Groshek Law Blog

Judge orders officials, family to stop discussing Floyd case

By Groshek Law PA posted in blog on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

The death of George Floyd on May 25 while in custody of Minneapolis police sparked national outrage, with people across the country speaking out and protesting.

Now, the Hennepin County judge presiding over the case is threatening to move the trial outside of the county if officials, attorneys and relatives of Mr. Floyd continue discussing the case in public.

Judge Peter Cahill, of the Fourth Judicial District, told parties involved in the case that if he hears anything publicly about guilt or innocence, merit and evidence, he would likely pull the trials away from Hennepin County and instill a gag order. Cahill issued these orders on June 29 during the second pre-trial appearance, at which three of the four officers involved in Mr. Floyd's case were present. Officer Derek Chauvin appeared virtually from the correctional facility where he is being held on a $1 million bail.

Who needs to create a will and estate plan?

On behalf of Christa Groshek of Groshek Law PA on Monday, May 11, 2020.

Every adult needs to have an estate plan in place as soon as possible. Not only does this help them to know that their affairs are in order, it also helps their family members to have a plan to follow when their loved one passes away.

Many people think that they have plenty of time to get their will and estate plan compiled; however, you never know when something will happen to you. Because you have to be in good mental health when you make your plan, something like a brain injury could render you unable to do so.

The top ways a will can protect your family

On behalf of Christa Groshek of Groshek Law PA on Monday, May 11, 2020.

If you have a family you will want to protect them at all costs. This means planning for uncertain times financially and making sure that your children are always cared for even if you cannot be there. One way that you can protect your family is by adding certain provisions to your will.

The creation of a will is not something that you should only consider as you approach retirement or your later years. Anyone who has dependents or a significant amount of assets should have a will in place. If you have not yet created a will or want to update your existing will to ensure that your family is protected, make sure that you understand all of the options you have. The following is an overview of the top ways in which a will can protect your family.

Assault charges don't always mean you actually hurt someone

On behalf of Christa Groshek of Groshek Law PA on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.

Assault is a basic term for a violent crime that causes physical injury to another person. However, despite what many people might believe, assault charges don't just stem from hitting, kicking, biting or otherwise causing bodily injury to another person, at least not in Minnesota.

Instead, it is possible for you to face assault charges without ever putting your hands on another person. That is because Minnesota assault law doesn't just cover acts of physical violence but also threatening or intimidating words or behavior intended to cause fear of death or physical injury in another person. The words you use could be grounds for assault charges, as could your body language or behavior.

In divorce, what to do with the house?

On behalf of Christa Groshek of Groshek Law PA on Tuesday, December 31, 2019.

For many divorcing couples, the family home is the largest asset that you will need to divide. It also presents some unique challenges for the divorcing spouses.

For instance, if there are young children, the parents may not want to disrupt their stability by forcing the kids to move and get used to a new home, neighborhood, perhaps even school district. Yet, allowing one parent to retain the use of the home may rankle the other parent who does not benefit from its use and shelter. What can be done?

What options do you have when police want to enter your house?

On behalf of Christa Groshek of Groshek Law PA on Thursday, November 14, 2019.

When law enforcement officers come knocking on your door, it is common to feel panicked even if you don't believe you have done anything to break the law. People can make bad decisions when they're nervous, leaving them vulnerable to mistakes that could have serious consequences in the future.

Don't let your nerves or a misplaced sense of kindness push you into a dangerous position during an interaction with police where they ask to come into your home. Knowing your rights and how to stick up for them can help you avoid unnecessary legal risks that could stem from letting the police into your home.

How do you keep a juvenile offense from ruining the future?

On behalf of Christa Groshek of Groshek Law PA on Monday, October 7, 2019.

Anyone who pleads guilty to a criminal charge or winds up convicted in court has to deal with the consequences of a criminal record. Although at first glance, criminal records may seem like a minor inconvenience, in reality, it may infringe on someone's freedoms or personal advancement for many years to come. Everything from schooling to jobs becomes complicated when you have a criminal record.

If you have a criminal record related to a juvenile offense or if you are responsible for someone with a juvenile record, you likely have an interest in minimizing how long that record remains public. Thankfully, there are potential options for those in Minnesota with a juvenile record who want to move forward with their lives.

What do you do when you receive notice of an IRS audit?

On behalf of Christa Groshek of Groshek Law PA on Monday, August 19, 2019.

Every year, when you file your taxes, you incur a small amount of risk that your tax file will be one of those selected randomly for an audit. Certain red flags may increase the likelihood of facing an audit, but it is generally impossible to predict who will face scrutiny for their tax return and who will not.

If you receive a letter in the mail from the IRS advising you of a pending audit, don't panic. By following a few simple steps, you can give yourself the upper hand in what many people consider to be one of the most stressful experiences of modern American life.

Why do you need an attorney for a juvenile criminal offense?

On behalf of Christa Groshek of Groshek Law PA on Thursday, July 11, 2019.

The juvenile justice system exists in part to protect minors who make questionable legal decisions from lifelong consequences related to those mistakes. The focus on these programs is generally to minimize the penalties for minors. Juvenile justice is usually about rehabilitation, not punishment, but that doesn't mean that juvenile convictions aren't a serious matter.

Given that the consequences for juvenile justice convictions may seem less serious than the penalties associated with adult criminal charges, some adults with children facing criminal charges may mistakenly think that they don't need to take their child's pending juvenile charges as seriously as adult criminal offenses.

Will your spouse's affair help you during your upcoming divorce?

On behalf of Christa Groshek of Groshek Law PA on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

A spouse who conducts an extramarital affair can do permanent damage to the very foundation of trust upon which a marriage is built. It is often impossible for couples to recover from the destruction that results from the discovery of adultery.

Although couples may attempt to forgive and forget, the long-term damage may prove to be too difficult to overcome. If you now realize that you are on your way to divorce thanks to your spouse's philandering ways, you have likely started to wonder how an affair will affect your divorce. Familiarizing yourself with Minnesota's family laws can help you understand.