Tomlinson Law Office

01/14/2023

After much thought and a difficult 2022, both personally and professionally, I have decided to not renew my law license for 2023 and beyond. I'm not sure how to close a page, but this is likely the final post from my law office. I'm still here to answer questions, but I will no longer be a lawyer and therefore I can't give legal advice.

09/30/2022

Put your skills to the test and solve four words at once! You have 9 guesses to solve all four words. A new Quordle available each day to solve.

08/30/2022

These are two examples of license plates that can authorize a legal traffic stop in the state of Iowa. You may not get stopped with plates like these, but if an officer is looking for a reason to stop you, these would give that reason.

First, the registration stickers are not properly placed. They are to cover the sticker from the previous year. I know, it's pretty. It's also illegal and can get you pulled over.

Second, the plate holder is covering the county name. Fine, support your team, but if it covers your county, it's illegal and can get you pulled over.

05/02/2022

Iowa Courts have ruled that a license plate obscured by a trailer hitch (or bicycle rack or wheel chair rack) is not reason enough for a traffic stop.

However, remember that license plate stickers improperly placed or license plate holders/plastic borders that hide the county name are still a reason that can be used for a traffic stop.

'The legislature is free to criminalize ball hitches. The judiciary is not,' wrote Judge Mary Tabor.

12/03/2021

In accordance to Public Law 103-308 President Biden issued a proclamation for the American flag to be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, December 7 in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

09/11/2021

I've kind of slacked off on getting out the notices for flying your flag at half staff. However, today is a day I won't forget. Flags at half staff to remember those who died in New York, Arlington at the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvania.

07/04/2021

If you are in the Des Moines area, this article tells you if you can set off fireworks in your community.

In Des Moines Proper, they are NEVER legal.

https://www.weareiowa.com/mobile/article/entertainment/events/central-iowa-independence-day-4th-of-july-fireworks-city-displays-events-parades-des-moines-metro/524-4d012cc3-5a43-4465-9e59-2ffb3b54c8cd

03/18/2021

President Biden has ordered all United States flags to half-staff immediately through March 22, 2021 to honor the victims of the tragedy in Atlanta.

02/22/2021

Just got this email, but it covers today. Half-staff through Friday night.

Also, first one ordered by President Biden.

In Honor of 500,000 Americans Lost to COVID-19

President Biden ordered the flag of the United States to half-staff from February 22-26, 2021 in honor of the 500,000 Americans lost to COVID-19.

Also, just a friendly reminder - (from Jeremy, not the people who sent me the notification) - if you don't have a light on your flag, it should be taken down every night.

01/11/2021

President Trump ordered U.S. flags be flown at half-staff January 10-13, 2021 to honor United States Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood.

Half staff today through Wednesday.

12/05/2020

In accordance to Public Law 103-308 President Trump issued a proclamation for the American flag to be flown at half-staff on Monday, December 7 in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

11/18/2020

Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, November 19, 2020, in honor and remembrance of Senator Roger Jepsen, who served in the U.S. Senate for Iowa from 1979 to 1985. He served as Iowa’s Lt. Governor prior to that. The former U.S. Senator will be remembered in a private service in Davenport on November 19th.

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.

Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flags at half-staff for the same length of time.