test, call (319) 499-5524 to speak with an Iowa City and Davenport OWI lawyer.
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“Eric Tindal was the defense attorney on a serious case for someone I love. Throughout the case, Eric was a careful listener and a responsive communicator. But most importantly, he was HIGHLY effective in trial: personable with the jury, but savage when arguing his points. The other attorney he works with, Andrea, is extremely on point as well. The prosecutor gave up and asked for a deal halfway through the trial. The original charges had involved decades in prison. By the time Eric was done, that had melted away to months. Eric won him another chance at life with this trial. My loved one is a black man who has encountered a lot of racism within the criminal justice system in Iowa, and we were glad to find an attorney who acknowledged his concerns and who we felt confident would fight hard to ensure his right to a fair trial. Eric and Andrea more than delivered on this. Would recommend them to anyone.”- Nora H.
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“My name is Charles A. W. and I was represented by Andrea D. Jaeger of the law firm Keegan, Tindal, & Jaeger. And I must say that Andrea’s a very confident, charismatic woman in the courtroom. Her poise was always on point and she never wavered, any and everything that transpired in or out of the courtroom I was made aware of, promptly and professionally always. From the beginning of my indictment all the way until my sentencing, Andrea made me feel calm, comfortable, and most of all content!! Please keep up the great work, Andrea, and I’m very grateful as well as appreciative for you representing me. (Thank you very much.)”- Charles W.
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“I was stopped for an OWI. Dean took things as far as he could with the appeals process, finding every way possible to keep me driving in the meantime (which I needed to do for my job). Dean argued the reason for pulling me over was not substantial enough to justify a stop, and we eventually won. Though I certainly do not plan to have to use Dean's services again, I am glad he was there to get my head out of the guillotine when I needed him and keep my record clean. The office staff, Jasmine and Hayley, were also pleasant to work with.”- Ryan
Why Choose Keegan, Tindal & Jaeger for Your OWI Defense?
When you’re facing OWI charges in Iowa City or Davenport, local knowledge matters. We’ve been defending clients across Eastern Iowa since 1992, and our attorneys bring over 53 years of combined legal experience to every case. We know Iowa’s OWI laws and the specific dynamics of Johnson and Scott County courts, and we put that knowledge to work for every client we represent.
Here’s how our experience and local presence benefit your case:
- Local Insight That Shapes the Defense: We know the arrest procedures used by the Iowa City Police Department, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Davenport Police Department, and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office. We know the common stop locations, the protocols officers follow, and the specific challenges that arise in these courts, and we use that knowledge to build sharper defenses.
- Thorough Case Evaluation: We analyze every detail of your case, including police reports, evidence, and witness statements, with a clear understanding of how that evidence is weighed in Johnson and Scott County courts. That thoroughness can uncover errors in the prosecution’s case that a less familiar attorney might miss.
- Proven Results in Local Courts: We’ve successfully defended clients against OWI charges in Iowa City and Davenport through negotiation with local prosecutors and litigation in the Johnson County Courthouse and the Scott County Courthouse.
- CDL & Driving Privilege Defense: We take a particular interest in defending driving offenses, including CDL disqualification challenges and driver’s license sanction appeals. For clients whose livelihood depends on their driving privileges, we also work to reinstate those privileges and obtain work permits.
Contact Our Iowa City OWI Defense Firm Today
Call now to schedule a free initial consultation. We accept cash, check, and credit card payments.
Facing OWI charges in Iowa? Call (319) 499-5524 or contact us online to get started on your defense.
We Defend Clients from DUI Charges In:
- Cedar Rapids
- Davenport
- Quad City
- Scott County
- All of Eastern Iowa
Why Choose us?
Aggressive, Skillful & Experienced Defense
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Over 50 Years of Combined Experience In Criminal Defense with an Emphasis on OWI's
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Trial Attorneys With Successful Track Records In The Courtroom
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We Offer Free Consultations No Matter How Severe The Charge
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Our Attorneys Are Well-Respected Throughout Eastern Iowa