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Minneapolis Criminal Defense And Divorce Lawyers

Our Fight Sets Us Apart!

Founded by Attorney Xavier Martine, Martine Law has always been run on the core value of fighting to help others in a tough spot. Xavier served in the United States Navy as a Nuclear Engineer. When he returned to the civilian world, he remained dedicated to serving his country by serving those in the Twin Cities.

Martine’s team is a gritty and straightforward team of legal bulldogs with a deep passion for getting a client back to a better life. Whether you need a criminal defense lawyer or a family law attorney, you can trust Martine Law to get the best possible outcome for your case.

Xavier Martine
Founder of Martine Law

Criminal Defense Attorneys

The legal system is notorious for being confusing and difficult to navigate.

Once you’re in it, getting out will be a dog fight. Laws change frequently, every courtroom operates differently, and the system seldom works in favor of those who brave it alone.

We see it every day—from the complex legal jargon to complicated legal procedure, it’s no wonder that so many people get railroaded into unjust verdicts. Unfortunately, it’s not in the prosecution’s best interest for you to understand what’s going on.

That’s why we’re here—to help you defend yourself.

That’s the reality of the legal system we live under. And in a dog-eat-dog world, you need an attorney who’s not afraid to fight tooth and nail for your freedom. At Martine Law, we protect our clients from a broken system by turning the legal tides in your favor.

Criminal defense is high risk. It’s you against the criminal justice system. And if you make one mistake, you’ll spend the rest of your life paying for it. Whether minor or major, all criminal offenses have consequences, and it’s rarely a question of if but how those consequences will change your life. Getting arrested could mean losing your job, house, and freedom. Even after you get out, you’ll have a criminal record and could potentially lose your rights.

The prosecution is counting on you not to understand the law. If you did, they’d be out of a job. Everywhere you turn, the cards are stacked against you. One wrong move, and it all comes crashing down.

But, you have the power to decide what happens from here. Make the right choice – choose a criminal defense law firm that knows what they’re doing. We’re here to help you fight back against the legal system.

Family Law Attorneys

Family law is complex, high-emotion, and high stakes. You’ve put everything on the line and risk losing it all in one fell swoop. As you move through the divorce process, you risk having your life changed forever.

There are so many questions that can run through your mind. “What’s going to happen to my children? Will I lose my home? How will I afford to live?” The uncertainty is enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed.

Even if the decision to divorce is best for your family, it doesn’t make the stress that arises in family law cases any easier to deal with. At Martine Law, we strive to help our clients sort through these tough emotions by providing fierce, compassionate advocacy that puts your family first.

Why us

Passionate Protection Against:
Trauma from the legal system

because you might have no idea what you did, much less how to get out

Financial Exploitation

by conflict of interests for SOME attorneys who know it is best to keep your legal process going to make more money

Fighting
For Your Freedom:
Your Inalienable Rights

to have your life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness

Better Version

of life, released from daily stress from a terrible marriage

And We Are ON A MISSION to provide you with the best possible legal successes.

Contact Us!
Family
Law

Reviews

Our Process

Contact Us To Get From Rough Times To Good Times

Share Your Current Struggles and Desired Outcomes With Your Team

We Will Navigate Your Case With You And Fight For You!

You Deserve Our Best So We Assign A Team For You

We Will Deliver The Best Strategy To Get You Results

Martine Law - Fighting For You

FAQ

Family Law

What is an uncontested divorce?

When a married couple files for divorce and agrees on all terms set in their divorce agreement—including marital property division, child custody, child support, and alimony —this is considered an uncontested divorce and Minnesota Family Court does not have to give a ruling in the divorce matter.

If the parties cannot come to an agreement on all divorce terms, they will likely face a contested divorce, which could involve negotiations, mediation, and, ultimately, a judge’s ruling on the divorce agreement.

What is the difference between legal and physical custody?

Legal custody refers to a parent’s right to make important decisions for their child. This includes fundamental decisions about the child’s religious upbringing, education, health care, where they’ll live, and other matters.

In Minnesota, joint legal custody is common, which requires co-parents to make these decisions together. In some cases, sole legal custody is awarded to one parent, which gives them total decision-making authority over the child.

Physical custody refers to which parent the child will live with primarily. This parent will provide for the daily needs of the child and have control over their day-to-day routine. Parents can be awarded joint physical custody, which typically means they share an equal amount of parenting time with the child. Sole physical custody doesn’t mean the other parent has no parenting time, but it often lowers the amount of time for the non-custodial parent.

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Minnesota?

While Minnesota courts do not require you to have legal representation during a divorce, having a Minneapolis divorce lawyer on your side is beneficial for many reasons.

If you’re facing a contested divorce, your attorney will be able to represent you in divorce mediation sessions and negotiate terms that benefit you. This is particularly vital when it comes to issues with parenting time, asset division, and spousal support.

Additionally, there is a lot of work involved in a divorce, particularly when it comes to filing important legal documents and ensuring your divorce agreement and terms are both legal and agreeable.

Criminal Defense

What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

The terms “felony” and “misdemeanor” are labels placed on criminal offenses and typically indicate the severity of the crime allegedly committed. Felony charges are more serious offenses and usually risk jail time of more than a year. Misdemeanors are less serious charges and usually result in either no jail time at all or less than one year behind bars.

A gross misdemeanor is another category of Minnesota criminal charges, and the severity of the possible sentence is higher than a misdemeanor but still less severe than a felony.

What constitutional rights do I have if I am charged with a crime?

When you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime, you don’t lose all of your constitutional rights.

Some of the rights you still have include:

Fifth Amendment rights:

  • Protected against double jeopardy
  • Protected against self-incrimination
  • Protected against the government’s seizure of your property without compensation
  • A fair trial
  • A jury trial

Sixth Amendment rights:

  • Knowledge of your accuser
  • Knowledge of your charges
  • An impartial jury
  • The assistance of legal counsel
  • Witnesses to appear in your defense

Additionally, you have the right to be protected against illegal searches and seizures (Fourth Amendment) and cruel and unusual punishment (Eighth Amendment)

To ensure your rights are observed after you’ve been arrested, contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Infringing on the rights of an accused person is a serious matter and a violation of your rights could be used in your defense.

What should I do if I’m arrested?

If you are arrested for a crime, it’s crucial that you know your rights. You don’t have to say anything. In fact, you should never make a statement without first speaking with a lawyer, and you can ask for an attorney immediately upon your arrest or at any point during the questioning or booking process. Your first action in your own defense should be to contact a criminal defense lawyer.

GOING TO COURT?

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