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Representative Cases

The outcome of every case depends on a variety of factors, including the facts in your case, the law that applies to your case, the judge who is assigned to your case, the lawyer who is prosecuting your case, and who your criminal defense attorney is. While past performance does not guarantee future results, successful outcomes for clients are a good indication of the quality of a lawyer’s representation. Here are a few examples of recent successful outcomes I have achieved for my clients.

Drunk Driving And Implied Consent License Revocation

In 2004, I represented a client in Washington County who was charged with fourth-degree misdemeanor DUI. After convincing a judge to rescind my client’s license revocation due to an illegal stop, I persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss the DUI charge in exchange for a stay of adjudication on a charge of careless driving, thereby keeping both my client’s driving record and criminal record clean.

In 2006, I represented a client in Dakota County charged with third-degree gross misdemeanor DUI and refusal to submit to testing. After convincing a judge to rescind my client’s license revocation due to her physical inability to provide an adequate sample of her breath for analysis, I persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss the DUI charge in exchange for a stay of adjudication on a charge of careless driving, thereby keeping both my client’s driving record and criminal record clean.

In 2007, I represented a client in Scott County charged with third-degree gross misdemeanor DUI and misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident. I persuaded an Assistant Attorney General to rescind my client’s license revocation administratively due a warrantless search of her home and her illegal arrest. Following a contested omnibus hearing in the criminal case, I convinced the judge to suppress all evidence obtained as a result of the warrantless search and illegal arrest (including the .21 blood test result), and to dismiss the DUI charge. I then persuaded the prosecutor to continue for dismissal the leaving the scene of an accident charge, thereby keeping both my client’s driving record and criminal record clean.

In 2008, I represented a client in Carver County charged with second-degree gross misdemeanor DUI and refusal to submit to testing. After convincing the judge to rescind my client’s license revocation and plate impoundment order because she offered to take a test after she initially refused, I persuaded the prosecutor to allow my client to plead to a misdemeanor DUI and to dismiss the forfeiture proceedings against her car.

In 2008, I represented a client in Scott County charged with third-degree gross misdemeanor DUI and misdemeanor obstructing legal process. After convincing the judge to rescind my client’s license revocation because the state would not disclose the Intoxilyzer source code, I persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss the DUI charges and allow my client to enter a plea to misdemeanor obstructing legal process charges with no jail.

In 2008, I represented a client in Dakota County charged with first-degree felony DUI. I convinced the judge to dismiss the felony charges for a lack of probable cause to believe that my client had three prior DUI convictions in the past ten years and to sentence him to no jail on a plea to second-degree gross misdemeanor DUI.

In 2009, I represented a client in Dakota County charged with second-degree gross misdemeanor DUI, theft, possession of stolen property, and trespass. After persuading an Assistant Attorney General to rescind my client’s license revocation administratively, because the controlled substance found in his urine sample was not a Schedule I or II controlled substance, I persuaded a prosecutor to dismiss the gross misdemeanor DUI, theft, and possession of stolen property charges in exchange for a plea to misdemeanor trespass.

In 2009, I represented a client in Stearns County charged with second-degree gross misdemeanor DUI and refusal to submit to testing. I convinced the judge to rescind my client’s license revocation on the grounds that the police violated his right to consult with an attorney before making a testing decision and that my client never actually refused to test.

Sex Crimes

In 2006, I represented a client in Dakota County charged with third-degree felony criminal sexual conduct for having sex with his girlfriend’s underage sister. I raised a mistake of age defense in which I had the burden of proving to the jury by a preponderance of the evidence that my client honestly believed that his girlfriend’s sister was at least 16 years old. After a one week trial, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

In 2006, I represented a client in Scott County who was being investigated for third-degree felony criminal sexual conduct for having sex with an underage minor. I convinced an Assistant Scott County Attorney not to file any charges against my client.

In 2007, I represented a client in Anoka County charged with felony criminal sexual conduct in the third and fourth degree. While represented by another lawyer, my client had entered a guilty plea. After convincing the judge to allow my client to withdraw his guilty plea, I persuaded the prosecutor to allow him to enter an Alford plea to gross misdemeanor fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct with a stay of adjudication and no jail time, thereby keeping my client’s record clean and preventing him from having to complete sex offender treatment and register as a sex offender.

In 2009, I represented a client in Rice County charged with two counts of third-degree felony criminal sexual conduct and one count of fifth-degree gross misdemeanor criminal sexual conduct. The alleged victim claimed she had been forcibly raped by my client after he gave her a date rape drug. After a one week trial the jury returned verdicts of not guilty on all counts.

