There is one simple rule to remember when questioned by the police: say nothing without legal counsel present.  No matter what a detective or patrolman tells a suspect, the Fifth Amendment is in place to protect criminal defendants from having to testify if doing so might incriminate them.  It also covers those interviews leading up […]

When searching for a defense attorney, individuals can become overwhelmed with the options. After all, with so many lawyers to choose from, how can anyone know what to look for and who to choose? The list below highlights what individuals in need of a defense attorney should look for when hiring a lawyer: Experience: Just as an individual would […]

A common question that comes up is whether you should talk to the police before you’ve been charged. Most people want to state their side of the story and hopefully avoid prosecution. However, as the Miranda warning states, anything you say can be used against you. As with most legal questions, there is no clear […]

First Appearance for Minnesota Criminal Case As a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney, the first thing many people ask when they call is what will happen at their first appearance.  Although it varies depending on the charge and the county, three things typically happen at your first court appearance: Bail or conditions of release will be […]

In the last post, I discussed the roles a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney plays when handling a criminal or DWI matter.  With these roles in mind, what are helpful criteria to look at when selecting a Minnesota criminal defense lawyer?  Of course, selecting a lawyer depends upon the particular person and matter involved, but here […]

Under Minnesota law, one basis for getting a DWI is to drive a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration over 0.08.  How do police officers determine a person’s blood alcohol level?  There are three types of testing currently used in Minnesota: Breath Test The breath test requires a person to blow a few samples into a […]

When can the police pull you over? Under Minnesota and U.S. law, a police officer cannot stop you for an arbitrary reason.  Often, the police officer needs “reasonable suspicion” to pull you over.  Reasonable suspicion basically means that the police officer has some articulable reason to suspect criminal activity.  It doesn’t mean that there is […]