It is the foundation of our legal system. If you are charged with a crime, the judge and the jury have to assume that you are innocent until you either plead guilty or are convicted after a trial. What a lot of people do not realize is that the presumption means...
Criminal Defense
Can a vehicle passenger be charged with drug possession?
There is a moment of panic when an officer pulls your friend over while you are in their vehicle. You know that there are drugs in the car, but you might not know your rights in regard to receiving a drug possession charge. If you find yourself in a situation where...
What happens after your second DUI
If you have found yourself facing a DUI charge for a second time, you will have penalties that you will have to deal with. While you may think that you know what to expect since you have already had a DUI charge, there can be some differences. To make sure that you...
THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE
Old saying, I think from a college football coach years ago. The term applies in a few criminal defense cases. It does not apply in most cases where someone is accused of a crime, and, they did what they are accused of, or, something close to it. There is a lot of...
What affects the severity of a vehicular homicide charge?
Vehicular homicide occurs when a person perishes from negligent driving behavior. Depending on the situation, the consequences you face may vary significantly. If you committed criminal vehicular homicide (CVO) or know someone who has, it helps to know what to expect....
3 reasons why police may make a DWI stop
A police offer cannot pull you over and detain you without a reason. But a law enforcement official can stop you and pull you over if he or she believes your driving behavior is due to alcohol consumption. According to the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety, it is...
“The right to remain silent” and why it matters
It is one of the most widely known constitutional amendments, the 5th, the right to not incriminate yourself. Almost everyone has at least a basic understand of it, from TV if nothing else. Despite knowing about it, most people do not use it when they need to. I...
Reviewing Minnesota’s expungement criteria
Those convicted of a crime in Minnesota often fear what the long-term repercussions of their convictions may be (no matter the crime they stand accused of committing). Their fears are often justified; having a criminal record can negatively impact one's future ability...
Finding a good job with a criminal record
For many people in Minnesota, the experience of being arrested may give rise to many fears not just for the immediate moment but for what it may mean to their future. Relationships, school attendance, scholarships and jobs may all be impacted by a criminal charge....
What happens if I fail to register as a sex offender?
If you have been arrested for and charged with a sexual offense in Minnesota, you will want to understand some of the consequences that you may experience should your arrest result in a conviction. Some sex crime convictions require that the person participate in the...