Mike Brandt’s client was charged with Domestic Assault for an incident alleged to have occurred in Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota. Mike’s client’s wife accused him of assaulting her and threatening her. Mike and his client adamantly disputed the charges and were prepared to go to trial, if need be.
In preparing the case, Mike had his client obtain a chemical dependency evaluation and a domestic abuse assessment to show the prosecutor that his client was not a danger, did not need counseling, and did not have an alcohol problem. Mike also put together information regarding his client’s background, letters in support of his client, and otherwise provided to the prosecutor a great deal of information about Mike’s client.
Based upon all of that, the prosecutor agreed to suspend prosecution of the case and dismiss the charges in six months as long as Mike’s client did not incur any new charges and paid a small court fee. The effect of this negotiation prevented Mike’s client from having a conviction on his record, entering any sort of a plea, and also put him in a position to have the charge expunged (sealed) once the charges are dismissed.