Date: February 2021
Case: Violation of Harassment Restraining Order
Attorney: Dani Peden
Result: Dani’s client was charged with Gross Misdemeanor Violation of a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO). After reviewing the evidence, Dani researched whether a valid HRO existed, and whether her client was properly charged. Based on her research, Dani believed the State did not have a basis for the charges and filed a motion to dismiss. Based on her motion and supporting memorandum, Dani was able to convince the prosecutor to dismiss the charges against her client.
Date: January 2021
Case: 3rd Degree DWI
Attorney: Michael J. Brandt
Result: Mike’s client was originally charged with a Gross Misdemeanor 3rd Degree DWI. Through negotiations, Mike was able to reach a resolution with the prosecutor where his client pled to a Misdemeanor 4th Degree DWI and the 3rd Degree DWI was dismissed. Instead of serving any jail time, Mike’s client was placed on unsupervised probation for 2 years and had to pay a small fine.
Date: January, 2021
Case: 2nd Degree DWI
Attorney: Michael J. Brandt
Result: Mike’s client was charged with a Gross Misdemeanor Second Degree DWI. Because of the charge, Mike’s client’s license was revoked for 2 years and the client’s vehicle was forfeited. However, after reviewing the State’s evidence, Mike determined that the police officer lacked reasonable articulable suspicion to pull his client over (AKA the officer illegally pulled Mike’s client over). Mike proceeded by drafting a motion and memorandum to the court asking the court to dismiss the charges because his client was illegally stopped by the police officer. The Judge ruled in favor of Mike’s client and dismissed all the charges against Mike’s client. Additionally, Mike challenged the revocation of his client’s license in civil court arguing that his client’s driving privileges, which were revoked at the time of the incident, should be given back to his client. The Judge ruled in Mike’s client’s favor on this issue as well and Mike restored his client’s driving privileges.
Because the criminal charges were dismissed, the State also dropped the forfeiture proceedings against Mike’s client and returned the vehicle to Mike’s client.
Date: January, 2021
Case: Domestic Assault by Strangulation
Attorney: Michael Brandt
Result: Felony conviction avoided. Mike’s client was charged with Felony Domestic Assault by Strangulation. This charge would normally result in a felony level conviction. However, Mike was able to negotiate a resolution where the matter was sentenced as a gross misdemeanor, avoiding a felony conviction. Mike’s client was placed on probation for two years and ended not have to serve any jail time.
Date: December 2020
Case: Intent to Escape Tax
Attorney: Dani Peden
Result: Dani’s client was charged with Gross Misdemeanor Intent to Escape Tax in Anoka County. Based on a lack of criminal history and proactive efforts done by her client, there was ample negotiation room here. Dani reached out to the prosecutor and highlighted the strengths of her client’s case. Based on these negotiations, Dani was able to secure an agreement where her client would receive a stay of adjudication. As long as Dani’s client has no same or similar offenses, her client’s charge will ultimately be dismissed.
Date: November 2020
Case: 5th Degree Controlled Substance
Attorney: Dani Peden
Result: Dani’s client was charged with Gross Misdemeanor 5th Degree Controlled Substance in Hennepin County. Dani’s client had prior 5th Degree Controlled Substance convictions and thus was susceptible to their charges being aggravated to Felony charges. After reviewing the evidence, Dani was able to negotiate with the prosecutor and reach an agreement where her client plead guilty to Gross Misdemeanor 5th Degree Controlled Substance. In lieu of jail time, Dani’s client was able to serve the remainder of the sentence via community work service. Dani was able to achieve her client’s goal of avoiding a Felony as well as any jail time.
Date: November 2020
Case: Obstruct Legal Process and Disorderly Conduct
Attorney: Nicole A. Kettwick
Result: After a night of drinking at a local restaurant, Nicole’s client got into arguments with the police as they were trying to find him a ride home. He was charged with gross misdemeanor obstructing legal process. Nicole and her client worked together to be proactive, including writing an apology letter, Nicole was able to negotiate with the prosecutor to dismiss the gross misdemeanor charge and stay the jail time for the misdemeanor in place of one year of probation. This resolution allowed Nicole’s client to move forward from this mistake while minimizing the impact the charges could have had on the rest of his life.
Date: November 2020
Case: Gross Misdemeanor DWI
Attorney: Michael J. Brandt
Result: Mike’s client was charged with Third Degree DWI in Sherburne County because of testing more than twice the legal limit. This type of charge often results in jail time in this county. However, Mike was successful in negotiating a reduced charge of Fourth Degree DWI. Mike’s client was sentenced to community work service and a small fine instead of serving any jail time.
Date: November 2020
Case: Gross Misdemeanor DWI
Attorney: Michael J. Brandt
Result: Mike’s client was charged with two DWI Gross Misdemeanors in Ramsey County for testing three times over the legal limit. Even though Mike’s client had a high alcohol reading and a prior DWI within the last 10 years which would have required a mandatory minimum 30 days in jail, Mike worked out a resolution where his client was sentenced to community work service, rather than serving any jail time or house arrest.
Date: November 2020
Case: Gross Misdemeanor DWI
Attorney: Michael J. Brandt
Result: Mike’s client was charged with two DWI Gross Misdemeanors in Ramsey County. This was the client’s third DWI, and the client blew more than double the legal limit. Due to the legal issues in the case as well as some proactive steps that Mike’s client undertook, Mike was able to negotiate a resolution where his client did not serve any jail time and was merely placed on four years of unsupervised probation to the Court.
