Polk County runs one of the busiest criminal court systems in Iowa. When a docket is that crowded, it’s easy for an individual case — and the person behind it — to get treated like a file number. Franz Becker is a former public defender who has represented thousands of clients, from complex cases to serious felonies, and he makes sure his clients are treated as people.
Criminal Cases in the Des Moines Metro
Most criminal cases in Des Moines are filed in the Iowa District Court for Polk County, part of Iowa’s Fifth Judicial District, and prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office. Arrests may come from the Des Moines Police Department, suburban departments like West Des Moines, Urbandale, Ankeny, and Johnston, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol, or state investigators. Cases from the western and southern suburbs may be filed in Dallas or Warren County.
In a high-volume system, early plea offers are common and can come with pressure to decide quickly. Before you accept any offer, you need someone who has reviewed the evidence and can tell you whether it’s actually a good deal.
Felony Defense
Iowa classifies felonies from Class D (up to five years in prison) to Class A (life in prison). Some offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences, and “forcible felonies” generally cannot be resolved with a deferred judgment or suspended sentence. When the stakes are that high, the details of the investigation matter. Franz defends serious charges including:
- Drug distribution and conspiracy charges, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other controlled substances
- Weapons offenses, including possession of a firearm by a prohibited person
- Robbery, burglary, and other violent felonies
- Domestic abuse charges, including felony-level and repeat-offense cases
- Theft and financial crimes
What to Do Right Now
- Do not discuss your case with police without a lawyer present, even if you think you can explain.
- Do not talk about the case on jail phone calls or video visits — they are recorded.
- Write down everything you remember about the arrest while it’s fresh.
- Keep every court date and follow every release condition.