Category: Criminal Defense

Man accused in Western Minnesota of fleeing, DWI in series of incidents

Law enforcement in Western Minnesota accuse a 27-year-old of felony fleeing and gross misdemeanor drunk driving, among other offenses, after he allegedly ran his pickup truck into a home in Morris, Minnesota November 2. A police officer claims that he made a traffic stop of a vehicle the man was driving. The officer claims that he believed the man was driving drunk.

Rochester man sentenced to 14 years for robbery

Despite pleading guilty in the case, a 25-year-old man from Rochester was still given a stiff sentence inside federal court recently. The man, who pled guilty to robbing three different McDonald’s restaurants, was sentenced to 14 years behind bars.

Mankato football coach cleared of child pornography charges

Earlier this fall we covered the story of the Minnesota State Mankato football coach who was charged with child pornography after an information technology employee found videos on his work cellphone. The videos allegedly showed his three children naked and playing and led to very serious criminal charges. Today, a Blue Earth County judge dismissed all charges against him.

Technology used to indict someone for theft raises questions

This blog has previously mentioned the high degree of evidence that the state of Minnesota must prove to be able to convict someone of a crime. Not only must there be evidence, but the evidence must be credible and must be lawfully obtained. If it is not or if there is insufficient evidence to prove a suspect committed a crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the state will lose and the suspect will be acquitted of any wrongdoing.

Driver’s medical condition rejected by jury in vehicular homicide

In July, we brought you the story of a 50-year-old St. Paul man who was arrested after he was involved in a car accident that claimed the life of a 16-year-old girl outside of Harding High School. The man was arrested on charges of felony criminal vehicular homicide, despite the fact that he told police that his arms and legs had gone numb in the moments leading up to his crash. Unfortunately, the jury still believed he should have been able to stop his car from hitting the girl.

Innocent Owner DWI Vehicle Forfeiture Case Won By Keller Law

Earlier this month, Minnesota DWI Forfeiture Attorney Max Keller successfully asserted an innocent owner defense in a Dakota County DWI Forfeiture case. As a result, his client’s vehicle was returned to her, the innocent owner.

Minnesota Driver Enters Plea Deal to Alcohol-Related School Bus Charge

Minnesota drivers may be aware that the legal limit alcohol level to drive a motor vehicle in the state is generally set at 0.08 percent BAC. Minnesota law also allows prosecutors to pursue charges for driving while impaired based upon the testimony of officers concerning driving conduct, observations in field sobriety tests and other testimony regarding so-called “indicia of impairment.”

Richfield Teen Accused of DWI on Golf Cart in Mankato

Most people are aware of Minnesota’s law prohibiting driving while impaired. This blog has discussed many news reports concerning DWI charges. Recently, an entry discussed a University of Minnesota survey of students regarding bicycling. While a non-motorized bike is not considered a motorized vehicle, some people may not understand how broadly Minnesota prosecutors seek to apply Minnesota’s harsh DWI laws.

U of M Cracking Down on Underage Drinking, DWI and Alcohol Offenses

The school year has obviously begun. Around college campuses, law enforcement agencies around the country typically keep a close eye near a campus-looking for evidence of alcohol-related offenses. This year, TCF stadium began selling alcohol during Gopher football games. When the stadium first opened, police received grants to step up alcohol enforcement laws near the stadium.

No jail time for Minnesota basketball star

A University of Minnesota basketball star was relieved last week to learn that he will not be put in jail for violating his parole when he was charged with drinking and driving in July. The decision was made by a Miami-Dade judge, who concluded that the basketball player still has “the ability to turn around.”