Minneapolis Sex Crime Lawyer
Accused of a Sex Crime? Get a Former Prosecutor on Your Side.
A sex crime accusation does not mean you are guilty. You have rights, and you deserve a strong defense.
Minneapolis sex crime lawyer Max Keller knows how prosecutors build these cases because he used to be one. With more than 25 years of criminal law experience, he understands the tactics investigators use, the evidence prosecutors rely on, and where their cases may fall apart.
Whether police have contacted you, you’ve been arrested, or you’re already facing charges, Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys is ready to step in, protect your rights, and start building your defense.
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Do Not Discuss the Allegation
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Types of Sex Crime Charges We Defend in Minneapolis
Minnesota sex crime laws cover a wide range of offenses, from allegations of unwanted sexual contact to serious felony charges involving sexual assault, exploitation, and internet-related crimes. Each offense carries its own legal requirements, penalties, and challenges for the defense.
At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, we defend clients accused of sex crimes in Minneapolis and throughout the Twin Cities, including:
- Criminal Sexual Conduct: First-, second-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-degree charges involving allegations of unlawful sexual penetration or contact.
- Sexual Assault and Rape: Allegations involving nonconsensual sexual activity, force, coercion, or other circumstances prohibited by Minnesota law.
- Sex Crimes Involving Minors: Charges involving allegations of unlawful sexual contact or sexual activity with a minor.
- Internet Sex Crimes: Allegations arising from online communications, electronic devices, and internet-based investigations.
- Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM): Charges involving the alleged possession, distribution, or production of illegal sexual images involving minors.
- Prostitution and Solicitation: Charges involving alleged commercial sexual activity, including undercover police investigations.
- Sex Trafficking: Serious felony allegations involving the recruitment, promotion, or exploitation of individuals for commercial sexual activity.
The specific charge matters, but so does the evidence behind it. Max Keller examines the allegations, the prosecution’s evidence, and the circumstances of the investigation to identify weaknesses and develop a defense strategy tailored to the case.
What Are the Five Degrees of Criminal Sexual Conduct in Minnesota?
Minnesota law divides criminal sexual conduct into five degrees, with first-degree charges generally carrying the most severe penalties. The degree of the charge depends on the alleged conduct and circumstances, including whether sexual penetration or contact occurred, the ages of those involved, and whether force, coercion, or other aggravating factors were present.
Minnesota Criminal Sexual Conduct Charges and Penalties
* Statutory penalties vary for certain offenses and circumstances. Third-degree offenses also have exceptions to the general maximums. These figures describe potential statutory penalties, not the sentence a particular defendant will receive.
A conviction can carry consequences beyond prison time and fines. Depending on the offense, those consequences may include predatory offender registration, conditional release requirements, restrictions affecting employment or professional licensing, and other long-term obligations.
The penalties listed above are serious, but they are not automatic. The prosecution must prove every element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Max Keller examines the evidence, the circumstances surrounding the allegations, and the applicable law to determine where the prosecution’s case can be challenged.
“If you believe you’re under investigation for sexual assault, rape, child pornography, sex trafficking, or another sex crime, the time to hire a defense attorney is now.
Don’t wait until charges are filed. Your reputation may already be at risk. Your job, your professional license, even your ability to see your own children could be on the line.”
On This Page
1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct charges against our client R.V. in Ramsey County were dismissed when we showed the government that the Complainant was not believable. This meant that our client avoided a presumptive sentence of 12 years in prison. …
J.H. Doge Co. Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 3rd Degree Dismissed when we provided evidence that our client was innocent. …
B.L. Charges of possession of child pornography dismissed due to expiration of statute of limitations. …
Will You Have to Register as a Sex Offender in Minnesota?
Not every sex crime conviction requires sex offender registration in Minnesota. However, certain convictions and other case outcomes specified by law can trigger mandatory registration under Minnesota’s Predatory Offender Registration Act.
Under Minnesota Statutes §243.166, most individuals who are required to register must do so for at least 10 years. The registration period may extend beyond 10 years depending on probation, supervised release, conditional release, or other statutory requirements. Some individuals are required to register for life.
How Does Sex Offender Registration Affect Your Life?
Registration involves more than providing your name and address to law enforcement. Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to:
- Keep law enforcement informed of your current address and changes in your living arrangements.
- Report employment, school enrollment, vehicle information, and other information required by law.
- Comply with ongoing reporting and verification requirements.
- Face additional criminal charges or an extended registration period if you fail to comply.
Minnesota also uses a three-level risk classification system for certain individuals subject to community notification. Risk level and registration duration are not the same thing. A higher risk level may affect what information is shared with the public, but it does not automatically determine how long someone must register.
Sex offender registration can affect where you live, where you work, and how you move forward with your life. These consequences deserve serious consideration before decisions are made about your case.
