Date: July 2021
Case: Careless Driving
Attorney: Michael J. Brandt
Result: Mike’s client was charged with Misdemeanor Careless Driving after making a 270 degree turn in his almost-empty school parking lot. Mike planned to take the case to trial. However, just before trial, Mike again spoke with the prosecutor and convinced her to agree to a Continuance for Dismissal on the charge. This means if Mike’s client successfully completes the conditions placed on him by the prosecutor, the charge will be automatically dismissed in 6 months. Mike’s client avoided a conviction on his record and did not have to admit to any wrongdoing.
Date: July 2021
Case: Domestic Assault
Attorney: Nicole A. Kettwick
Result: After an argument with a live-in girlfriend, Nicole’s client faced two counts of misdemeanor domestic assault. Nicole negotiated a stay of adjudication for her client which allows her client to avoid a conviction for this offense if he successfully completes probation.
Date: June 2021
Case: Threats of Violence and Domestic Assault by Strangulation
Attorney: Nicole A. Kettwick
Result: Nicole’s client was arrested after an argument with his wife in Swift County and was charged with Felony Terroristic Threats, Felony Domestic Assault by Strangulation, and Misdemeanor Domestic Assault. Nicole encouraged her client to complete some proactive steps which helped lead to a favorable settlement called a Stay of Adjudication for the Terroristic Threats charge. As part of the agreement, the prosecutor dismissed the domestic assault charges. Nicole’s client pled guilty to Terroristic Threats, but per the agreement the Court did not accept this plea and, instead, placed Nicole’s client on 3 years of probation without requiring any jail time. Upon successful completion of probation, the charge will be dismissed and Nicole’s client will avoid a conviction.
Date: June 2021
Case: Threats of Violence and Domestic Assault
Attorney: Michael J. Brandt
Result: During an argument with his girlfriend, Mike’s client shouted while holding a gun, causing the police to be called. Mike’s client was charged with Threats of Violence, a felony, and Domestic Assault, a misdemeanor. Mike was successful in pointing out that the alleged victim was unreliable and that the facts didn’t support the charge. Mike’s client also took the proactive step of attending counseling. Based upon this, Mike was able to negotiate with the prosecutor to amend the charge to Reckless Handling of a Firearm, a misdemeanor. Mike’s client was placed on probation for one year, avoided losing his gun rights, and avoided serving any jail time.
Date: May 2021
Case: DWI and Felony Fleeing
Attorney: Nicole A. Kettwick
Result: Nicole’s client faced Felony Fleeing and Gross Misdemeanor DWI charges after she was pulled over in Aitkin County for going over 100 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone. The State charged her with felony fleeing in a motor vehicle and DWI. After a blood test showed she did not have any alcohol or controlled substances in her system, Nicole filed a motion to dismiss the DWI, which the Court granted. Nicole’s client was still facing a felony fleeing charge. Nicole, her client and family helped gather information to show some proactive steps she took since the incident and discussed the legal challenges in the case with the prosecutor. Nicole was able to negotiate the Felony Fleeing charge down to Misdemeanor Speeding with only one year of probation and no jail time. This resolution allowed Nicoles’s client to get back on her feet and avoid a felony conviction on her record and she was able to get her vehicle returned to her.
Date: June 2021
Case: Domestic Assault
Attorney: Michael J. Brandt
Result: During an argument with her daughter, Mike’s client slapped her daughter’s face, leaving a bruise. CPS began an investigation, and she was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault. With the client’s proactive steps of attending therapy and gathering letters of recommendation, Mike was able to negotiate with the prosecutor to amend the charge to disorderly conduct and the client received a stay of adjudication for 1 year. This resolution allowed Mike’s client to move forward from her mistake and heal with her family while minimizing the impact that a charge for domestic assault could have on her life.
Date: April 2021
Case: Domestic Assault – By Strangulation
Attorney: Nicole A. Kettwick
Result: Nicole’s client was charged with a Felony Domestic Assault by Strangulation and faced an uncertain jury trial ahead of him. Due to her client’s limited criminal history and proactive steps, Nicole was able to negotiate with the prosecutor to achieve a resolution that allowed her client to avoid jail time and move on from this difficult time with only one year on probation and a stay or adjudication on a misdemeanor for one year. After the one year of successful probation, Nicole’s client’s amended misdemeanor charge will be dismissed.
Date: March 2021
Case: Third Degree DWI & Child Endangerment
Attorney: Mike Brandt
Result: Mike’s client faced gross misdemeanor charges of child endangerment and a gross misdemeanor DWI. Initially, Mike challenged whether or not his client was illegally arrested. Even though the judge denied Mike’s motion, he ultimately was able to negotiate a resolution with the prosecutor. Based on Mike’s discussions, the prosecutor agreed to dismiss both the gross misdemeanor DWI and the child endangerment charges. Mike’s client pled to a lower level misdemeanor DWI and was placed on probation for 2 years.
Date: March 2021
Case: Third Degree DWI (test refusal)
Attorney: Mike Brandt
Result: Mike’s client was charged with a gross misdemeanor third degree DWI after crashing his car while impaired and refusing to take the breath test at the station. After reviewing the State’s evidence and helping his client take proactive steps following the incident, Mike resolved the case where Mike’s client pled to a third degree DWI, but the Court lowered the sentence to a misdemeanor. As part of this agreement, Mike’s client was placed on unsupervised probation for 2 years and avoided any jail time.
Date: February 2021
Case: Robbery and Assault
Attorney: Michael J. Brandt
Result: Mike’s client was charged with Felony Simple Robbery, Felony Assault in the Third Degree, and Misdemeanor Assault in the Fifth Degree. After reviewing the State’s evidence, Mike challenged probable cause for the felony charges. After back and forth discussions with the prosecutor, Mike eventually negotiated a resolution where his client plead guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and the rest of the charges were dismissed.