Criminal Defense
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When you’re up against serious criminal charges, it can feel like you vs. the world.
If that’s your reality, you need a criminal defense law firm as invested in your freedom as you are. At Martine Law, our firm represents clients accused of crimes ranging from petty misdemeanors to serious felonies.
We provide criminal defense services like DWI defense, expungements, and litigation, working on a range of criminal defense cases.
Every moment counts in your case, so make the most of it by contacting a Minneapolis criminal defense attorney to schedule your free consultation today.
The Cost of a Criminal Conviction: Minnesota Criminal Offense Levels and Penalties
Criminal offenses – whether minor or major – are nothing to bat an eye at. You could face serious penalties and lose your family, career, and future. Criminal charges are subject to Minnesota’s stringent sentencing guidelines, and they could leave you serving time, paying fines, or both.
Here’s what you could face if convicted:
- Petty misdemeanor
– Fine of up to $300
– Example: traffic violations - Misdemeanor
– 90 days in jail
– Fine of up to $1,000
– Examples: first-time DWI and simple assault - Gross misdemeanor
– One year in jail
– Fine of up to $3000
– Examples: second DWI and property theft of $500-$1,000 - Felony
– One year to life in prison
– One year to life in prison
These penalties are not all-encompassing. Depending on your charges, criminal history, and the legal system, you could incur enhanced penalties, spend extra time in jail, and pay additional fines.
As your criminal defense attorney, we want to help. At Martine Law, we will provide aggressive legal representation on your behalf. Our sole purpose is to protect your freedom.
A Criminal Defense Lawyers Guide to How You Can Help Your Case
The reality is – part of the criminal justice system’s job is to lock people up. Your job, and ours, is to keep that from happening.
Here are four ways you can help your case.
- Remain silent. Provide your identifying information to the officers but nothing more. You do not have to answer their questions. Respectfully assert your right to silence, and do not self-incriminate.
- Be respectful. If you’re being arrested, investigated, or questioned about a crime, they already think you’ve done it. Don’t make the situation worse by becoming defensive or resisting arrest.
- Get a clear understanding of your charges. If it wasn’t explained to you, respectfully ask what charges you are facing.
- Consult with a criminal defense lawyer. There’s no shame in asking for help. Your freedom is on the line, and you shouldn’t leave it up to the legal system to appoint an attorney. Get a free consultation with a criminal law specialist today.
When you’re facing charges, you need a qualified criminal defense firm that understands the gravity of what you’re up against. Make our team at Martine Law your first call.
We Handle All Types of Criminal Charges in Minneapolis, MN
State data shows that criminal charges in Minneapolis, MN, are increasing yearly. Assault offenses alone have increased by 9.8% since 2021.
Indeed, sometimes people do bad things. But it’s also true that the criminal justice system sometimes railroads good people.
At Martine Law, we believe that criminal defense matters, and at our law firm, we stand beside those facing charges, fighting for favorable outcomes to get them the second chance they deserve.
We oversee the following types of criminal cases.
DWI
If you have been charged with a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) in Minnesota, you must assert your constitutional rights immediately. A DWI conviction can have serious and lasting consequences, including future employment prospects, housing, and the ability to get credit. Both first-time offenders and repeat offenders face mandatory fines and penalties. Additionally, a host of related offenses may also be implicated if you are charged with a DWI.
Drug Charges
Anyone possessing any controlled substance or narcotic drug in Minnesota without a valid prescription may be charged with drug charges and could face imprisonment and/or fines.
We know how drug offenses impact professional licenses and employment or educational opportunities. Martine Law will fight for you so you can move forward with your life.
Assault
You may feel stressed, frightened, and worried when accused of a crime like assault or domestic violence. Martine Law can guide you through the court system and make sure your constitutional rights are protected. At our law firm, we have the experience to anticipate the state’s arguments and will prepare the strongest possible defense for you.
Theft
Any criminal charge can have lasting consequences on a person’s life. This is especially true for theft-related convictions. In addition to jail time and a criminal record, a theft conviction can result in, among other things, employers denying an employment opportunity.
Burglary Charges
One of the most common criminal charges in Minnesota is burglary. It is a very serious offense that carries severe penalties. Police pursue suspected burglars aggressively. If you’ve been charged with this offense, you need an experienced attorney to help you mount an effective defense. Martine Law may be able to help you with your case.
Traffic Offenses
Almost every driver has been pulled over by the police for a traffic violation that may seem insignificant. However, even minor traffic offenses have consequences. For example, Minnesota records each moving violation on your driving record. Those violations affect your insurance rates. The state will suspend your license if you accumulate too many moving violations.
Harassment Charges
In Minnesota, a harassment charge may include many kinds of conduct. It is often charged as a Domestic Abuse No Contact Order (DANCO), Order for Protection (OFP), or a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO). These charges should be taken seriously, as they can result in negative consequences for the rest of your life.
Driver’s License Suspension
Most people rely on the ability to drive in every aspect of their lives, including traveling to and from work and caring for family members. The future can be uncertain when a potential driver’s license suspension threatens that ability. You may be concerned about how you will take care of daily responsibilities without a license.
