Resisting Arrest & Obstruction Defense Lawyer in Minnesota
Minnesota law does not take resisting arrest or obstruction lightly. Prosecutors often rely on officer statements, assumptions, and split-second interpretations made during chaotic encounters.
At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, we cut through that noise. We analyze the moment-by-moment reality, expose weaknesses in the state’s theory, and build a defense engineered for leverage, whether in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or any surrounding Minnesota community. At our firm, we take immediate action to protect your rights, your record, and your future.
If you’re facing charges in Minneapolis or St. Paul, we are prepared to dissect the evidence and counter the accusations.
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Understanding Resisting Arrest & Obstruction Charges in Minnesota
Many people charged with resisting arrest or obstruction never intended to interfere with police. The situation escalates fast, and a simple misunderstanding becomes a criminal allegation. We break down the details and challenge each piece of the state’s version.
Accusations often hinge on seconds, angles, and interpretations. Common scenarios that lead to charges include:
- Miscommunication during a stop
- Panic or physical reactions mistaken as resistance
- Failure to comply due to confusion
- Attempting to protect another person
- Disputes about what actually happened on scene
How Minnesota Prosecutors Build These Cases
Prosecutors typically rely heavily on officer narratives. We counter with strategy, evidence, and pressure.
Key Elements the State Tries to Prove
The prosecution may claim:
- You obstructed or interfered with an officer
- You refused to comply with lawful commands
- You acted with intent to resist
- You used force or created a safety concern
- You prevented or delayed an arrest, investigation, or duty
As a former prosecutor, Max Keller anticipates their moves and dismantles them methodically.
Once we identify contradictions or unstable assumptions, we use those weaknesses to shift negotiations, or dismantle the case at trial. Courts in Minneapolis and St. Paul take these allegations seriously, but we know how to turn the strategic advantage back where it belongs: on your side.
Tactical Defense Strategies We Use
When building your defense, we focus on leverage. We will:
- Challenge the legality of the stop or arrest
- Expose inconsistencies in police statements
- Use body-cam footage to reconstruct the encounter
- Identify commands or directives that fall outside lawful authority
- Demonstrate lack of intent or reasonable behavior
- Uncover misconduct, bias, or escalation errors
You deserve a case built on facts, not assumptions.
Call 952-913-1421 for a criminal defense lawyer who will protect your freedom.
Minnesota Penalties for Resisting or Obstruction: What’s at Stake
Obstruction and resisting arrest charges can escalate quickly. Understanding what the state can pursue is critical. Potential consequences of your arrest include:
- Misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor charges
- Jail time
- Probation
- Fines
- Permanent criminal record
- Collateral damage to employment or licensing
When Force or Injury Is Alleged
Some cases escalate to more serious charges if an officer sustains an injury or claims force was used.
How Minnesota Treats Allegations of Force
Allegations of force, intentional or not, trigger heightened scrutiny.
- The prosecution may seek enhanced penalties
- The case may include additional charges
- Officers’ accounts may be given disproportionate weight
We counter these claims with detailed evidence analysis and targeted legal strategy. Nothing is accepted at face value.
The Keller Criminal Defense Approach
At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, we don’t react, we execute a plan. We evaluate every second of the encounter and build a defense grounded in precision and pressure.
Step-by-Step Case Review
Our method is systematic and tactical. We:
- Assess legality of police actions
- Examine body-cam, dash-cam, and witness statements
- Identify unconstitutional commands
- Pinpoint escalation errors
- Leverage inconsistencies to negotiate or dismiss charges
We then build a defense tailored to your goals, minimizing risk while maximizing leverage.
Evidence Suppression Opportunities
Minnesota law offers several avenues to suppress evidence if police overstepped through:
- Illegal stop
- Unlawful arrest
- Invalid search
- Excessive force
- Coerced statements
If evidence falls, the state’s case could collapse. We use that to your advantage.
Why These Cases Are Often Defensible
Resisting arrest and obstruction are highly fact-dependent.
- Officers misinterpret movements
- Commands may be unclear
- Stress influences reactions
- Body-cam footage often contradicts reports
These weaknesses become our toolkit.
How We Use Pressure to Shift Outcomes
We build leverage, so prosecutors face risk if they push forward.
- Exposing contradictions
- Filing aggressive pretrial motions
- Leveraging footage and witness testimony
- Challenging “intent” claims
- Highlighting officer errors
This combination often drives reduced charges, dismissals, or strategic pleas. We protect your record at every turn.
Why Choose Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys?
With decades of criminal defense experience in Minneapolis and St. Paul courts, we understand how to dismantle state theories and rebuild control over the case. Our team has earned a reputation for stepping in quickly, spotting weaknesses prosecutors overlook, and executing strategies that put our clients back in a position of strength. We treat every case as if it is going to trial, which forces the state to meet a higher standard from day one.
Clients choose us because we deliver:
- Tactical, analytical defense strategies
- Aggressive motions and evidence challenges
- Strong negotiation leverage
- Trial-ready representation
- Local experience with Minnesota courts and prosecutors
We pride ourselves on clear communication, fast action, and relentless protection of your rights. Whether the goal is dismissal, reduction, or a strategic resolution that avoids long-term consequences, our approach is designed to secure the best outcome.
FAQs About Resisting Arrest Charges in Minnesota
Resisting arrest charges in Minnesota can be dismissed when the evidence fails to support the allegations or when your rights were violated during the encounter. Many cases weaken significantly after reviewing body-camera footage, examining whether the officer had lawful grounds for the stop, or identifying procedural errors. If the arrest itself was unlawful, or if the force used by police was excessive, prosecutors may have difficulty proving the charge. A skilled defense attorney can leverage these issues to push for dismissal.
Intent plays a central role in resisting arrest cases. Prosecutors must prove that you knowingly resisted, obstructed, or interfered with an officer. If your actions were the result of fear, confusion, misunderstanding, or an involuntary reaction, such as pulling away out of surprise, this lack of intent can form a powerful defense. Demonstrating that you did not deliberately attempt to obstruct the officer often leads to reduced charges or even dismissal, depending on the circumstances.
Obstruction and resisting arrest are related but distinct offenses in Minnesota. Resisting arrest typically involves physical actions that hinder an officer during the actual arrest process. Obstruction, however, is broader and can include any conduct that interferes with an officer’s lawful duties—even outside the context of an arrest. This could involve refusing commands, providing false information, blocking access, or disrupting an investigation. Understanding the difference is critical, because the evidence and legal strategies vary between the two charges.
Ready to Protect Your Record?
A resisting arrest or obstruction charge doesn’t define you, your defense does. At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, we build defenses engineered for results.
Call Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys at 952-913-1421 to build your defense today.