Minnesota banker sentenced to prison, convicted of embezzlement

To the south of Minneapolis, in Jackson, Minnesota, a 66-year-old woman recently pled guilty to embezzlement. Whether it was because she pled guilty, the nature of her crime or her age, the judge was extremely lenient and only sentenced her to one year in jail. Embezzlement is a serious crime and often carries a considerable prison term, making it extremely important to work closely with an experienced white-collar criminal defense attorney.

Richfield man faces life in prison for methamphetamine charge

A 26-year-old Richfield man’s life may be over after he recently pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in federal court. The 26-year-old had supposedly been working with a 40-year-old who had repeatedly sold methamphetamine to undercover police officers. It appears that it was only one time that the 26-year-old had actually sold to officers and he had only done so under the direction of the older man. Because he pled guilty, it is unlikely that we will ever learn if the younger man had been selling these drugs willingly.

Federal government pushes Minnesota for new drunk driving laws

With the sheer number of anti-drunk driving campaigns on Minnesota televisions and radios, many people in Minneapolis would assume that Minnesota is one of the strictest states when it comes to driving while intoxicated. Surprisingly, it is not. Minnesota is one of 33 states that does not require people convicted for the first time of drunk driving to install an ignition interlock. Unless a driver has a blood alcohol content that is two times the legal limit or higher or is being convicted of a second or subsequent drunk driving offense, Minnesotans do not need to have these devices in their vehicles.

Minneapolis Veterans Treatment Court needed in outstate Minnesota

Since Hennepin County launched its Veterans Treatment Court only two years ago, more than 100 veterans have appeared before the court to get the help they need instead of a lengthy prison sentence. The Minneapolis court has become a model and now advocates say the same type of court is needed in greater Minnesota as well. The point of the special court is to address the underlying issues veterans facing criminal charges struggle with and what ultimately brings them into the criminal justice system in the first place.

Placing offenders in jobs reduces rates of recidivism

It is undeniable that some people make mistakes, and when they have been appropriately punished for their mistakes, they deserve a chance to start over. This applies to people who have made small mistakes and those who have committed drug crimes in Minnesota. After leaving prison, they should be able to find a job in Minneapolis-St. Paul and restart their lives.

Police use Facebook, videos to link teens to crime

If a Minneapolis resident heard that police had used videos to link a teenager to a crime, he or she would likely think that there was some kind of surveillance video that clearly depicted a child committing a crime. What is far more tenuous to accept, however, is that police would use video shot by suspects as evidence that they were involved in a crime. Since when did it become a crime to tape something going on?

Police: Woman Accused of DWI Drugs After Woodbury Accident

Woodbury Police accuse a St. Paul woman of driving while impaired based upon medication after she was allegedly involved in a January car accident. Law enforcement claims that the woman was in and out of coherence after being in the accident. Police had been in the area of her home to investigate a call reporting an alleged domestic dispute.

Southern Minnesota man sentenced in DWI case after alleged burrito assault

Not long ago, this blog discussed the issue of probation in Minnesota DWI cases. That entry focused on the trend in Minnesota of jailing people on probation for failing to pay probation fines or fees. However, in many cases, the judges impose terms and conditions at the time of sentencing that can make future violations of the law an issue for people on DWI probation.

Man faces felony charges for Roseville theft, pleads guilty

On New Year’s Eve, a 25-year-old man apparently walked into a Quiznos sandwich shop and robbed the store of $310 dollars. For that, he was charged with federal crimes, including possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and interference with commerce by robbery. For the firearm charge alone he could be sentenced to life in prison; for the robbery charge he will face a minimum of ten years and a maximum of 20 years. What really is at question, however, is why the man was charged under federal law.

26-year-old Minnesota man facing 20 years for drug crimes

Being charged with a serious crime is incredibly difficult, but facing 19 indictments is likely overwhelming, especially for a young person. What is even more difficult is trying to keep a cool head and rationally doing everything one can to clear one’s name. This is why it is so important to work with a strong criminal defense attorney who will help explain what options are available. Failing to do so could lead to a wrong move.