Andover woman accused of underage drinking, false ID

A 20-year-old Andover woman was charged in late January with several crimes after she called police to report a potential theft. Hopkins police say that an officer went to an establishment in Hopkins to investigate the alleged theft. The officer arrived at the Wild Boar shortly after 2:00 in the morning.

Police say the woman who reported the unspecified theft was ultimately charged with giving a peace officer a false name and birth date, presenting someone else’s driver’s license and underage drinking. Under Minnesota law, prosecutors can seek gross misdemeanor charges upon allegations that a person has given a police officer the name and date of birth of another person. Gross misdemeanors can expose a person to up to a year in jail.

Hopkins police say that the Andover woman spoke to law enforcement at the bar. The officer says the young woman was swaying during the encounter. Law enforcement claims the woman insisted that she was 21-years old, but claimed that she did not have an ID with her at the bar. The officer claims she produced a driver’s license when asked how she got into the bar.

Police claim the license she provided was not hers. Prosecutors claim in court papers that the woman later identified herself and verified her identity to police with an insurance card displaying her name.

The underage drinking and displaying a false identification charges are misdemeanors. However, prosecutors are seeking a gross misdemeanor charge against the woman for allegedly giving law enforcement the name and date of birth of another person as her own identity during the investigation, according to court records.

Source: Hopkins Patch, “Doh! Underage Drinker Hands Officer False ID After Reporting Theft,” James Warden, Jan. 25, 2012

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

The timeline for filing pre-trial motions in a criminal case in Minnesota varies with the type of motion. A motion related to the discovery of evidence or dismissal of a criminal case must be filed at least three days before the Omnibus Hearing. The prosecution is then allowed to respond to the motions, and the court sets the timeline for these responses.
Knowing the tips for interacting with law enforcement as a suspect in Minnesota can keep you from saying or doing something that incriminates you. These tips include understanding your rights while interacting with law enforcement, knowing how to handle search and seizure, and seeking the early intervention of a criminal defense lawyer. You should apply these tips when you are stopped for questioning, a suspect in a criminal investigation, pulled over in a car, and during arrest, arrest processing, and custody.
You may need to hire a criminal defense lawyer even if you have not been charged. A criminal defense lawyer protects your rights when law enforcement officers are investigating you for a crime. Without a lawyer, you might say something that could be incriminating or misconstrued. Your lawyer can engage with the police or the prosecutors and provide evidence that prevents them from filing formal charges. Your lawyer can also go through your case and prepare a defense strategy if there is a possibility of you getting charged.