Category: Criminal Defense

Criminal Vehicular Operation or Homicide: Texting While Driving

In a recent survey reported in the Star Tribune newspaper, at least half of all teens surveyed said that they text while driving. We all know that teenage drivers are not the safest, because, for among others reasons, they are reckless, inexperienced, and believe they are invincible and can live forever. To put an exclamation point on the problem, a Massachusetts teenager 18 years old was just sentenced to one year in prison for texting while driving causing the death of another driver. Under Minnesota law, that is a felony called Criminal Vehicular Operation (Homicide). And unfortunately, most of us are guilty of texting while driving, we just haven’t hurt or killed anyone (yet). If you OR someone you know has been charged with a crime for Minnesota distracted driving, like Criminal Vehicular Operation or Criminal Vehicular Homicide, or DWI, or texting while driving, then you need a Tough, Experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense and Distracted Driving Attorney to keep you out of Jail now.

Minnesota Criminal Sexual Conduct or Sex Crimes and Bail

The sex crimes trial of Jerry Sandusky , ex Penn-State Football coach, will be starting soon in Pennsylvania. But before trial, the first thing he had to do was make bail. How does bail work in Minnesota sex crimes cases? A Minnesota bail hearing is one of the most important hearings in your Minnesota criminal case. At your first court appearance, a Judge will determine what amount of bail and/or other Minnesota conditions of release (like alcohol or drug monitoring) to impose upon you. You must post the amount of bail (in cash or through a Bail Bondsman) ordered by the Judge in order to be released from custody.

Minnesota Bail: How Much is Too Much?

Even though it is the first appearance you will make in Court, a Minnesota bail hearing is one of the most important hearings in your Minnesota criminal case. At your first court appearance, a Judge will determine what amount of bail and/or other Minnesota conditions of release (like alcohol or drug monitoring) to impose upon you. You must post the amount of bail (in cash or through a Bail Bondsman) ordered by the Judge in order to be released from custody.

Should a jury note in Amy Senser’s trial lead to a new trial? Part II

Earlier in the week, we talked about a note that could possibly lead to a new criminal vehicular homicide trial for Amy Senser. Though the Hennepin County judge who tried her case for a supposed hit-and-run that happened last year has not yet decided whether he will grant a new trial or acquit Senser of her criminal charges, he has 15 days to determine what he will do.

Minnesota Felony Charges: How Does a Felony Progress To Court

Being charged with a crime – any crime – is a scary proposition. If you are facing Minnesota felony charges, then if convicted you may be unemployable, and you will lose your right to vote and your gun rights. That’s why you need to call a Minnesota Felony Criminal Defense Attorney ASAP. If you’ve never been charged with a crime before, you may be curious as to what the typical procedures are for going to Court. When do you go to Court? What happens at a Court appearance? When is a trial? This guide provides some basic information on what to expect.

Minnesota Misdemeanor Criminal Defense: What Happens Once You’re charged ?

Being charged with a crime – any crime – is a scary proposition. You will need a Minnesota Misdemeanor Criminal Defense Attorney to help you. You may be curious as to what the typical procedures are for going to Court. When do you go to Court? What happens at a Court appearance? When is a trial? This guide provides some basic information on what to expect.

Minneapolis teen charged with murder in drive-by shooting

A Minneapolis teenager was accused of shooting another teen in a drive-by shooting in August 2011. The 17-year-old is currently being held in a workhouse while he awaits his trial for homicide. The teen was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of a 13-year-old boy. The teen was also accused of shooting at two other boys who were with the 13-year-old that was killed.

Poor testing procedures lead to retesting of blood alcohol samples

Minnesota motorists know that blood tests are common for anyone accused of drunk driving or the more serious vehicular homicide. In many situations, a suspect doesn’t have a choice — police will take the suspect’s blood regardless of whether he or she consents. Minneapolis police and prosecutors have long argued that blood tests are an effective way of determining a suspect’s blood alcohol level and, thus, whether he or she was legally intoxicated while driving.

Police charge minister with stealing from church

While it may not seem like a serious offense, stealing can have a much wider impact than just a conviction. Because theft crimes call into question your reliability and your trustworthiness, having a criminal record for theft makes it very difficult for employers, landlords and friends to trust you. It is also very easy for someone accused of a theft crime to say something that police can twist around and use against him or her at a trial, making it important to say nothing to police until you have spoken with your criminal defense attorney.

Amy Senser fights for unbiased, impartial vehicular homicide trial

It is a constitutional right that anyone accused of a crime will be tried by an impartial and unbiased jury. This Sixth Amendment guarantee is a basis of the American criminal system and no Minnesota suspect should ever have it infringed upon. As Amy Senser’s attorney attempts to protect her right to an impartial jury, he faces pushback from the Hennepin County prosecutor who is resisting his request to transfer the case to a new and less biased location in Minnesota.