Recently, the police chief of Robbinsdale Minnesota pleaded guilty to soliciting a prostitute. The chief, Steven Smith, had resigned just days before he was due in court, after being caught in a Prostitution Sting based off of Backpage.com. His case was then continued for about two months. After pleading guilty around May 21, 2014, Smith received a Stay of Adjudication for solicitation of prostitution. He was also ordered to pay a $300 fine, attend an anti-prostitution class, be on probation for 1 year, and forfeit the $150 found on his person which he apparently planned to use to pay the prostitute. If he follows all these conditions, then his record will be wiped clean at the end of one year.
This case points out the important distinctions you must know if you are charged with a crime between a Stay of Execution, a Stay of Imposition, a Stay of Adjudication, and a Continuance for Dismissal, among others. With a Continuance for Dismissal (CFD) or a Continuance Without Plea (CWOP) you do not have to enter a guilty plea. This is important, because it means that under current law, your records, INCLUDING any arrest and booking records, may still be expunged by the Courts. If you plead guilty and get a Stay of Adjudication, however, you can not get your arrest or booking records expunged. The Court CAN expunge your court records BUT cannot grant an expungement of executive branch arrest or booking records, under current law. These highly technical but very important distinctions show that you need the Best Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney on your side to make sure your record stays clean so you can preserve your current job and future job possibilities. If you or someone you know has been charged with Soliciting a Prostitute or other Minnesota Sex Crimes, call a Tough, Experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney at Keller Law Offices today at 952-913-1421. Call now to preserve your marriage, your job, and your freedom.
