Driver Sentenced to 4 years for Criminal Vehicular Homicide (CVH)

Recently, Hennepin County District Court Judge Mark Wernick sentenced a driver to four years in prison for Criminal Vehicular Homicide, even though it was dark and rainy out at the time the driver accidentally struck a pedestrian.  John R. Peterson, the 23 year old driver, was convicted of Criminal Vehicular Homicide for accidentally running over Kandyce Stoffel. The victim was also 23 at the time, and was walking in the road in Dinkytown, a section of Minneapolis, Minnesota near the University of Minnesota, at the time of the crash.  Stoffel was forced to walk in the street with her companions because the sidewalk was closed due to construction.

If you need an attorney to defend you against serious felony charges carrying a guidelines sentence of year in prison like this case, contact an experienced felony criminal defense attorney like Max A. Keller who has obtained felony sentencing departures in the past for his clients:  Call us now at (952) 913-1421

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.