What does a Minnesota Felony Mean?

What does it means to have a felony in Minnesota:
A Minnesota felony means that a crime is punishable by at least one year and one day in prison. Many crimes carry the weight of a Minnesota felony. Some common Minnesota felony crimes include: criminal sexual conduct, driving while impaired (four DWI’s in ten years), theft of $1,000.00 or more, murder, and drug possession. Some Minnesota felonies also carry a life in prison sentence.
What are the collateral consequences of a felony?
Many individuals do not realize that once convicted of a Minnesota felony, it becomes difficult to obtain employment and housing. Many employers will look to see if you have a felony conviction on your record during the hiring process. If convicted of a felony you will also no longer be able to possess or carry a firearm, be able vote, or serve on a jury. Individuals who are here on visas such as work visas or a temporary protected status visa will also have a difficult time getting their visa renewed once convicted of a felony. Additionally, when applying for citizenship or a green card, a felony conviction will create a hardship and will delay your proceedings and your application may be denied.
It may be possible to get your sentence stayed which means that if you successfully complete probation, you will not be sent to prison. It is also possible to get a stay of adjudication which means that your charge will be dismissed upon completion of successful probation. However, if you violate probation, your sentence at that point will be executed. Do not be quick to plead guilty to a felony. Consider all the consequences that accompany a conviction. Hire an experienced Minnesota Felony Criminal Defense Attorney to try to keep a Minnesota Felony off your record. Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys offers a free consultation and has been successful in getting felonies dismissed. Call (952) 913-1421 as soon possible if you have been charged with a felony in Minnesota.

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.