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FRAMED (When Innocent People Take the Fall)

People who are framed for crimes they didn’t commit often spend years in prison if the truth is not revealed and accepted in a court of law.

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Taking the Fall for a Crime

Unfortunately, innocent individuals are sometimes framed by police or others for crimes they did not commit, most often for drug crimes or violent offenses. In most cases, police officers who are investigating a crime scene follow the evidence when making an arrest on a likely suspect. Although police investigators do make mistakes, there are sometimes other people involved in the crime or the criminal investigation who manipulate, tamper with, or falsify evidence. When this occurs and evidence points to a specific person, police officers are more likely to arrest and charge that person, even if he is the wrong suspect and an innocent person.

There are numerous reports across the country about innocent people framed for crimes they didn’t commit. Some of them have spent years in prison, even though they were innocent:

In Texas, a man was framed for the murder of a Dallas police officer. In 1977, he was convicted of the crime and sentenced to die. He served 12 years in prison before the Supreme Court gave him a stay of execution, just three days before his scheduled execution. Ten years later, another man confessed to the murder and the convicted man was freed.

In Minnesota, lawyer Matt Kostolnik was framed for child pornography distribution and death threats against Joe Biden and other public officials sent from his email account. Although he swore he was innocent, a federal investigation was launched. Kostolnik hired a forensic computer scientist who discovered that his email account had been hacked. The real suspect turned out to be a neighbor with a grudge. He was arrested and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Over the years, there have been many reports of innocent people framed or wrongly convicted of criminal offenses. Once arrested for a crime, it can be difficult to prove innocence. Police officers are expected to conduct themselves honestly and professionally. When a suspect has prior arrests or criminal convictions, it can be tough to convince a jury that the person was framed by planted or mishandled evidence.

Max Keller image
Attorney Max Keller
Max Keller

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.

Experience: Practicing since 1997
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

Person using smartphone with blurred police lights background. charged with a drug crime based on text messages

Can You Be Charged With a Drug Crime Based on Text Messages Alone?

You can be charged with a drug crime based on text messages alone in Minnesota, especially when the messages show intent to purchase, sell, distribute, or traffic drugs. Prosecutors often use text messages to demonstrate intent to commit a drug crime, show a history of drug activity, link you to a specific phone, and corroborate physical evidence. Text messages often strengthen the probable cause required for the police to arrest and charge you. They are, however, not sufficient for a conviction without compelling supporting physical evidence.
Handcuffed man in beanie looking distressed during interrogation. police lie to you during an interrogation

Can the Police Lie to You During an Interrogation in Minnesota?

Criminal defendants who interact with police officers for the first time are often left wondering, “Can the police lie to you during an interrogation?” Police officers can lie to you during an interrogation. In fact, deception is a lawful and fully permitted police technique provided the officers do not use it to force a confession. Police often claim possession of non-existent evidence or witnesses to trick you into disclosing information that can aid their investigation.