In a recent Minneapolis narcotics investigation, officers used a cell phone locator tool to track a drug dealer to his residence. A confidential informant provided police officers with information that a suspect known as "Dennis" was dealing large amounts of powdered and crack cocaine in North Minneapolis. The informant supplied officers with the suspect's cell phone [...]
If you are charged with a theft offense in Minnesota, your case may be eligible for a diversion program. A diversion is a treatment program available to theft offenders and is an alternative to a conviction. The program requires you to participate in treatment and abide by other terms and conditions imposed [...]
In Minnesota, any person charged with rioting is facing a very serious criminal offense. The riot statute divides the offense into three different degrees: first-degree riot, second-degree riot, and third-degree riot. First Degree Riot is the most serious but requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt that (1) the suspect is one of three or more [...]
The United States and Minnesota Constitutions protect citizens from unreasonable seizures by the police. If your liberty is restrained by the police through a show of authority or physical force, consider yourself detained. A seizure occurs when a reasonable person believes that he or she is not free to terminate police questioning or to walk [...]
In a prison commit case, the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines prescribe a range for the sentence that "is presumed to be appropriate." The idea is to maintain uniformity and proportionality in sentencing for all defendants with similar charges and criminal histories. A district court judge in Minnesota may depart downward from the presumptive guideline prison commit [...]
If you have been charged in Minnesota with gross misdemeanor soliciting prostitution in a public place, you may have an excellent defense. The typical fact pattern involves the police setting up a sting operation where they create a fictional "prostitute" with a pretty name like "Brittany." Brittany then posts an online advertisement offering to perform [...]
If you have been convicted in Minnesota for the offense of felon in possession of a firearm for possessing a BB gun, you may be entitled to compensation for any time you served in prison or the county jail. The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that you can not be convicted [...]
If you are stopped for a traffic or equipment violation, you may end up with more than a citation. A police officer who is trained in drug recognition may notice certain symptoms that indicate recent drug use. If you display these symptoms, you could be arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance. [...]
I defended a case recently in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota where my client was charged with a felony DWI offense. This was a 42 month prison commit case upon conviction as he had a prior felony DWI conviction from 13 years ago. The case was weak from a defense standpoint. Our best option was to [...]
The charge of felony strangulation is a serious offense in Minnesota as the crime places the life of the victim at risk. Strangulation is defined as the intentional impeding of breathing by applying pressure to the neck or throat or by blocking the nose or mouth of another person. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.2247. The neck is a vulnerable place for [...]
