Minnesota Vikings NFL star running back Adrian Peterson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault. Peterson will avoid jail time and pay a $4,000 fine and court costs. He will also have to do 80 hours of community service. Peterson will also be on probation. If he successfully completes probation, he will avoid having this on his record. He was originally charged with felony reckless or negligent injury to a child for hitting his son with a wooden tree branch. His son had visible injuries. Peterson took responsibility and stated, “[i] stand here and take full responsibility for my actions. I love my son more than any one of you could even imagine. I am looking forward to and I am anxious to continue my relationship with my child.” He will also have to take parenting classes. The NFL will now be looking into the case to determine whether he can continue with the football season.
In Minnesota, Peterson’s deal is called a “stay of adjudication.” A stay of adjudication is when a defendant pleads guilty to an offense but the judge does not accept the guilty plea. The conviction does not go on the defendant’s record if probation is successfully completed. If probation is completed successfully, the charges will then be dismissed. A stay of adjudication is a VERY good outcome in a criminal case.
If you are charged with domestic assault like Adrian Peterson, or other crimes, you will need a criminal attorney in Minnesota to help you obtain a stay of adjudication in your case. A criminal attorney in Minnesota will be able to review the evidence and negotiate a deal with the prosecutor. Max Keller is a criminal attorney in Minnesota and has obtained many stays of adjudications for his Minnesota domestic assault clients and other clients in the past. Keller Law Offices offers a free consultation. Keller Law Offices has two criminal attorneys licensed in Minnesota. Contact us at 952-913-1421 today.