Arrested or charged in Des Moines? Read this first.
Top Criminal Defense & OWI Lawyers in Des Moines, IA
In Iowa, a drunk-driving charge is called an OWI, and even a first offense is a serious misdemeanor that can cost you your license. Whether you are facing OWI, drug, assault, or felony charges, the right Des Moines defense lawyer can change the outcome. These are the firms that handle these cases every day.
Updated May 22, 202613 min readEditorially independent
If you have been arrested or charged in the Des Moines area, the first 48 hours matter. Iowa moves quickly - especially on OWI, where the Iowa Department of Transportation can move to revoke your license administratively, on a separate track from the criminal case. A defense lawyer who knows Polk County's courts and prosecutors can protect your rights at the start, before mistakes get locked in.
Iowa uses the term OWI - Operating While Intoxicated - for what other states call DUI or DWI. A first OWI is generally a serious misdemeanor, and the penalties climb fast with each offense. Beyond OWI, the firms below handle drug charges, theft, assault and domestic assault, white-collar and federal cases, and post-conviction work like expungement and appeals. Several are led by former prosecutors who know how the other side builds a case.
Every firm on this list has a verifiable Des Moines-area criminal practice and appears in independent directories such as Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, or Martindale-Hubbell. Most offer a free or low-cost initial consultation. Use it to compare two or three lawyers before you decide - this is one of the most consequential hires you will ever make.
How we picked these 7: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Des Moines-area criminal defense practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Gourley, Rehkemper & Lindholm, PLC (GRL Law)
West Des Moines, IAOWI & criminal defense
Practice focus: OWI/DUI defense, criminal defense, appeals, license restoration
GRL Law is one of central Iowa's best-known OWI and criminal defense firms. Partner Robert Rehkemper has been named to Super Lawyers for over a decade and carries a 10.0 Avvo rating; the team includes Cory Gourley, Matthew Lindholm, Scott Michels, Grant Gangestad, and Colin Murphy. The firm handles OWI, serious felonies, and criminal appeals statewide from its West Des Moines office.
Why they made the list: Robert Rehkemper's long Super Lawyers recognition and the firm's deep OWI bench make it a standout for drunk-driving and serious criminal cases.
Practice focus: Serious felonies, homicide defense, white-collar, federal cases
Parrish Kruidenier is one of Iowa's most prominent litigation firms, with attorneys who have defended over 50 murder cases in the state. Founder Alfredo Parrish is nationally known, and the firm handles the full range of criminal matters alongside civil rights and appellate work from its central Des Moines office.
Why they made the list: A statewide reputation for the most serious cases, including homicide and federal defense, and perennial recognition among Iowa's leading firms.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, OWI, personal injury, employment
Dickey, Campbell & Sahag is a Des Moines trial firm that provides aggressive representation in criminal defense matters, from misdemeanors and OWI to serious felonies. The firm tries cases and is comfortable in both state and federal court.
Why they made the list: A dedicated Des Moines criminal trial practice with recognition in Iowa defense circles.
Practice focus: OWI/DUI, drug charges, federal offenses, violent crimes
Aaron Hamrock is a founder and partner at McCarthy & Hamrock, where he has spent close to fifteen years defending clients facing OWI, drug, federal, and violent-crime charges in the West Des Moines area. The firm focuses on criminal defense rather than spreading across unrelated practice areas.
Why they made the list: A focused criminal defense shop with a partner who has personally defended hundreds of cases.
Practice focus: OWI, traffic, assault, domestic assault, drug charges
Nicholas Sarcone has about eighteen years of experience handling the full range of criminal cases in the Des Moines area, from traffic tickets and public intoxication to OWI, drug charges, and assault. The practice is built around accessible, charge-specific defense.
Why they made the list: Nearly two decades of focused criminal and OWI defense with strong client reviews on Avvo and Justia.
Practice focus: OWI, federal charges, serious felonies, appeals
Stowers & Nelsen brings over 50 years of combined criminal defense experience to state and federal courts in Iowa. Dean Stowers has practiced criminal defense for more than 30 years and has represented thousands of clients; James Nelsen is certified in field sobriety testing, which matters in OWI defense.
