Brandt Criminal Defense News

Summer is upon us which means the kids are off school for a couple of months. It also means that many youth are spending more time at the mall, on the streets and in the shops. If your youth has gotten himself or herself in trouble over the school holidays and is facing a juvenile conviction, it is a smart move to contact an experienced Minnesota juvenile lawyer as soon as possible.

Juvenile Crime Cases

Juvenile crimes are classified as any crime committed by someone under the age of 18. Most juvenile crimes are misdemeanor offenses and may include:

• Petty theft – any theft under $500 is considered petty theft
• Petty offenses – these are offenses that are not considered crimes for those over the age of 21 but are if younger, such as smoking and disobeying curfew
• Shoplifting – most shoplifting crimes are committed by those under the age of 18
• Employee theft – employee theft can happen at any age and includes instances of stealing office supplies, voiding receipts to pocket the money, stealing from the cash register, taking stock without paying for it and switching price tags
• Traffic violations – including texting while driving, speeding and reckless driving
• Open bottle law – having alcohol in a public place
• Disturbing the peace – throwing loud parties, loitering, fighting and any other boisterous behavior is considered an offense

Facing a juvenile charge? What is at stake?

A juvenile conviction may not seem like that big of a deal but it can haunt your record and your future forever. Even if you avoid jail time, you could still be looking at electronic monitoring, house arrest, counseling, driving training, fines and community service. You could also be looking at a black mark on your driving record as well as your criminal record. This can (and in most instances, will), be accessed by potential colleges, landlords and employees making it hard to move on with your life past this conviction.

If you have been arrested for a juvenile crime, then your punishment will not only depend on the circumstances surrounding your case, but also at the evidence, where the crime was committed and who is overseeing the case. In an effort to rehabilitate the youth, Minnesota judges tend to be strict when it comes to juvenile cases. Your best defense against any juvenile arrest, regardless of how petty it may seem, is an experienced Minneapolis juvenile lawyer.

Don’t let a juvenile charge affect the rest of your life. Protect your rights and your reputation as well as your future. If you or someone you love is facing a criminal conviction, then now is the time to step up and fight back. Contact Anoka criminal lawyer Michael Brandt at 763-421-6366 for a free, no obligation consultation

Have you been arrested of a DUI? Is this your first offense? Are you unsure whether to hire a lawyer, to accept the consequences or to try and defend yourself? When it comes to first degree DUI offenses, it may seem like a waste of time and money to hire a Minnesota DWI attorney. After all, this was just a one-off thing right? The judge will know this and let you off with a warning, right? Unfortunately, this is most likely not the case.

Do I Need a Minnesota DWI Attorney?

There is a good chance that, if this is your first offense, you will not go to jail, unless you are convicted of a series gross misdemeanor or felony offense. However, there is still a lot at stake including license suspension and fines. Even first time offenders can lose their license for anywhere from 30 to 365 days. In some instances you may be issued ‘whisky plates’. Either way, this can negatively impact your personal and professional life. Most of us rely on our cars to get to work, to get errands done and to get around town. It can be embarrassing and frustrating having to whisk the kids off to school in a vehicle with ‘whisky plates’ or having to rely on your colleague to drive you to and from work for three months.

Even one minor DWI offense will go on both your driving record and your criminal record. You can kiss low cost insurance rates goodbye and you may also have a hard time finding decent employment, housing and financial assistance in the future. After all, landlords, employers and lending companies often include a background check as part of the application process.

Repeat Offenders and Advice

Repeat offenders will need a Minnesota DUI lawyer. As every subsequent DWI arrest is made more severe, you will want to lower your risk of conviction as best as possible. In general, the better defense you have, the better outcome you will be granted. Keep in mind that three repeat DUI charges is considered a felony offense – this is something all Minnesota drivers will want to avoid.

The Bottom Line of Minnesota DUI Arrests…

If you have been arrested for a DWI offense, regardless of if this is your first or fifth offense, a phone call to a Minneapolis DWI lawyer can make all the difference in the world. Look for an experienced Minnesota DWI attorney that provides 24/7 service as well as a free initial consultation. Keep in mind that, in all Minnesota counties, you only have 30 days to contest a DUI arrest which means the sooner you act, the better your chances will be.

Don’t let DUI charge affect the rest of your life. Protect your rights, your driving record and reputation as well as your personal and professional life. If you or someone you love is facing a criminal conviction, then now is the time to step up and fight back. Contact Anoka criminal lawyer Michael Brandt at 763-421-6366 for a free, no obligation consultation

Facing license suspension? Unfortunately this is a serious and very annoying punishment for those who have acted recklessly on and off the road. If you are facing a license suspension, it is in your best interest to contact a Minneapolis traffic offense lawyer. You may be able to get your suspension reduced or completely cleared allowing you to get behind the wheel faster and move on with your life.

Why Was My License Suspended?

There are a number of reasons why you could have had your license taken away including the following:

• - DWI offenses - This is one of the most common reasons for license suspension or license revocation across the state of Minnesota. Minnesota courts are strict when it comes to DUI offenses and, even if you are a first time offender, you could lose your license for a certain period of time. You could also have your license suspended for commercial driver DUI, underage DWI, BWI, AWI, SWI offenses and felony DUI
• Test refusal – if you are pulled over and refuse to take any of the DWI tests, you could also lose your license if convicted of a DWI offense.
• Criminal vehicular homicide – if you are involved in any CVO or CVH case, then license suspension is most likely the least of your worries. You could also be looking at a felony conviction, jail time and hefty fines.
• Traffic offenses – this includes anything from speeding, texting while driving, reckless driving or negligent driving

In some instances, you may face license suspension even if you were not arrested for a DWI or traffic violation including:

• Failure to pay child support
• Drug charges
• Failure to pay fines
• Failure to appear for traffic tickets
• Out of state convictions

Minneapolis License Suspension Laws

Your license suspension will depend on the circumstances surrounding your case and the reason for suspension. Below is a guideline to some of the suspensions you could be looking at if facing a DWI conviction:

• 30 days for first time offenders, in some situations
• 90 days for additional DUI offenders
• 180 days for drivers under the age of 21
• 180 days if the driver has a prior impaired driving incident in the previous ten years
• 365 days for test refusal convictions

Facing License Suspension – What Next?

