Criminal Defense

Key Takeaways Minnesota’s Castle Doctrine allows you to use force without retreating when defending yourself inside your own home. Minnesota does not have a Stand Your Ground law, meaning you must retreat if it’s safe to do so before using force in public. Minnesota allows self-defense when a person reasonably believes force is necessary to prevent bodily harm or...

The argument got out of hand. Now there are police reports, charges, and a legal process moving faster than you can process what just happened. The person at the center of this is someone you love, or loved, and the collision of those feelings with the reality of a possible felony charge is tough to understand.  You can be...

Criminal Sexual Conduct Laws Cover An Extremely Broad Amount of Behavior Criminal sexual conduct offenses are charged in degrees of seriousness, ranging from extremely serious felony first-degree offenses to gross misdemeanor fifth-degree offenses. The level of offense depends on the nature of the circumstances, the allegations, the amount of available evidence supporting the allegations, and the prior history – if any...

The right to bear arms is a fundamental aspect of our culture and legal framework in the United States. However, firearm regulations, like many laws, vary widely from state to state. For Minnesota residents who want to exercise their Second Amendment right, navigating the state’s gun laws can feel like being stuck in a corn maze. A common question...

A Minnesota prostitution charge can be a life-altering event, causing uncertainty and emotional distress. If you or a loved one has been charged with prostitution, the potential legal consequences and impact on your life can be paralyzing.  To clear up some of that uncertainty, we provide a clear breakdown of Minnesota’s prostitution laws, outlining the different offenses and their...

If you’re facing accusations of sexual misconduct in Minnesota, understanding the state’s age of consent laws is crucial. These laws determine the legal age at which a person can consent to sexual activity. Knowing the age of consent can help you understand your legal rights and responsibilities. Below, our St. Paul criminal sexual conduct lawyer goes over the ins...

If you’re a teacher, therapist, coach, or clergy member facing a Minnesota sexual misconduct accusation, your career, license, and reputation are at risk, often before any trial. These cases fall under Minnesota’s “position of authority” laws, which can carry up to 15 years in prison, mandatory sex-offender registration, and permanent professional consequences. Strong defenses exist, but the window to...

If you just discovered that your child faces a sexual allegation, we know you are encountering a life-altering moment. You likely feel a paralyzing sense of fear and a desperate need to protect your child from a system that can feel cold and unforgiving. These allegations cause immense stress and make you wonder if a single misunderstanding will define...

If you are accused of domestic assault by strangulation, the case can move quickly. Police treat these allegations as high-risk, and prosecutors often file felony charges. Courts typically impose immediate-release conditions that can affect your housing, employment, and contact with your children. These measures usually occur before you have an opportunity to present your side. This overview explains Minnesota’s...

Many criminal cases begin not with an arrest, but with a search. A so-called “quick look” by police can quickly lead to a drug or firearm charge, especially when the search occurs unexpectedly. If you believe officers searched your car, pockets, or home in Eagan without a warrant, the central issue is whether the search was lawful. Understanding Minnesota’s...