Category: Criminal Defense

High school celebrations and DUI

As the weather in Minnesota finally transitions from the long winter to reliably warm spring days, high school students near the dates of prom and high school graduation and graduation parties. For some, high school prom and graduation parties are a rite of passage where underage drinking occurs. The reality is that a season of celebration that throws alcohol into the mix can result in danger, death and DUI.

Supreme Court hears criminal defense case involving 13-year-old’s Miranda warning

Last Wednesday, the Supreme Court of the United States heard a criminal defense case involving whether police were required to give a 13-year-old boy Miranda warnings and whether the young teenager was in custody at the time he was questioned. The justices were divided along political lines as they questioned both sides during the oral arguments. While some justices worried that different standards of Miranda warnings would need to be applied to different age groups, other justices easily thought that a 13-year-old would interpret questioning by a police officer differently than an adult.

Prosecution of juvenile crime falls in Dakota County

Last month, we wrote about the fall in juvenile crime prosecutions in Hennepin County. This month information has been released that shows Dakota County is also experiencing a similar trend. The downward trend in juvenile crime prosecutions in Dakota County has occurred consistently over the last eight years. The local trend is a part of a national decline in the number of juveniles who face prosecution and need criminal defense. Some legal experts believe the downward direction of juvenile crimes is attributed to anti-bullying, anti-drug abuse and juvenile crime prevention initiatives.

The concern with the ‘CSI Effect’

For every criminal case the prosecution and the criminal defense must use the available evidence to demonstrate their case. These days some prosecutors believe that a certain crime show may be making their job more difficult, CSI. Some prosecutors think that the crime show CSI has created a new expectation among jury members. The new expectation is that tests that use high technology should be used to convict defendants. The new trend is referred to as the CSI Effect.

Vietnamese Internet Crime Ring Has Possible Links to Minnesota

A Vietnamese internet crime ring under investigation for a number of white collar crimes including fraud, money laundering and identity theft may have a connection to Minnesota. The federal investigation is being conducted by the United States Department of Homeland Security and is called “Operation eMule.” The crime ring uses hundreds of stolen identities to swindle thousands of dollars from online retailers. Two 22-year-old college students from Winona State University have been linked to the ring by investigators.

Benny Sapp cited for careless driving and assault at hospital

While Vikings cornerback Benny Sapp may be a growing figure in Minnesota sports, he is also a parent. Like many Minneapolis parents, there is nothing more frightening that knowing your child is in the hospital. Having a child with a serious enough illness or medical condition to require hospitalization puts most parents on edge. Whether this means they have a short fuse, are not acting with their normal judgment or are somewhat confrontational, no one should understand this better than hospital staff.

Alternative community program lowers juvenile detention numbers

The number of young offenders who face prosecution and need criminal defense in Hennepin County is on the decline because of the county’s alternative community program. The Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative is responsible for decreasing the number of juvenile offenders in the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center (Juvenile Detention Center) by half in comparison to 2006.

Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys wins Another Jury Trial In Hennepin County

On Friday January 14, 2011, criminal defense trial attorney Max A. Keller of Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys won a jury trial victory in Hennepin County. The jury returned a not guilty verdict on the sole count of the complaint in a Violation of an Order for Protection (Violating an OFP) case. The Hennepin County Jury Trial involved forensic computer evidence, cell phone records, alibi witnesses, and impeachment of the key witness for both sides by transcripts of prior testimony under oath.

New Ruling Allows Police to Search Phones Without Warrant

To the possible dismay of criminal defense and constitutional law attorneys across the United States, a California judge ruled Monday that police in the state of California may search an arrested individual’s phone. The ruling allows police to search any data that is kept on an arrested person’s phone. Under the ruling data is considered to include texts, emails, photos, web browsing history, address books or other data stored on the phone. The ruling only affects California law.

Burglars Break into Local Band’s House in Saint Paul

What is a criminal defense case for the suspects is a case of a Christmas Eve gone terrible for the victims. A local musician who is a part of a well known local rock band had his Saint Paul home and recording studio broken into over the evening of Christmas Eve. The musician lost $25,000 in electronic gear but more importantly he lost two albums that he had been recording for two different bands.