Why they made the list: Decades of combined experience and genuine federal-court depth, with OWI-specific technical training.
Practice focus: Misdemeanors, felonies, OWI/DUI, assault, state and federal
Carr Law Firm represents people charged with misdemeanors and felonies throughout the Des Moines area and has built a solid reputation in Iowa's state and federal courts. The firm handles OWI and assault cases alongside more serious felony matters.
Why they made the list: A well-regarded local defense practice handling both state and federal criminal cases.
Tell us what you are charged with and we will match you with vetted Des Moines criminal defense attorneys. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Des Moines
Match the lawyer to the charge. An OWI specialist and a federal white-collar defender are different animals. Ask each firm how many cases like yours - same charge, same court - it has handled in the last year.
Ask about the license side of an OWI. In Iowa an OWI triggers a separate Department of Transportation revocation. A good OWI lawyer handles both the criminal case and the administrative license fight - confirm yours does.
Former prosecutors can be an asset. Several lawyers on this list, including at Stowers & Nelsen and McCarthy & Hamrock, have prosecution backgrounds. Knowing how the State builds a case can help your defense.
Get the fee structure in writing. Many criminal matters are flat-fee; serious felonies may be hourly. Ask what the fee covers, whether trial is included, and what happens if the case resolves early.
What criminal defense help typically costs in Des Moines
Des Moines criminal defense is usually priced by the seriousness of the charge:
Initial consultation. Free at every firm on this list.
First-offense OWI / misdemeanor. Commonly a flat fee of about $2,500 to $7,500, depending on whether it goes to trial.
Serious felony or federal case. Often hourly at roughly $250 to $400+, or a larger flat fee, because of the work involved.
Expungement / license restoration. Frequently a smaller flat fee, often a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars.
Cheaper is not safer when your record and freedom are on the line. Compare what each fee actually covers, not just the headline number.
How long it takes
How long a Des Moines case takes depends on the charge and whether it goes to trial:
Initial appearance and arraignment. Within days to a few weeks of arrest or charge.
OWI administrative license hearing. Must be requested quickly - often within about 10 days - on a separate track from the criminal case.
Pretrial and plea negotiations. Several weeks to a few months for most misdemeanors and many felonies.
Trial. Months out if the case does not resolve; serious felonies can take a year or more.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Des Moines
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many criminal defense matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Des Moines consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most criminal defense matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Criminal Defense attorney in Des Moines
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about criminal defense lawyers in Des Moines
What is the difference between OWI and DUI in Iowa?
They are the same thing. Iowa law uses the term OWI - Operating While Intoxicated - while many other states say DUI or DWI. A first OWI in Iowa is generally a serious misdemeanor.
Will I lose my license after an OWI arrest in Des Moines?
Possibly, and on a separate track from the criminal case. The Iowa Department of Transportation can revoke your license administratively, and you usually have a short window to request a hearing. This is why hiring an OWI lawyer fast matters.
Can a first-offense OWI be kept off my record?
Sometimes. Iowa allows deferred judgments in some circumstances, and outcomes depend on your facts, your record, and the prosecutor. A defense lawyer can tell you whether a deferral or reduction is realistic in your case.
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Des Moines?
A first-offense OWI or misdemeanor is commonly a flat fee in the $2,500 to $7,500 range. Serious felonies and federal cases cost more, often billed hourly. Every firm here offers a free consultation to quote your case.
Should I just use the public defender?
Public defenders are skilled but carry heavy caseloads. If you can afford private counsel, you typically get more time and attention. Either way, do not face a charge without a lawyer.
Do I have to testify at my own trial?
No. You have a constitutional right not to testify, and the jury cannot hold your silence against you. Whether testifying helps is a strategic decision you make with your lawyer.
What should I do right after an arrest?
Politely decline to answer substantive questions, ask for a lawyer, and do not discuss the case with anyone but your attorney. Then call a defense lawyer as soon as possible - especially on an OWI, where deadlines run fast.
Can my charges be expunged later?
Iowa allows expungement in certain situations, including some dismissed or deferred cases and, in limited circumstances, some convictions. Several firms on this list handle expungement; ask whether you qualify.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
Helpful next steps
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