Jul 19, 2014

Importance of Hiring Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you were arrested, you likely scared and unsure of where to turn for help. It is important to stay calm, avoid reactionary or antagonistic behavior, and contact a skilled Minnesota criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The following list highlights just some of the reasons it is important to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible is you are charged with a criminal offense:

A criminal defense lawyer can help ensure that warrant requirements are met. There are generally two types of warrants that apply to criminal cases – an arrest warrant authorizes a police officer to arrest the person or people named in the warrant, and a search warrant authorizes the police to search evidence at a defined location at a specified time. The legal scope, requirements, and limitations of arrest warrants and search warrants are incredibly complicated with several nuances and exceptions that may apply given a specific situation. A criminal defense lawyer can help ensure that the requirements of an arrest warrant are satisfied and that any evidence obtained without a proper search warrant is excluded from the record.
A criminal defense lawyer can help you make bail. If you are arrested, one of the first court proceedings that you will attend is the Bail Hearing, during which the judge will determine what bail should be required to permit release pending resolution of the charges. A criminal defense attorney can advocate on your behalf for a reduction of the bail amount and help you make arrangements for obtaining the funds to make bail.
A criminal defense lawyer will help you avoid any unnecessary and harmful statements. If you are arrested, you must be advised of your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. A defense lawyer can represent you during any police questioning and ensure that your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent is protected. If any evidence or testimony is obtained in violation of the Fifth Amendment, a criminal defense lawyer will seek to exclude the ill-gotten evidence or testimony from the record.
A criminal defense lawyer understands the nuances and complexities of the charges that you are facing. Criminal laws – and a defendant’s constitutional rights – are complicated and complex. Even those criminal laws that seem relatively straight-forward can have several exceptions or nuances. A criminal defense lawyer can explain these nuances to you and advise you on your legal rights and options in light of the criminal code.
A criminal defense lawyer understands the criminal justice system. Because a criminal defense lawyer understands the way that the criminal justice system works, he or she is well-equipped to handle the court proceedings and guide you through the legal process from start to finish while advocating on your behalf for a dismissal or reduction of charges.

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Contact a Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are facing criminal charges in Minnesota, the criminal defense lawyers at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys have the experience and skill you need. We are committed to protecting our clients’ rights, reducing or eliminating penalties, and providing knowledgeable legal advice. We maintain constant communication, via phone and email, and treat all of our clients with the utmost respect and dignity. Moreover, we are available to our clients any time, day or night, to handle any pressing legal concerns.

Contact our office at (952) 913-1421 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Minneapolis criminal defense lawyers.

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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.