Minneapolis Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

An Apple Valley is facing four different charges of driving while impaired (DWI) after Dakota County prosecutors filed charges against him this week. According to the complaint, the man's blood alcohol content (BAC) was four times the legal limit. The BAC limit in Minnesota is 0.08.

In January, concerned parents at an Apple Valley ice arena called police after they observed

the Zamboni driver operating the machine in an inconsistent manner across the ice. The driver missed some spots on his first pass to resurface the ice. On his second pass, the driver had to be reminded to turn on the water.

On Friday, law enforcement officials announced they would be stepping up patrols to catch individuals who are driving while intoxicated (DWI) in 13 Minnesota counties. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the counties were collectively responsible for more than half of the Minnesota's alcohol-related deaths and serious injuries between 2008 and 2010.

Residents in Minneapolis and St. Paul may not be surprised to learn that Hennepin and Ramsey Counties top the list. If you're going to have a drink and get behind the wheel, you should be prepared to call an experienced Twin Cities DUI defense lawyer.

Drunk driving is responsible for more deaths over the holidays than at any other time of year. To address the added threat posed to people traveling on roadways, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) in conjunction with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has launched the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign.

The campaign's focus is to encourage those who plan on drinking over the holidays to avoid getting behind the wheel, either by using a designated driver or taxi. When these options are not available, people who have had too much to drink are encouraged to call a friend or family member who can pick them up.

The fallout from allegations of sexually abusing children can be enormous, even tarnishing the reputation of a storied college football program and costing leaders of the football program and the school their jobs (even though they are not personally accused of sex crimes).

Jerry Sandusky, the former defensive coordinator of Penn State's football team, is accused of sexually abusing eight boys over the span of 15 years. Sandusky, who maintains that he is innocent, faces 40 criminal charges for sexual abuse.

Minnesota authorities have been actively pursuing the players in the Trevor Cook Ponzi scheme. In June, Christopher Pettengil pled guilty to securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. In July, federal authorities charged three more men, including a conservative radio host, bringing the total number of individuals implicated in the fraud to seven.

Ponzi Schemes

A Ponzi scheme is a particular form of investment fraud where the organizers of the plan promise large, risk-free returns to investors but never engage in any legitimate investment activity. In this type of white collar crime, earlier investors are paid so-called returns out of the funds contributed by new investors. Ponzi schemes inevitably collapse when operators can no longer attract new investors and the funds owed to older investors dry up. 

The aftermath of the subprime mortgage meltdown has meant uncertain real estate markets nationwide and widespread wonder at what went wrong. Federal prosecutors have acted swiftly and forcefully to level accusations toward mortgage industry professionals and make sure that allegations get a full public airing before that individual gets his or her first glimpse of due process.

America's Most Hated

America loves a villain and not since the trial of OJ Simpson has the nation's lust for blood more fervent than during the Casey Anthony trial. A Minnesota woman even drove to Orlando, Florida to witness the trial.

Our country was fed by reporters such as Nancy Grace, whose nightly indictments of "Tot Mom" created an image of an anonymous monster incapable of any human feeling. The press failed to objectively discuss the weight of the testimony and evidence and who instead made her conviction seem all but certain.

Since her acquittal on murder charges last week, Casey Anthony has quickly become one of the most despised women in America. A nation was convinced she was guilty of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee, and was ready to riot when she was acquitted. The court of public opinion may be against her, but they fail to understand the constitutional protections that lie beneath Anthony's acquittal.

While lawmakers are wrangling to resolve Minnesota's budget, questions remain for many individuals facing criminal charges about how the potential shutdown may affect them. The good news is that the shutdown is likely to have little impact.

Courts Will Remain Open

According to the Star Tribune, Judge Bruce Christopherson ruled on Tuesday that courts must stay open to avoid "irreparable and inestimable" consequences. "If the courts are not funded, the basic, essential constitutional rights of the public would be unprotected and fail."