Fleeing Police – A Felony Offense
Fleeing police in a motor vehicle is a very serious offense in Minnesota and depending on the circumstances can lead to a maximum prison sentence of 40 years. The Minnesota statute specifies that fleeing means increasing speed, extinguish motor vehicle headlights or taillights, refusing to stop the vehicle, or use other means with intent to
Mail Theft Attorneys
You may be surprised to learn that mail theft – a potentially innocuous offense – is a felony in Minnesota. Because of this, such a simple act can carry long-lasting and potentially devastating consequences on an individual charged with felony mail theft. There are numerous ways that a person may commit mail theft under Minnesota
Domestic Assault Mandatory Sentences
One of the most frustrating parts of our jobs is when we represent clients facing supposed ‘mandatory minimums’ when charged with certain crimes. It is common knowledge in drug offenses. Not so common knowledge is that there are domestic assault mandatory sentences as well for repeat offenders. As always, even though they are ‘mandatory minimum’
Threats of Violence – Transitory Anger Defense
Threats of violence (what used to be called ‘terroristic threats’) is a catch-all, if you will, for serious threats and threatening behavior. For example, threats at a persons life falls within this charge. But, the mere mention of a threat doesn’t always equate to a criminal threats of violence felony charge because context matter, which
Drug Crime Sentencing – New Laws Effective Today
Effective today – Aug. 1 – Minnesota’s drug laws received a much needed update for drug crime sentencing. An antiquated system more in tune with the failed “War on Drugs” from previous decades is finally abolished in favor of greater flexibility for judges, allowing them to impose alternative sentencing options, which often are focused on
Confidential Informant’s Identity May Be Disclosed
Often, the State relies upon snitches (or, more politically correct – a confidential informant (“CI”)) to prove their case against a defendant. You see this often in drug cases. The State values this ‘insider’ information and will do everything it can to protect their confidential informant’s identity. Often, this can lead to a frustratingly difficult
Aiding and Abetting Does Not Require a Conviction for the Principal Actor
Talk about crappy luck…. So imagine you are a poor schmuck, you happen to believe strongly in the Second Amendment’s guarantee of a personal right to a firearm, and you have buddies who do stupid things. Maybe it’s not such a good idea to loan out your heater…. A young man charged with aiding and abetting
Patience and the Correct Legal Strategy Is Needed When Facing Multiple Criminal Cases
This post is dedicated to that parent, or that significant other who has a loved one in their lives who has a number of serious criminal cases pending at one time. It’s daunting. Frightening. And stressful. You may be at a loss about what to do. Reading this blog is the right first step. Getting legal counsel
Subsequent Drug Crime Convictions in Minnesota
EDITOR’S NOTE: The law has changed since this post. Here is a link about the law change on this topic: https://northstar.your-new-website.com/drug-crime-sentencing-new-laws-effective-today/ For possession or sale drug crimes, the penalties imposed depend on where the criminal act falls on the first through fifth degree spectrum. As detailed here, a first-degree offense is the most serious, while
A BB Gun is a Firearm… Somehow…
Hey there ho there, average happy Minnesota citizen. You are blissfully unaware of the pronouncements of your nearest Court of Appeals 3-person panel of judges, because… well, you are wise, and have a happy full life, and it’s only nerds like us who read this stuff. But this one, THIS puppy, you might want to