Woman Sentenced for Criminal Vehicular Homicide (CVO or CVH) for Texting Causing Death

Last week, for a Waseca County Criminal Vehicular Homicide ((CVO or CVH) woman was sentenced to 480 hours of community service and ten years of probation. She was charged with CVH because she caused the death of a driver of another vehicle while texting and speeding. She also also had several previous traffic citiatons for speeding and other offenses, and got another speeding ticket while this case was pending.

Under Minnesota Impaired Driving Laws, Criminal Vehicular Homicide or Injury (CVO or CVH) requires a finding of Gross Negligence OR simple negligence WHILE driving impaired or at .08 or more alcohol concentration.  Under the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines, the presumptive Sentence for CVH or causing a death while DWI is 48 months (4 years) for a driver with no prior felony convictions. Many persons have been charged with CVH who not only have no felony convictions, but who have never even gotten a DWI before like Amy Senser.  In order to avoid a 4 year Prison Sentence, if you are charged with injurying or killing someone while driving drunk or distracted (like texting while driving), then you need an experienced Minnesota Felony Criminal Vehicular Operation Attorney now.

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

Students with juvenile convictions in their records and intending to apply for college may wonder, “Do juvenile crimes impact college admissions?” A juvenile crime in Minnesota can lower the odds of your child’s college application getting approved. A conviction of a serious juvenile crime may result in an automatic rejection of college applications. A minor with a criminal record may be disqualified from accessing student loans or grants.
Defendants convicted of a crime may ask, “What is the post-conviction process, and how long does it take?” A petition for post-conviction relief allows you to contest the legality of a criminal conviction or sentence following an unsuccessful direct appeal process or passing the appeal deadline. This petition involves legal issues not addressed at trial or direct appeal. These issues include a constitutional rights violation, newly discovered evidence, and inadequate or ineffective lawyer representation.
Knowing how long the sentencing phase takes in Minneapolis, MN, can help you ease worries and work towards receiving a fair sentence. The sentencing phase of the criminal justice process usually takes only minutes, especially when the judge approves the sentence negotiated in a plea bargain. Sentencing can sometimes be lengthy, particularly when you get convicted at trial, and the judge schedules a hearing to a later date to decide on appropriate legal penalties. The nature and seriousness of the criminal conviction, whether your sentence is negotiated or determined by a judge, and continuance motions are some factors that may affect the length of the sentencing phase.