Groshek Law Groshek Law PA 2026-10-01T13:48:22Z https://www.christagrosheklaw.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1604620/2020/07/cropped-site-identity-32x32.jpg On Behalf of Groshek Law PA <![CDATA[Firearms and drugs: The stakes of combined charges in Minnesota]]> https://www.christagrosheklaw.com/?p=58087 2026-10-01T13:48:22Z 2026-10-01T13:48:22Z Why combined charges increase penalties Minnesota law treats drug crimes involving a firearm as especially serious, often elevating the offense level and increasing prison time. The presence of a gun signals a greater risk of violence and tends to make prosecutors pursue harsher penalties. These cases may also draw federal attention, where prosecutors can charge someone for using or carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. A combined conviction generally requires extra prison time that must be served consecutively on top of the sentence for the drug offense.

Constructive possession in shared vehicles

Claiming that something is not yours may not be enough, because police do not have to find drugs or a gun in your pocket to charge you. If law enforcement found the items in a shared area like a glove box or under a seat, prosecutors may argue you knew about them and had control over them. They may also use things like where the items were found, nearby personal belongings or fingerprint evidence to try to connect you to them.

Why statements can derail your case

Trying to talk your way out of a stop can sometimes do more harm than good. Doing so may give prosecutors the link they need to argue constructive possession because your own words can help show that you knew about the item or had some connection to it. The safest approach is to stay calm, assert your right to remain silent and ask for an attorney right away.

Challenging the stop and search

As part of your defense, your attorney can challenge whether the traffic stop was legal and whether the officer had a valid reason to pull you over. Even if the stop was lawful, your lawyer can still challenge whether the officer had enough cause to search your vehicle. If the stop or search was illegal, a skilled attorney can ask the court to suppress the evidence. Under the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine, the judge can prevent the state from using that evidence to charge you with a crime.

Even small details matter

When drug and gun charges intersect after a traffic stop, even the minor facts can affect the outcome of your case. An attorney can create a defense strategy that can help safeguard your rights and your future.]]> On Behalf of Groshek Law PA <![CDATA[What to do if your child was accused of a crime in Minnesota]]> https://www.christagrosheklaw.com/?p=58085 2026-10-01T10:22:38Z 2026-10-01T10:22:38Z Immediate steps to help protect your child’s rights As a parent, it is vital to stay calm in this situation because your child likely already feels scared and anxious. They need a steady hand and reassurance above anything. By not reacting with anger in front of law enforcement, you can protect your child while being there for them. Additionally, children have the same constitutional rights as adults, including the right to remain silent. It is crucial to instruct your child not to speak to police or school officials without a lawyer present. Even when your child tries to explain their side, they may incriminate themselves and give other parties something to use against them later.

Understanding juvenile court sentencing

In Minnesota, the court generally adjudicates children as delinquent rather than finding them guilty. Unlike adult court, juvenile court emphasizes rehabilitation, supervision and support services instead of punishment alone. The process usually starts with a petition, which is a formal claim that the child committed an offense. It then goes through juvenile court and ends with a disposition, similar to sentencing, which sets the consequences or services the court will order.

Supporting your child through the process

Being there for your child means finding a balance between openness and protecting their case. It is crucial to have honest and age-appropriate conversations with them about what is happening while avoiding detailed discussions that could unintentionally hurt their legal defense. If the incident may be linked to behavior problems or mental health issues, it is wise to seek counseling or other support services as these can help address the root causes. Making an effort to attend every court hearing is also vital. Being there shows the court your child has strong support and that you are involved in helping them move forward.

