Man receives prison sentence after pleading guilty to Roseville accident

When people in St. Paul make a serious mistake, sometimes they panic and this can put them into an even more difficult situation, especially when the mistake develops into a criminal act. A criminal conviction for something like vehicular homicide or a hit-and-run can come with a number of consequences that include jail time, fines, probation, loss of income and public embarrassment.

A moment of panic

A man claims that he panicked after hitting two male Army recruiters with his car at an intersection in Roseville. The accident, which occurred in September, turned into a hit-and-run when the man kept driving. One of the recruiters was caught on the vehicle and dragged for an estimated mile, suffering several broken bones. The driver allegedly ignored other drivers who were trying to direct his attention to the man and it was alleged that he kicked the recruiter in an effort to free him from the vehicle after he did stop.

The recruiter, who says he still suffers pain from the accident, made a request to the judge at the sentencing hearing, asking that the driver be given the stiffest sentence available. The driver pleaded guilty to charges of criminal vehicular operation and first-degree assault in November. It is unknown whether he had a Minnesota attorney to represent him at the sentencing, where he begged for the recruiter’s forgiveness. The judge ignored the driver’s plea for probation and sentenced him to serve a prison sentence of over 15 years.

Pleading guilty

Before people plead guilty to a criminal charge, it is important for them to understand what the advantages and disadvantages are. Usually, people decide to plead guilty in cases where a plea deal has been offered, when they want to speed up the legal process, and when they want to save themselves the cost of defending themselves in court. When a plea deal is involved, a person agrees to accept responsibility in exchange for a lesser charge and usually a lighter punishment.

People considering a guilty plea should keep in mind the disadvantages of making this type of plea. One of the largest disadvantages is the fact that a plea of guilty cannot usually be withdrawn after a judge accepts it. One exception is the emergence of new evidence that points to the person’s innocence. When people plead guilty to a felony they may be prohibited from owning a firearm, voting, working in certain environments or even living near schools and parks. Any type of criminal conviction can interfere with a person’s job search, creating financial challenges for them and their families. The repercussions can follow them for the rest of their lives.

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 timeline for filing pre-trial motions in a criminal case in Minnesota varies with the type of motion. A motion related to the discovery of evidence or dismissal of a criminal case must be filed at least three days before the Omnibus Hearing. The prosecution is then allowed to respond to the motions, and the court sets the timeline for these responses.
Knowing the tips for interacting with law enforcement as a suspect in Minnesota can keep you from saying or doing something that incriminates you. These tips include understanding your rights while interacting with law enforcement, knowing how to handle search and seizure, and seeking the early intervention of a criminal defense lawyer. You should apply these tips when you are stopped for questioning, a suspect in a criminal investigation, pulled over in a car, and during arrest, arrest processing, and custody.
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.