Expungements
Don’t let your past hold you back. An old arrest or a criminal legal proceeding on your record can hold you back despite never being found guilty of a crime in some circumstances. Potential employers, landlords, loan officers, and college admissions officers may misunderstand your record and get the wrong impression of you. You could lose out on opportunities because you are viewed as a criminal when you are an upstanding citizen.
When your criminal record hurts your education, career, and well-being, you should consider expungement and whether this process is right for you. When you expunge a criminal record it removes your criminal file from the court and public records, which means it will not appear on a background check. If the court approves an expungement, then it is as if that arrest, detainment, or proceeding never happened.
Probation Violations
If you’ve violated your probation, you may have a warrant for your arrest. You can call (612) 348-2000, 24/7, to check for a warrant. A probation violation can quickly turn into a conviction with lifelong consequences. A simple violation can extend the duration of your probation term or, at worst, land you in jail or prison.
If you need help fighting your criminal case, contact us.
Your Rights in a Criminal Investigation
Being charged with a crime can be an overwhelming experience. The investigation leading up to arrest and subsequent evidence gathering can be confusing. You may be unsure of what to do and how to interact with the police and investigators. It’s important to know that during state criminal investigations, you have rights.
Fourth Amendment Rights
The purpose of the Fourth Amendment is to protect citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. It states that, except in certain circumstances, police must obtain a search warrant before searching you, your home, or your car. To get a search warrant, the police must properly request one from a judge. The judge will only issue a warrant if the police officer establishes probable cause that the evidence of a crime will be found on the person or premises they would like to search.
While the search is being performed, the police must stay within the scope of the warrant. For instance, if the warrant is for drugs, the police have the right to go through drawers and cupboards. However, if the warrant is for a stolen automobile, the police cannot go through drawers, cupboards, and other places that would be too small to hide a car.
Fifth Amendment Rights
Many people have heard the term “pleading the fifth” but do not know what it means. This phrase refers to the Fifth Amendment, which states that nobody can be forced to provide evidence or bear witness against themselves in a criminal case. If the police ask you if you’ve committed a crime and answering would incriminate you, you can remain silent.
The Fifth Amendment relates to the Miranda warning that law enforcement officers must state when arresting someone. The Miranda warning states: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney and to have an attorney during any questioning.” When questioned by the police, you have a right to remain silent and seek legal assistance. You should never answer questions about the crime until you’ve consulted with an attorney.
Sixth Amendment Rights
The Sixth Amendment gives you the right to an attorney during interrogation, trial, sentencing, and the initial criminal appeal of a conviction. It also guarantees that you have the right to a jury, the right to have the jury listen to all witnesses and see all evidence, the right to be present during your trial, and the right to question any witnesses who are building a case against you. In addition, it gives you the right to have your own witnesses, the right to testify yourself, and the right to have the state prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
How Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Protect Your Rights
During a criminal investigation, it’s crucial that you exercise your right to hire a Minnesota criminal defense lawyer from Martine Law. With legal representation by your side, you can ensure that your Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights are protected and reduce your chances of a criminal conviction. You can count on our law firm to represent you during every step of the investigation.
Minnesota Criminal Process Timeline
Preparation for the legal process is important to your case. The courts tend to move fast, so we have to move faster.
Our criminal defense lawyers will prep you on what to expect at each level and how we can leverage it to get the best outcome in your case.
Arrest
You’re arrested, booked, fingerprinted, photographed, and jailed. Don’t worry – under Minnesota law, you must be brought before the judge within 36 hours of your arrest.
First Appearance in Criminal Court (Arraignment)
You will make your first appearance in court, where the judge will formally read your rights and the charges against you. You will have the opportunity to plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest to these charges.
Omnibus Hearing (Pre-trial Conference)
Our criminal defense attorney will work with the prosecution to determine whether your case can proceed without a trial. This is where we will present our criminal defense strategy to get your charges reduced or dropped entirely. We’ll proceed to trial if we can’t agree on a resolution.
Criminal Trial
A jury trial doesn’t mean the end of your case. The prosecution is tasked with proving your charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Our criminal defense attorneys are well-versed in litigation, and we defend clients vigorously in court.
Sentencing
The judge will provide sentencing for your charges if you are found guilty at trial. Your criminal defense lawyer and the prosecution will provide insight into what fair sentencing would be.
Contact a Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Time is of the essence. Our law office has represented clients across Minnesota in state and federal courts. Time has taught us not to bet on the system when you need a criminal law specialist on your case.
Our criminal defense law firm is dedicated to seeing justice done in your case.
Our Minneapolis criminal defense lawyers have spent time defending clients facing criminal charges in serious criminal cases. We pride ourselves on building a strong attorney-client relationship and on our aggressive representation. Whether you’ve been charged with drug crimes, domestic assault, criminal sexual conduct, or something else, we love helping our clients reach that not-guilty verdict.
So don’t leave your case up to fate. Contact our criminal lawyers at Martine Law today for your free consultation.