Showing up when it matters the most

When facing the juvenile justice system, your child still needs safety, steadiness and someone who will not give up on them. Working with a lawyer can help your family protect your child’s rights while helping them learn from this experience.]]> On Behalf of Groshek Law PA <![CDATA[Can you face charges for an overdose death without selling drugs? ]]> https://www.christagrosheklaw.com/?p=58068 2026-09-03T13:54:15Z 2026-09-03T13:54:15Z A friend asks you to pick up pills and pays only their share. Hours later, a fatal overdose raises questions about your role. If you shared or helped the person obtain the substance, the absence of profit may not protect you from criminal charges. Knowing how the law treats each form of involvement can help you understand your position. 

A drug transfer can support serious charges

In Minnesota, if you unlawfully supplied drugs and proximately caused a death, you may face third-degree murder charges even if no traditional sale occurred. The law covers directly or indirectly giving away, delivering, exchanging, distributing or administering a Schedule I or II substance. A conviction carries up to 25 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to $40,000 or both. Given that penalty, the nature of your involvement is important. Prosecutors may examine whether you supplied the drugs yourself or helped someone else do so. Direct liability may arise if you personally transferred the substance. By contrast, accomplice liability means you might face responsibility for another person’s crime if you intentionally helped that person commit it. Mere possession may not show that you furnished the fatal substance, though it could support a separate charge.  To obtain a conviction, prosecutors must prove:
  • Unlawful transfer: You directly or indirectly sold, gave, delivered, exchanged, distributed or administered the substance.
  • Drug classification: The substance belonged to Schedule I or II.
  • Causation: Your conduct proximately caused the death.
Prosecutors need not prove that you intended to cause the death.

Causation and defenses depend on the facts

Prosecutors generally need to connect the substance you allegedly supplied to the overdose death. This requirement is known as causation. Your actions are a proximate cause if they played a substantial part in bringing about the death, either directly or through a sequence of events.  Prosecutors may use toxicology results, an autopsy and expert opinions to establish that connection. Multiple substances, an uncertain source or an intervening event could weaken the causal link. Since the state has to prove this connection, a defense might point to a gap in the evidence. You could also contest claims that you possessed or transferred the substance. Messages and witness accounts may fail to show that you knew about or intentionally aided a separate offense, which bears on accomplice liability. The state still has to prove the charged conduct and causation beyond a reasonable doubt.

Evidence can define your case 

Phone records, text messages and forensic findings often supply the timeline. They may indicate who arranged the purchase, handled the drugs or communicated after use. Laboratory tests can identify the substances, while location data and witness statements may confirm or challenge that account. These records may reveal factual distinctions that could affect the charge and defenses. Legal guidance can help protect your rights during questioning. An attorney may review the evidence, explain the prosecution’s theory and identify weaknesses involving tran]]> On Behalf of Groshek Law PA <![CDATA[Busted! 7 Sneaky Ways Undercover Cops Try to Get You to Incriminate Yourself]]> https://www.christagrosheklaw.com/?p=58043 2026-06-01T17:19:44Z 2026-06-01T09:20:28Z Many people believe they can spot a police officer from a mile away, but undercover work is nearly invisible. In reality, anyone you meet—online or in person—could be an officer building a case against you. These operations are not just for high-level cartels; they happen in schools, local neighborhoods, and private group chats. From simple social media interactions to elaborate fake businesses, police use psychological tricks to make you feel safe enough to break the law or brag about past mistakes. Most people never see the trap until the handcuffs click shut.

Posing as a Trusted Peer

Officers often go "under the wire" by pretending to be someone in a similar life situation, such as a fellow student or a cellmate. They use this fake common ground to build a bond. Once you view them as an equal, they encourage you to share secrets or "vent" about illegal activities.

The "Are You a Cop?" Lie

A dangerous and widespread myth suggests that an officer must tell the truth if you ask them about their job. This is false. Undercover cops can legally lie to your face and deny their identity repeatedly to maintain their cover. If you rely on this question to stay safe, you are walking straight into a trap.

Creating Fake Online Personas

 Police spend hours building realistic social media profiles to enter private digital spaces. They might friend you, "like" your posts, and send private messages to incite you to commit a crime or share evidence. They use the anonymity of the internet to push boundaries that people might be more cautious about in person.

