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Many people have heard of an Alford plea, but not many people truly understand what it means to make an Alford plea. This blog will explain what an Alford plea is and how an Alford plea is entered in court.
The Minnesota Supreme Court has recently agreed to hear a case involving the use of drug detection dogs inside secure apartment buildings. The Supreme Court's ruling is likely to impact how police use their drug detection dogs as well as the privacy rights enjoyed by ordinary citizens.
A common misconception is that officers must read someone their rights when placing them under arrest. However, what is portrayed on tv is not consistent with what is required by law. This blog examines when officers are required to read a suspect their rights, also known as providing a Miranda warning.
One of the forgotten penalties of a DWI conviction in Minnesota, is losing your license for a specified amount of time to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. After receiving a DWI in the state of Minnesota, you are subject to losing your driver's license for at least 90 days. Work permits ...
More than 5,000 underage students die each year from alcohol-related incidents, with nearly 40 percent being a direct result following a drinking and driving crash, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Those fortunate enough to survive an underage drinking and driv...
If you are convicted of a DWI/DUI, you could face serious criminal, civil and professional consequences as a result. Those consequences will be even more severe if you carry a commercial driver's license (CDL). The effects of a DWI/DUI on your commercial driver's licensecan be catastrophic. If y...
Under current Minnesota DWI law, police can seize and forfeit the vehicle you were driving when arrested for DUI/DWI. If certain legal factors are met, the police will provide you with a Notice of Vehicle Forfeiture and seize your car. The legal right, title, and interest in the vehicle immediate...
Minnesota DUI laws are segmented into first, second, third and fourth degrees. The lower the severity of the offense, the higher the degree of the charge. The degree of your DWI/DUI is based on what we call aggravating factors. Aggravating factors are prior DWI/DUI's in the past 10 years, having ...
What began as a routine traffic stop in 2010 worked its way up to the United States Supreme Court in 2013. Today, we'll take a deeper look at the case of Missouri vs. Tyler G. McNeely, warrantless blood testing and what it means in Minnesota. Missouri vs. McNeely On October 3, 2010, patrolman M...
After being convicted of a DWI or DUI in the state of Minnesota, the offender is subject to civil and criminal penalties that vary depending on the level and severity of the DWI or DUI arrest. The penalty level is based on the number of times an individual has been found guilty of alcohol-relate...
If you are pulled over for suspected DWI in the state of Minnesota, you may be asked to provide a breath test to the responding officer. This will allow the officer to measure your blood alcohol content (BAC). In the state of Minnesota, the legal limit is .08, and if your test result shows above ...
Money laundering is one of several crimes commonly referred to as white-collar crimes. These crimes can also be called economic crimes or corporate crimes. Bribery, conspiracy, embezzlement, extortion and counterfeiting are other examples of white collar crimes. White collar crimes are typically ...
Experienced defense attorneys know that no two DWI cases are the same. Each case is different and involves numerous circumstances. But while every DWI case is different in its nuances; the elements required for the state to obtain a DWI conviction remain the same. What are they and why do they ma...
Fifth degree drug crimes are the least severe of all the classes of drug crimes in the state of Minnesota. However, it is important to remember that even a fifth degree drug charge is still a felony level charge. Today we're going to look at what makes up a fifth degree drug crime and what it tak...
As we continue our blog series reviewing the various degrees of drug crimes in the state of Minnesota, today we're going to look at fourth degree drug crimes and what sellers and possessors must be suspected of in order to be charged with a fourth degree drug crime. Let's begin. Sales crimes In...
While individuals guilty of first and second degree drug crimes face the most severe penalties, a third degree drug crime conviction still carries serious consequences. Remember, this is still a felony charge and one that carries the potential for a lengthy prison sentence and heavy fines. So wh...
The issue of implied consent and DWI test refusal has played out in some very prominent cases over the past year. Last summer, the United States Supreme Court issued what many called a landmark ruling in the case of Missouri vs. McNeely. The Minnesota Supreme Court also issued a definitive ruling...
In our previous blog we discussed the consequences a person could face if they are convicted of a first degree drug crime. We also looked at how a person can be charged with a first degree drug crime for selling or possessing a controlled substance. So now that we've explored first degree drug c...
As we said in our previous blog, charges for a first degree drug crimee carry some of the most severe consequences possible for a drug-related offense. If you are convicted of a first degree drug crime, you could face severe fines and prison sentences. So how can a person be charged with a first ...
Like DUI, drug crimes in the state of Minnesota are prosecuted based on varying degrees of severity. If you are facing drug related charges, understanding the different degrees of drug crimes is important so you understand the corresponding consequences if you are charged with each of these crime...
A very interesting case just finished running its way through the Minnesota Court system and is now being deliberated by the Minnesota Supreme Court. It is a case, Axelberg vs, Minnesota, that begs the question: “Does the necessity defense supersede DUI?” Today we're going to look at the case of...
It may be tough to believe it by looking out the window, but spring is almost here. If you have teenagers in your home, especially high school seniors, this will be a time of celebrating with proms and graduations on the horizon. And as you prepare for these parties, the subject of serving alcoho...
Obtaining a real search warrant isn't as easy as it appears in television crime dramas. It requires law enforcement officers to establish probable cause and have a strong foundation for the request before they seek the warrant. Today, we're going to look at what that foundation includes. The fir...
In a new unpublished court of appeals opinion , the nature of consent was clarified by the court. In State v. Drum, the state appealed a suppression of evidence from Drum's breathalyzer test that was granted by the district court. The state argued that the respondent voluntarily consented to the...
The United States Attorney of the Southern District of New York has brought charges against Bitcoin exchangers, including the CEO of a Bitcoin exchange company called BitInstant. The other defendant was using bit coin through a website called Silk Road, which is alleged to be used for selling ill...
Whether you need assistance evaluating your DWI or criminal case, guidance on a current situation or advice when the police are at your door, legal help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges or a DWI, contact Eric J. Olson. Mr. Olson is always glad to meet with you for a free consultation at his office in the Minneapolis metro area or any convenient location. If you find yourself in jail or any emergency situation, call Olson Defense before you talk to the police.