Max Keller looks beyond the immediate criminal penalties to evaluate how the charges and potential outcomes could affect your future. That includes determining whether registration may be required and what options are available to challenge the charges or limit their consequences.
“These guys were amazing, very knowledgeable and make you feel like an important client. I appreciate what they did for my case, can’t thank you enough.”
The Prosecution's Case Is Not the Whole Story
When someone is accused of a sex crime, investigators often begin building a case around the allegations. But an accusation is not proof, and the evidence may tell a different story.
People can be falsely accused. Statements can be misunderstood, details can be taken out of context, and investigators can reach conclusions without considering all the facts. Even evidence that appears damaging at first may not hold up under closer examination.
Max Keller spent years prosecuting criminal cases before becoming a defense attorney. He knows how the State builds its case, and he knows what to look for when challenging it.
Depending on the circumstances, your defense may involve:
Challenging Allegations About Consent
In cases where consent is legally relevant, text messages, witness statements, and communications before or after an encounter may provide important context. The defense must examine what actually happened, not simply accept one interpretation of the events.
Looking Beyond the Digital Evidence
A message, photograph, or file on a computer does not always tell the whole story. We examine where digital evidence came from, how it was obtained, who had access to it, and whether it actually establishes the conduct alleged.
Challenging Undercover Police Tactics
In prostitution and internet sex crime investigations, undercover officers may use false identities and deceptive tactics. Those tactics are not automatically unlawful, but entrapment may be a defense when law enforcement improperly induces someone to commit a crime.
The State has the burden of proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Your defense begins with making sure its evidence can withstand that scrutiny.
Exposing Inconsistencies in the Accusation
Conflicting accounts, changing timelines, and statements that do not match other evidence can raise serious questions about an allegation. We look closely at what was said, when it was said, and whether the evidence supports it.
Holding Investigators Accountable
Police do not get to ignore constitutional protections because an allegation involves a sex crime. If officers conducted an unlawful search, improperly obtained statements, or violated your rights during the investigation, we examine whether that evidence can be challenged in court.
Your Defense Starts Before You Walk Into a Courtroom
Some of the most important work in a sex crime case happens long before trial. Police may already be interviewing witnesses, examining electronic devices, collecting evidence, and building a case for prosecutors to review. Waiting until charges are filed can mean losing valuable time.
At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, we don’t wait for the prosecution to tell us what happened. We investigate the allegations, examine the evidence, and start looking for opportunities to challenge the case against you.
What Happens When You Hire Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys?
If you’re under investigation, we can communicate with law enforcement on your behalf, advise you about questioning, and work to protect your rights before formal charges are filed. In some circumstances, early intervention may help prevent charges from being brought.
We examine witness statements, electronic communications, police reports, and other available evidence. We look for inconsistencies, missing information, and facts that investigators may have overlooked.
When the evidence or police procedures raise legal questions, we take action. That may involve filing motions to suppress evidence, challenging the admissibility of statements, or negotiating with prosecutors when doing so serves your interests.
Not every sex crime case goes to trial, but preparation matters from the beginning. Max Keller’s experience as both a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney helps him anticipate how the State may present its evidence and prepare to challenge it.
We don’t assume the prosecution has it right. We make them prove it.
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Get the Answers You Need from Sex Crime Attorney Max Keller
Sex crime laws in Minnesota are not always straightforward. Conduct that someone believes is legal may still result in criminal charges, depending on the circumstances.
Minneapolis sex crime attorney Max Keller addresses three questions that frequently arise in criminal sexual conduct cases.
Can you be convicted of a sex crime even if you didn’t use force or coercion?
Yes. Not every criminal sexual conduct charge in Minnesota requires proof that someone used physical force or coercion. Depending on the offense, criminal liability may involve a person’s age, inability to legally consent, or other circumstances defined by law.
The prosecution must prove the specific elements of the offense charged, which is why understanding the allegations and the applicable statute matters.
Can you be convicted of a sex crime for having sex with someone older than 16?
Yes. Although Minnesota’s age-of-consent laws generally recognize 16 as an important threshold, that does not mean every sexual relationship involving someone age 16 or older is legal.
Factors such as the age difference between the individuals, relationships involving positions of authority, and other circumstances can affect whether criminal charges are possible.
Can you be convicted of a sex crime just for having sex with your boyfriend or girlfriend?
Yes. Being in a dating relationship does not automatically establish consent or protect someone from criminal sexual conduct charges.
Consent must be evaluated in the context of the particular encounter. Depending on the circumstances, a person’s age, capacity to consent, or the presence of coercion may also affect whether the conduct violates Minnesota law.
Accused of a Sex Crime in Minneapolis? Talk to Max Keller.
You don’t have to wait until criminal charges are filed to start protecting yourself. Whether you’re under investigation or already facing prosecution, Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys is ready to examine the allegations, explain your options, and fight for your rights.
Call (952) 913-1421 for a free consultation. Available 24/7.