In 2009, I represented a client in Washington County charged with third-degree felony criminal sexual conduct. The alleged victim claimed my client sexually assaulted her while she was asleep or passed out. After a one week trial the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

In 2009, I represented a client in Hennepin County who was being investigated for third-degree felony criminal sexual conduct for having sex with an underage minor. I convinced an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney not to file any charges against my client.

Theft, Fraud And White Collar Crimes

In 2005, I represented a client indicted in federal court in Minnesota for stealing over $80,000 of mortgaged property. I convinced the judge to sentence my client to two years of probation with 60 days of home detention and 50 hours of community service.

In 2007, I represented a client in McLeod County charged with stealing over $100,000 worth of property. After a one week jury trial, I convinced the judge to find my client not guilty.

In 2008, I represented a client under federal investigation in Minnesota for fraudulently obtaining over $60,000 of federal workers’ compensation. After negotiating a plea agreement with a federal prosecutor which allowed my client to plead guilty to making a false statement to obtain approximately $2,000 of federal workers’ compensation, I convinced the judge to sentence my client to five years probation and payment of restitution.

In 2008, I represented a client in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, charged with three counts of felony theft of over $10,000 by false representation. I persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss all charges in exchange for payment of restitution.

In 2008, I represented a client indicted in federal court in Minnesota for three counts of tax evasion and three counts of filing false tax returns. The government claimed my client failed to pay almost $90,000 in taxes. After conducting two lengthy Kastigar hearings, I convinced the district court judge to dismiss all charges due to a violation of an immunity agreement.

In 2009, I represented a client under investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department for financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. I convinced an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney not to file any charges against my client.

Domestic Violence, Assault, Homicide And Other Crimes

In 2006, I represented a client in Dakota County charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, second-degree assault, and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery. After persuading the prosecutor to dismiss the murder and assault charges in exchange for a guilty plea to the conspiracy charge, I convinced the judge to sentence my client to only two years in prison.

In 2006, I represented a client in Dakota County charged with gross misdemeanor child endangerment. After conducting a pretrial hearing, I convinced the judge to dismiss the charges for a lack of probable cause.

In 2007, I represented a client in Hennepin County charged with two counts of felony stalking. After conducting a lengthy pretrial hearing, I convinced the judge to suppress evidence obtained as a result of unlawful searches and seizures and to dismiss all charges due to a lack of probable cause.

In 2007, I represented a client in Hennepin County charged with misdemeanor obstructing legal process. On the day of trial, I persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss the charges.

In 2007, I represented a client in Scott County charged with a misdemeanor violation of a harassment restraining order. I persuaded the prosecutor to continue the case for six months for dismissal without a guilty plea.

In 2007, I represented a client in Hennepin County charged with felony fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle. I persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss the felony charge in exchange for a plea to misdemeanor failure to yield to an emergency vehicle with no jail and a $50 fine.

In 2008, I represented a client in Dakota County charged with felony terroristic threats. After conducting a pretrial hearing, I convinced the judge to dismiss the charge for a lack of probable cause.

In 2008, I represented a client in Grant County charged with felony first-degree arson. After conducting a two-day pretrial hearing, I convinced the judge to dismiss the charge for a lack of probable cause.

In 2009, I represented a client in Scott County charged with fifth-degree domestic assault, violation of a domestic abuse no contact order, and violation of an order for protection. On the day of trial, I persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss the order for protection and domestic abuse no contact order violations and to continue the domestic assault charge for one year for dismissal.

In 2009, I represented a client under investigation by the Eden Prairie Police Department for child endangerment. I convinced the detective not to seek any charges against my client.

Civil Liberties

In 2006, as an ACLU-MN volunteer attorney, I represented a client in Hennepin County charged with violating Minneapolis’ Photo Cop Ordinance. I convinced the judge to dismiss the charge because the ordinance violated state law. When Minneapolis appealed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, I similarly convinced the appellate court that the ordinance was illegal. When Minneapolis appealed to the Minnesota Supreme Court, I also convinced that court that the ordinance was unlawful. As a result, Minneapolis dismissed thousands of Photo Cop tickets, refunded over $2,000,000 of fines it collected in the five months Photo Cop existed, and the state expunged all Photo Cop convictions from driving records.

In 2008, I coordinated the ACLU-MN “Pinstripe Brigade” of volunteer lawyers who represented protesters during the four days of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.

In 2009, as an ACLU-MN volunteer attorney, I represented a client in charged with illegally honking her horn to support the message of peace protesters at a busy intersection in Burnsville. I persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss the charges against my client and enter into a consent decree with the ACLU-MN, agreeing that Burnsville would not ticket people for exercising their first amendment freedoms by honking their horns in support of protesters’ signs reading “Honk for Peace.”