What Should I Expect from a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

A criminal lawyer has unique skill sets to investigate a crime and gather evidence to help a defendant win a case. The lawyer can come up with compelling arguments to lessen and negate the criminal charges. The lawyer can also present evidence-supported facts and arguments that will convince the judge to lower the jail time and fines.

Day-to-day Responsibilities of a Criminal Lawyer

  • Calling, emailing, or meeting with clients in person
  • Reading statutes and case documents
  • Researching ongoing cases and reviewing evidence
  • Formulating robust defense strategies

These daily activities are an important part of building a strong case. Criminal lawyers usually take time to prepare for the case and to prepare the defendant for arraignment. This in-depth preparation enables them to avoid surprises during court sessions.

Additional Responsibilities of a Criminal Lawyer

After thoroughly researching the case and developing a defense strategy, the criminal defense lawyer has many duties. During the trial, the lawyer calls witnesses in the accused person’s defense and cross-questions the witnesses’ testimony.

Specialties of a Criminal Lawyer

Plea Bargain

A criminal lawyer can also negotiate a plea bargain on the defendant’s behalf. This bargaining chip aids in reducing the potential sentences imposed on the defendant. In some instances, it gets rid of a portion of the charges leveled against the defendant. Prosecutors rarely enter into plea bargain negotiations with defendants who don’t have a lawyer.

Predicting Case Outcomes

A lawyer has the knowledge and training to offer a defendant a reality check. The defense lawyer understands what’s happening during a criminal trial much better than the defendant. As such, the lawyer can predict the direction a case is going to take and the verdict the judge or jury is likely to give. These predictions and reality checks can help a criminal defendant who is considering a prosecutor’s plea bargain make an informed decision.

Sentencing

The best criminal defense lawyer is responsible for negotiating the imposed sentence. The lawyer deliberates with the prosecution and the judge to find ways of commuting the sentence. The lawyer can, for instance, suggest a sentence that will save the defendant from spending the entire year in jail for a drug possession conviction. If approved, the guilty defendant may get six months in rehab and only six months in prison. The lawyer will argue that this sentencing arrangement is a win-win for both the state and the defendant.

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

The Surprising Cost of a Guilty Criminal Plea in Minnesota

Defendants in Minnesota may plead guilty or accept deals without understanding the hidden cost of a guilty criminal plea. A guilty criminal plea, regardless of how appealing it appears, can leave you dealing with substantial lifelong consequences. You may skip lengthy trial proceedings and likely get a lenient sentence, but end up with a criminal record. The record can lead to various financial and collateral consequences, including difficulty in securing employment, loss of housing rights, license revocation, and immigration issues.

What You Can Expect at a Pre-Trial Motions Hearing in Minnesota

The pre-trial motions hearing is a court session you attend after your first arraignment. At the hearing, the prosecution and defense appear before a judge to clear several details about the case before trial. These details include pre-trial motions, evidentiary queries, and constitutional matters.

Refusing Arrest vs. Resisting Arrest in Minnesota: What’s the Difference?

Highly publicized incidents of police using excessive force over the past few years have led to people wondering, “What’s the difference between refusing arrest vs. resisting arrest?” Resisting arrest in Minnesota occurs when you use force to prevent a police officer from making a lawful arrest. Refusing an arrest, on the other hand, involves statements or actions that show reluctance to cooperate with an officer’s instructions without using force.