What You Need to Know about Child Protective Services Allegations

Not only are cases involving child protective services (CPS) emotionally challenging, but they are legally rather complex as well. While there are certainly cases in which CPS is necessary in order to protect a child, in some cases, families face false allegations and an unnecessary CPS investigation.

Lakeville Man Waives Extradition in 1983 Texas Murder Case

Robert Otteson is being charged with intentional murder of, Frank Varvaez, a man that was killed 31 year ago in Texas. Otteson has been living in Lakeville, Minnesota. He appeared in court in Dakota County last week.  Narvaez was stabbed in a hotel room in Texas on September 30, 1983.

Criminal Charges for Immigration Violations

The dramatic growth in the prison population in this country is due, in part, to the rising number of offenders sentenced to federal prison for violations of immigration law. In fact, according to PEW Research, between 1992 and 2012, the number of immigration offenders sentenced in federal courts more than doubled, rising from 36,564 cases to 75,867.

What Are Federal Sentencing Guidelines?

Defendants who are convicted of federal crimes are subject to federal sentencing guidelines. Under the federal sentencing guidelines, judges are bound by certain parameters when sentencing a defendant. The federal sentencing guidelines take into account the seriousness of the offense and the defendant's criminal history.

Set Aside Gets Jobs After DHS Disqualification

If you have been disqualified from rendering services to individuals as a result of a crime, you may be eligible for a set aside. Under Minn. Stat. Sec 245C.22 the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services (DHS) may set aside a disqualification if the commissioner determines the individual has

Ordinance Violation Sends Orono Man to Jail for 5 Days

James Barth went to jail for a zoning ordinance violation in the city of Orono in Hennepin County. Barth violated Orono’s ordinance on “exterior storage” and served five days in jail. A city inspection in May 2010 showed that Barth kept lumber, scrap metals, tires, rims, metal shelving, garbage bags, etc. on his lawn. A third inspections in August 2010 showed that more junk kept appearing on his lawn.

What does a Minnesota Felony Mean?

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.

Murder Charge for Bemidji Man Who Shot Neighbor Girl

Chad Pickering was charged with attempted first-degree murder in Beltrami County. Pickering shot at a 17 year old girl over a lawn mower. He allegedly shot her three times after she told him to stop riding his lawn mover through her yard.