This is an online Iowa legal update course for law enforcement officers. The lesson addresses recent court decisions providing guidance to Iowa police officers regarding the following questions:

• What should an officer seeking a blood specimen from an OWI suspect do if, after a medical professional certifies that the person is unconscious, the suspect briefly regains consciousness before a blood draw is completed? Does an officer need a search warrant to obtain a blood sample from a hospitalized and unconscious driver whom the officer has probable cause to believe was operating a motor vehicle with any amount of a controlled substance present in the person?

• Why is it important for officers to record or carefully document the statements of important witnesses?

• When is a person “in custody,” such that police must provide Miranda warnings before questioning?

• When may an officer order a passenger to exit a stopped vehicle?

• What are the consequences when an officer continues to tase a suspect after the suspect has become compliant?