Child Neglect Charges: Criminal Attorney in St. Paul, MN Needed by Man Who Left Child in Car on Hot Day

Alexander Rupp was just charged with child neglect in St. Paul, MN. Child neglect is a gross misdemeanor in Minnesota and carries up to one year in jail and or a $3,000 fine. Rupp left his 3-year-old daughter inside his car in August 2014.  The temperate on the day in question was about 74 degrees.  Mendota Heights police found the child locked inside the car. She was sweating and wiping her forehead. The officer smashed the window to the car to unlock the door. Once making contact with the child, the officer noticed that the child had warm skin.  Rupp told police that when he arrived and parked, he got into an argument with his daughter so he decided to leave her in the vehicle. He admitted that he shouldn’t have brought her and that he should have left the car running.
What is child neglect in Minnesota?

Under Minnesota statute 609.378, child neglect is defined as “a parent, legal guardian, or caretaker who willfully deprives a child of necessary food, clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision appropriate to the child’s age, when the parent, guardian, or caretaker is reasonably able to make the necessary provisions and the deprivation harms or is likely to substantially harm the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health.” Rupp will need an attorney to argue that his daughter did not suffer any physical, mental, or emotional health problems and that it was not likely to occur. Rupp will need a criminal attorney in St. Paul, MN to help him fight the charge.

Max Keller is a criminal attorney in St. Paul, MN. Because he is a criminal attorney in St. Paul, MN, he has an office conveniently located near the court. Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys offers a free consultation. If you have been charged with child neglect, child abuse, or Child Endangerment, call 952-913-1421 immediately.

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

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.
People arrested or charged with a crime may wonder, “How long do I have to get a criminal lawyer?” There is no strict deadline to hire a criminal lawyer in Minnesota. However, it’s advisable to hire one immediately if you get arrested, charged, or are under investigation for a crime. Getting legal representation on time protects you from making mistakes that can compromise your case. It also allows your lawyer to build a solid defense strategy that can increase your likelihood of getting a positive outcome from your case.
Continuance is what a court grants to delay proceedings. The parties in a criminal case (the prosecution and defense teams) may agree to a continuance to get more time to prepare for the proceedings. There are many reasons that push your defense lawyer in Minnesota to seek a continuance. A good example is when the other party presents surprise witnesses or evidence, requiring more time to work on a new defense. You can also request a continuance if you want to replace your lawyer, especially if you feel you are not getting sufficient representation.