Notable Cases

Farnsworth Law PLC

Felony OWI Dismissed

Johnson OWCR140904

Attorney Thomas Farnsworth represented a client accused of operating a vehicle while intoxicated due to drugged driving. His client underwent a drug recognition examination and provided a urine sample, which tested positive for amphetamines. However, after consultation Mr. Farnsworth believed the amphetamines may have legally been in his client's system as they were prescribed as Adderall.


Under Iowa law, an affirmative defense, commonly known as the "prescription drug defense," applies in such cases. Mr. Farnsworth located a peer-reviewed research paper and obtained a letter from his client's treating physician, both supporting this defense. The skilled prosecutor agreed that this evidence substantiated the affirmative defense, resulting in a dismissal of the case. While this resolution took nine months to reach the outcome allowed Mr. Farnsworth’s client to avoid trial and a potential six-year bar on her license.

Operating While Intoxicated Reduced to Public Intoxication

Jones OWCR005947

Attorney Thomas Farnsworth's client received an Operating While Intoxicated, a serious misdemeanor. After reviewing the videos and plea negotiations with the State, Mr. Farnsworth filed a Motion in Limine and was able to throw out the breath test evidence. The OWI charge was reduced to a Public Intoxication and the client's license was rescinded. A Public Intoxication is a simple misdemeanor and may be expunged from his client's record in two years.

Breath Test Evidence Suppressed

Johnson - OWCR107300

Attorney Thomas Farnsworth's client received an Operating While Intoxicated, a serious misdemeanor. After reviewing the videos, Mr. Farnsworth filed a Motion in Limine and was able to throw out the breath test evidence. The client was eligible for a deferred judgment and her record will be expunged. She also received a license revocation for only 90 days instead of 180.

Breath Test Refusal Removed

Linn - OWCR110162

Attorney Thomas Farnsworth's client received a charge of Operating While Intoxicated after allegedly refusing to provide a breath sample. Thomas filed a Motion in Liminie getting the breath test refusal removed, making his client eligible for a deferred judgment and expunging her record. His client was also able to reinstate her license in 90 days instead of waiting for one year.

Operating While Intoxicated Reduced to Public Intoxication

Johnson - OWCR105392

Attorney Thomas Farnsworth's client received a charge of Operating While Intoxicated. After arguing his client's rights were violated when the arresting officer coerced his client into consenting to the Datamaster test and depriving him of his right to an independent test, Thomas was able to negotiate with the State and reduced the charge to a Public Intoxication. A Public Intoxication is a simple misdemeanor, which may be expunged after two years.

Assault on Peace Officers

(Serious Misdemeanor) 

Johnson - SRCR105465

Attorney Thomas Farnsworth's client received a charge of Assault on Peace Officers. After negotiating with the State, Mr. Farnsworth was able to get the charge dismissed and his client pled to two related simple misdemeanors for a deferred judgment. After completing the terms of her deferred judgment, his client's record was expunged.

Operating While Intoxicated 2nd Offense (Aggravated Misdemeanor) Reduced to Public Intoxication (Simple Misdemeanor)

Linn - OWCR107663

Attorney Thomas Farnsworth's client received a charge of Operating While Intoxicated-2nd offense. After arguing that his client's 804.20 rights were not followed, Mr. Farnsworth was able to get the charge reduced to a Public Intoxication.

Unlawful Passing of School Bus Reduced

Johnson County - NTA0138260

Attorney Thomas Farnsworth's client received an Unlawful Passing of School Bus ticket, a serious moving violation. If convicted, his client could lose their license for 30 days. After negotiations with the State, Mr. Farnsworth reduced the charge to Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device and his client did not lose their license.

Possession of Marijuana Dismissed

Linn County Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Paraphernalia

Attorney Thomas Farnsworth challenged the prosecution due to the State's failure to file charges in a timely manner as described by the Iowa Rules of Criminal Procedure. All charges against his client were dismissed.

FECR006069

Attorney Thomas Farnsworth's client was charged with two counts of felony drug violations. After depositions with arresting officers and reviewing the videos in the case, Mr. Farnsworth was able to reduce the felony charges for his client.

Johnson County -

OWCR102893

Attorney Thomas Farnsworth's client was charged with an OWI 3rd offense (felony). After plea negotiations with the State, Mr. Farnsworth had the charges reduced to OWI 2nd offense, and his client avoided felony charges.

OWI 3rd Offense Reduced to OWI 2nd Offense

Johnson County - OWCR102893

Attorney Thomas Farnsworth's client was charged with an OWI 3rd offense, a felony. After negotiations with the State, Mr. Farnsworth was able to reduce the charge to an OWI 2nd offense, and his client avoided felony charges.

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