Keep in mind that, regardless of the level of suspension you are looking at, you only have 30 days to challenge a license suspension which means the sooner you act, the better your chances will be.

Don’t let a traffic violation affect the rest of your life. Protect your rights, your driving record and reputation as well as your personal and professional life. If you or someone you love is facing a criminal conviction, then now is the time to step up and fight back. Contact Anoka criminal lawyer Michael Brandt at 763-421-6366 for a free, no obligation consultation

If you have been arrested, accused or charged with a DWI in Minnesota, then you may have heard about the alcohol ignition interlock device. This is a new device that has come into play across the state of Minnesota in 2009. Prior to the introduction Minnesota was one of only five states that did not have this type of program for DUI offenders.

How the Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device Works

The alcohol ignition interlock is a small device about the size of a calculator that is connected to the ignition system in your car. Before your car will start, the offender will need to blow into a tube that tests the level of alcohol. If the driver blows below the legal limit (or, in some instances, at zero), then the car will start.
However, the alcohol ignition interlock device will also require the driver to blow into the machine at 15 minute intervals on the road. This is to ensure that the driver is not tricking the system and letting someone else blow into the device. Some devices also have a video camera attached to the system. While the car will not suddenly stop on the highway if you do blow over, it will record the results and inform the probate officers and court of the offense.

Alcohol Ignition Interlock Costs and Concerns – Minneapolis DUI Lawyer

While the alcohol ignition interlock system is helping DWI offenders remain safe on the road, it is also quite expensive. The device costs around $90 to install and anywhere from $60 to $125 per month to maintain. Furthermore, it is also extremely inconvenient and many drivers find it invasive and intrusive.
You may be looking at the alcohol ignition interlock device if you have been convicted of any DUI offense on the road. Some judges will offer this device as a way to keep drivers on the road after they have served their sentence. First DUI offenders may still need to install the alcohol ignition interlock device before being allowed behind the wheel again.

If you are concerned about your legal rights when it comes to the installation of the alcohol ignition interlock system, then your best bet is to contact an experienced Minnesota DWI lawyer. A DUI lawyer will be able to outline the program details and defend your legal rights on and off the road.

Minnesota Criminal Lawyer

Don’t let DUI charge affect the rest of your life. Protect your rights, your driving record and reputation as well as your personal and professional life. If you or someone you love is facing a criminal conviction, then now is the time to step up and fight back. Contact Anoka DWI lawyer Michael Brandt at 763-421-6366 for a free, no obligation consultation

If you are pulled over for suspected DUI, then you are most likely going to be nervous. You may feel like you are guilty before the police officer has even said anything. If you are asked to perform a field sobriety test or breathalyzer, you may not know if this is a good idea. Should you do what the officer says? Should you refuse the test? It is up to you what you choose to do. However, there are a few things you should consider if pulled over on a suspected DWI charge:

Minneapolis Implied Consent Law

When you get your driver’s license, you are agreeing to remain safe and responsible on the road. You are also agreeing to adhere to any testing a police officer may request if pulled over. This is known as the implied consent law. Although you can choose to withdrawal your consent at the time of the incident, it is a crime to do so, and, if convicted of a DUI, you could be facing even stricter penalties.

There are a number of different ways a police officer can test your level of intoxication. There are three standardized field sobriety tests used on the roads of Minnesota including:

• The Horizontal Gaze – an officer observes the driver’s eye movements when asked to follow an object from side to side
• The Walk and Turn – an officer observes the driver’s ability to balance while walking and turning
• The One Leg Stand – an officer observes the driver’s ability to balance while standing on one leg.

However, there are also a number of other tests the police officer may ask you to do including reciting the alphabet or walking backwards. You may also be asked to take some other tests including:

• A breathalyzer
• A urine sample
• A blood test

All of these tests are a more accurate indication of your blood alcohol content. While the field sobriety tests are considered valid, they are also objective, based on the decision of the arresting officer. Keep in mind that you could still be arrested for a DUI without taking any of the field sobriety or breathalyzer tests.

Test Refusal Consequences

If you do refuse to take any of the required tests and are later convicted of a DUI, you are looking at an automatic gross misdemeanor offense which includes a jail sentence of one year and a fine of up to $3,000. You could also lose your license for a period of one year.

Pulled over for Suspicion DWI? Contact a Minnesota DUI Lawyer

If you are pulled over for a DWI, your best bet is to remain calm and polite to the officer. It is also a good idea to ask to speak to a lawyer before deciding whether or not to take the tests. This is your legal right and you will not be penalized for asking for this right.

Minnesota Criminal Lawyer

Don’t let DUI charge affect the rest of your life. Protect your rights, your driving record and reputation as well as your personal and professional life. If you or someone you love is facing a criminal conviction, then now is the time to step up and fight back. Contact Anoka criminal lawyer Michael Brandt at 763-421-6366 for a free, no obligation consultation