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

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

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

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

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

How an Order for Protection Can Impact You

An Order for Protection will ensure that you stay a certain distance away from the alleged victim. It is meant to protect the victim from further attacks while a court date approaches. What this means is that if the victim is your spouse, common law partner or mother of your child, you could also be forced to stay away from your home as well as your children. This can be frustrating to say the least. An Order for Protection can also negatively impact your ability to gain custody of your children if a divorce is pending which is why it is so important to clear your name of any assault charges and Order for Protection lawsuits.

Order for Protection Tips

When it comes to handling an Order for Protection, it is best to sit back quietly and allow a lawyer to handle the legal confusion. Of course, this is easier said than done. Below are some tips to dealing with an unjust Order for Protection:

• Whatever you do, do not violate the Order for Protection, regardless of how unfair it is. If you violate an Order for Protection, you could be looking at another criminal conviction and court date on top of the assault accusation.

• Surround yourself with family and friends and try not to think about how the restraining order is affecting your life. If you are unable to go home or see your children, try to focus on other aspects of your life instead. Spend time with your parents or siblings. Take some ‘down time’ to relax for the upcoming events.

• Do not do anything that will provoke your anger and emotions such as drinking, taking drugs or going to a bar. You want to avoid the public eye and any triggers that may raise your anger levels. You also want to remain in a clear state of mind. Mixing alcohol with an Order for Protection will only end poorly for you.
Your best defense against any Order for Protection case is to contact a qualified attorney right away. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner the Order for Protection case will be analyzed and hopefully dropped.

Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney

Don’t let an Order for Protection and domestic assault allegation affect the rest of your life. Protect your rights 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

Is Expungement Right for You?

Expungement is the removal of any criminal records or information in court files, computers and other depositories. You may want to consider an expungement for certain convictions in the past as well as any arrests that have resulted in a non-guilty sentence. Your ability to qualify for expungement will depend on a number of factors related to your criminal conviction including the following:

• How long has elapsed since the offense? It is a good idea to wait at least two years before you petition to expunge a misdemeanor offense and longer for a felony offense. If it has been more than five years since your arrest, then expungement might be right for you.

• What type of offense have you committed? Some criminal acts cannot be expunged from your record, regardless of how much time as elapsed. This includes any criminal sexual conduct or sex crimes acts as well as any DUI offense. Felony offenses may be harder to expunge because of the seriousness of them. In general, misdemeanor offenses have a much higher chance of being taken off the public records.

• What have you done to prove you have changed? If you have remained out of trouble since your arrest, then you can apply for expungement. Furthermore, if you have obeyed the law as well as taken the measures to rehabilitate yourself and rejoin society, then you also have a good chance of being accepted for the expungement process. This may include participating in counseling, anger management training, community service and other rehabilitative measures. Your lifestyle, including your job and your accommodation, will also impact your likelihood of having a crime expunged.

Understanding the Expungement Process

Although the process of expungement deals with criminal records, they are considered civil lawsuits. While some expungement hearings are handled by the Minnesota Supreme Court, others are looked after in the Minnesota Court of Appeals. You can expect any expungement process to take around four months to complete. The steps to expungement include the following:

• You will need to file a formal petition for expungement

• Sixty days after the petition have been filed, you will attend a court hearing and submit an oral and written statement to the court discussing your reasons for seeking expungement

• The court will make a decision based on the evidence and the documentation you have submitted

Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney

It is important that you seek legal representation when contemplating expungement for your past. Our attorneys will assess your case, determine if expungement is a viable option and, if so, help you with the documentation needed to succeed in having your crime expunged. If you are considering expungement, then contact Anoka criminal lawyer Michael Brandt at 763-421-6366 for a free, no obligation consultation

Sex Crime Arrests

There are a number of crimes that constitute as a ‘sex crime’ including felony offenses such as criminal sexual conduct, rape, sexual assault and incest. Misdemeanor sex crimes include prostitution, indecent exposure and fifth degree criminal sexual conduct. Internet sexual acts, such as distribution of child pornography, are also classified as sex crimes. If you are convicted of any of these arrests you could be looking at fines, jail time and rehabilitation as well as a permanent criminal conviction and registration as a sex offender.

Facing Sex Crimes Tips

There is no right or wrong way to handle a sex crime accusation. However, below are a few tips to get you through the upcoming events as best as possible:

• Surround yourself with supportive family and friends and stay away from those who are not supportive. When you are looking at this serious conviction, your friendships will be put on the line. You may find that some of your closest friends do not want to know you anymore. Be prepared to lose relationships. Your true friends and family will stick with you and this is what matters the most.

• Avoid the limelight as much as possible. If your sex crime case is a high profile case, you may be getting unwanted media attention. You do not have to hole yourself up like a hermit but you might want to avoid public events and high-traffic areas for the time being.

• Avoid triggers than can make the situation even worse including drugs and alcohol. You may want to drown your sorrows in alcohol or drugs but this is not a good idea. You will end up making the situation even worse and doing something you could regret down the road.

• Try to live life as normally as possible. In some instances, you may want to continue working. In other instances, you may find it better to take a couple of weeks off to prepare for the case and spend some quality time with loved ones. It is up to you. Do things you enjoy doing to keep your mind off the case – go for a run, rent your favorite DVD’s, cook your favorite meals, go to the beach and try to stay calm and relaxed.

Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney

Don’t let a sex crime arrest affect the rest of your life. Protect your rights 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

DUI Laws and Penalties

Driving a vehicle on the roads while drunk (or after you have been drinking) is bad enough. However, keep in mind that the drinking and driving laws do not only apply to the highways and roads. You can also be caught for underage drinking and driving if you are operating any type of recreational vehicle with alcohol in your system. This includes a boat, a jet ski, a golf cart, a snowmobile and an ATV. It might sound like a good idea to mix a couple of cocktails with a day out on the lake but this could result in a loss of license among other things.

If you have been caught for underage drinking and driving, you can expect a license suspension. You may also need to attend driver’s education and rehabilitation to ensure that you are not a risk on the road again. In some instances you may need to pay a fine. If the drinking and driving arrest was on top of additional arrests, such as in conjunction with a car accident, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest, speeding or open bottle law, then you could also be looking at community service or time in a detention facility.

Legal Advice for Underage Arrests

If you are pulled over and you have been drinking, you have the legal right to refuse a breathalyzer test. However, if you do refuse and are later found guilty of underage drinking and driving, you could be facing even more severe punishments. The best thing to do is you are pulled over for underage drinking and driving is to cooperate with the police officer. Remain polite and as calm as possible. You do not have to admit to anything or say anything about what has happened. In fact, it is best to keep quiet. You have the right to remain silent and this is one right you should always take. It can be very intimidating facing a police officer and you might accidently say something that could affect your case down the road. Contact an attorney right away to discuss your legal options and how you should proceed.

Minnesota Defense Lawyer

If you are facing an underage drinking and driving conviction, or if you have been arrested for underage drinking and driving, you will need legal representation. A drinking and driving conviction will remain on your record forever, negatively affecting your life down the road.

Don’t let an underage drinking and driving arrest affect the rest of your life. Protect your rights and reputation as well as your personal and pending 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

Mike conducted a thorough investigation of the case and presented the evidence to the prosecutor, who agreed with Mike and on the day of trial, dismissed the charge.

This is another example of the analysis, research, and preparation that Brandt Criminal Defense puts into their cases.