Minnesota Criminal Attorneys and Lawyers Answer Common Questions

Who can I discuss my case with?

Do not talk to anyone except your lawyer. Do not make any verbal or written statements to anyone, including the police, regarding any aspect of your criminal case. Anything you say - except to your attorney - may be used against you in a Minnesota court. Anything you say can have a significant impact on your case. One indiscreet word can result in your conviction.

What are the steps involved in a criminal case?

The typical steps for most Minnesota criminal cases include the pre-arrest investigation by the police; the issuance of a criminal complaint; the formal arrest and booking process; the appearance before a judge and the setting of a bail; the initial appearance before a district judge and determining if the accused will be represented by a lawyer; a preliminary hearing in felony cases when an arrest is by a warrant; review of indictments by a grand jury in felony cases; the scheduling of the trial; pretrial motions; arraignment and plea; the trial; a sentencing hearing if found guilty; and, thereafter, the appeal process.

What is a felony and a misdemeanor?

A felony is a criminal charge that provides for incarceration greater than one year. A misdemeanor is a criminal charge that provides for possible incarceration of up to one year. In Minnesota, there are three classes of misdemeanors, with varying degrees of punishment. In Minnesota, felonies are classified by the amount of possible punishment. A misdemeanor is a criminal law that provides for possible incarceration of up to one year and the payment of fines. In Minnesota, there are three classes of misdemeanors with varying degrees of punishment.

What should I know about trials?

Trials are judicial proceedings conducted in a court and designed to reach a decision based upon the facts, common sense, reason and applicable law. The conduct of a trial is governed by numerous rules, presumptions, and procedures designed to promote fairness and justice. Criminal trials involve presentations by lawyers including evidence surrounding allegations of a violation of a criminal statute.

What are the rules of evidence?

The court will rely on the rules of evidence in your case. The rules of evidence control what evidence is material, relevant, and admissible in court. For example, the hearsay rule generally prohibits statements by individuals who are not in court. In addition, certain constitutional requirements may also determine if certain evidence may be used or if it is to be excluded from a trial. Application of these rules is within the sound discretion of the trial judge. The trier of fact, judge or jury in a jury trial, decides the meaning and relative importance of the evidence.

What is the "presumption of innocence"?

Despite being charged with a criminal offense, a defendant is presumed to be innocent. Our attorneys remind jurors of that fact before and during every trial. The prosecuting authorities have the burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. An accused is entitled to this presumption at all stages of their case. Generally, if the trier of fact believes the evidence against an accused is sufficient to prove guilt, the prosecuting authority will have overcome the presumption of innocence.

What is "reasonable doubt"?

Our lawyers spend substantial time explaining this concept to jurors. A reasonable doubt is a doubt based on the judge's or juries sound judgment after a full and impartial consideration of all the evidence of the case. As such, the "reasonable doubt" standard is subjective, ambiguous, and interpretive. It is not an objective standard, and creates uncertainty regarding the outcome of criminal cases.

What is a "guilty plea"?

A guilty plea is an admission that you committed a criminal offense. The effect of a guilty plea admits all the criminal facts alleged and waives your right to defend yourself. No additional facts are needed to reach a verdict. A plea of guilty waives all but jurisdictional objections, impermissible sentence objections, and the objection that no offense is charged. It entirely relieves the prosecution of the burden of proving any facts.

Can I enter into a plea agreement?

A plea agreement, or plea bargain, is an agreement with the prosecuting authority regarding a case. An accused may or may not have the option of entering a plea agreement with the prosecuting authorities. The prosecutor may not want to enter a plea agreement. There are different types of plea agreements. The most common is a plea agreement for a particular sentence. In this situation, the judge may accept or reject the agreement. The agreement will not bind a defendant if rejected and they can withdraw their guilty plea. Then, your lawyer will take the case to trial.

Other types of plea agreements include the prosecuting authority’s recommendation and an agreement not to oppose your request for a particular sentence. These types of plea agreements are not binding on the court, and a defendant cannot withdraw their guilty plea. The court could impose a more severe punishment.

Who makes the decision regarding a plea agreement?

The value of entering a plea agreement is dependent upon the particular facts, merits and circumstances of a case and the risk an accused is willing to assume. The final decision to enter a proposed plea agreement belongs to you. Before entering any proposed plea agreement, an accused should be satisfied that it is in their immediate and long-term interest after discussing it with their lawyer.

Do I have the right to a jury trial?

In most Minnesota criminal cases, the accused has a right to a trial by a jury of their peers. The jury's decision must be unanimous. If the jury is unable to decide, then a case may be retried. The accused does not have a right to a jury trial if there is a guilty plea.

Can I call witnesses on my behalf?

The accused has the right to call witnesses and to present evidence in their own behalf. Witnesses are subject to questioning (cross-examination) by the prosecution. The judge or jury decides whether to believe a witness. The judge or jury can accept or reject the testimony of any witness, in whole or in part, when considered with other evidence.

The accused also has a right to compel the attendance of witnesses to court by a subpoena. The accused should provide the witnesses' names, addresses, telephone, a written summary of their testimony, and whether you believe they will be a favorable or unfavorable witnesses. You should always timely subpoena any witness. If you do not subpoena a witness, and they do not appear on the trial date, the judge may require you to proceed, even though the witness is not present. If you subpoena the witness, and they are served, and the witness does not appear, then there is a greater chance that the judge will continue the case.

Can I testify?

A criminal defendant has the right to testify but is not required to do so. This is his or her decision. If a defendant does testify, he or she waives the privilege of not giving evidence against themselves. An accused will be subject to all the rules of cross-examination as any other witness. They may not testify just to events and circumstances that merely supports his or her defense, and selectively suppress other relevant facts and matters that incriminates them.

The trier of fact can view testimony in a positive or negative manner, and may believe or disbelieve what is said. The judge or jury will have the opportunity to listen to what is said, observe the witnesses' demeanor, and then decide the significance of the testimony, within the context of all the evidence. You should consider the pros and cons of testifying, as testimony could affect a finding of guilt, innocence, or your sentence.

Are there other consequences that I should consider?

Yes. If you are found guilty, including pleading guilty, there can be significant consequences beyond your immediate case. Such matters may include without limitation civil matters, domestic matters, military matters, employment matters, prior criminal or traffic matters, immigration matters, and other rights and privileges of citizenship. Importantly, prior suspended criminal sentences could be revoked.

Can your firm guarantee dismissal of the charges?

While our lawyers know the criminal justice system very well, and have secured many dismissals, there are no guarantees. Despite elaborate rules and procedures designed to promote accuracy and reliability, the judicial process is not perfect. Evidence and facts presented at trial may differ with one’s expectations; witnesses may lie; honest witnesses may not be believed; or judges or juries may have differing views regarding the law or evidence. Consequently, there is always an element of risk going to court, and guaranteed outcomes are generally impossible.

What are your fees?

Every case is unique. We usually will not set a fee without first conducting an initial consultation, during which we can learn from the client all the facts and circumstances involved in their case. We welcome you to contact our lawyers to discuss your situation.

Reputable criminal defense attorneys charge flat fees, which entitle the client to representation throughout the case. These fees are required to be paid in full in advance of representation, and do not go up or down depending upon the number of hours the lawyer works on the case.

As with other service providers, you usually get what you pay for when it comes to a criminal defense lawyer. Quality representation in criminal matters costs thousands of dollars. The more serious or complicated the case, the higher the fee will be. We invite you to contact us to discuss your case for a precise retainer amount.