The Friendship and Romance Long-Game

 Sometimes an officer spends weeks or months building a deep personal connection. This can even include romantic interest, where an officer flirts with you or pretends to date you to gain your absolute loyalty. Once they have your heart or your trust, they ask you to help them with something illegal or try to gain knowledge about certain aspects of your life, banking on the fact that you won't suspect someone you care about.

Setting Up Front Businesses

Law enforcement often rents storefronts to create fake pawn shops, clubs or repair shops. These locations are rigged with hidden cameras and microphones. They wait for people to bring in stolen goods or discuss illegal deals, capturing high-quality video evidence that is nearly impossible to fight in court.

Infiltrating Social Circles to Pressure Targets

Undercover agents often join specific groups to find someone who seems vulnerable. They might use "dares" or social pressure to see if you will agree to help with a crime. 

Sting Operations and "Buy-Busts"

 In these scenarios, the officer plays the role of a buyer or a seller. They might offer to sell you something illegal at a price that seems too good to be true. The moment the money or the item changes hands, backup officers arrive to make the arrest. They create the entire opportunity just to see if you will take the bait.

Protect Your Rights and Stay Silent

The best way to avoid these traps is to be careful about what you share with others, especially people you just met. You should never feel pressured to discuss private matters or participate in illegal acts. If you find yourself in a situation where the police are questioning you or you suspect an undercover operation, the most important thing you can do is remain silent. You have a legal right to stop talking and ask for an attorney immediately.]]> On Behalf of Groshek Law PA <![CDATA[How to expunge your criminal record: The ultimate guide]]> https://www.christagrosheklaw.com/?p=58029 2026-06-03T14:01:57Z 2026-05-28T09:50:12Z Record expungement under Minnesota law In Minnesota, you may petition the court for an expungement. If approved, it will seal your criminal record from public view. While this offers a hopeful renewal of your life, it is crucial to understand that expungement does not completely erase your record from existence. Government agencies, law enforcement and licensing boards can still access sealed files under specific, legal circumstances. Expungement will not wipe the slate entirely blank, but it does hide your record from landlords and employers who run standard background checks.

Eligibility requirements for expungement

Expungement is only available for those who meet these qualifications:
  • You did not receive a charge for your arrest.
  • The courts have dismissed the charges against you.
  • The judge did not find you guilty.
  • You completed a diversion program, a stay of adjudication or a continuance for dismissal.
  • The required legal waiting period for a misdemeanor conviction has passed.
  • Your conviction is part of the certain qualifying felonies.
If you qualify, you may begin the process by filing a formal petition in the county where you were charged. You also must notify all the government agencies involved and state your case to a judge. During your hearing, you bear the burden of proving that the benefits of sealing your record outweigh the public’s right to know about your past.

Filing for an expungement with legal help

Minnesota law offers you the chance at a fresh start, but the state’s complex expungement statutes can be overwhelming. From preparing the paperwork to presenting your case in court, a single mistake can derail your progress. Seeking legal assistance from a criminal defense attorney is wise.]]> On Behalf of Groshek Law PA <![CDATA[What you need to know about cybercrimes in Minnesota]]> https://www.christagrosheklaw.com/?p=58028 2026-05-26T11:00:33Z 2026-05-26T11:00:33Z Computer hacking Minnesota law prohibits unauthorized computer access or hacking. The court can charge you if:
  • You intentionally bypassed a computer’s security.
  • You accessed a computer without authorization from its owner.
It does not matter whether you successfully steal data or damage the system to break the law. A mere attempt to enter the system is enough to warrant an arrest. Penalties for unauthorized computer access generally start as a misdemeanor (up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine) but can escalate up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine if the offense creates a grave risk of death.

Phishing and identity theft

Online scams are a form of deception with the goal of stealing sensitive information, such as passwords, birthdates and home addresses. To hold guilty parties accountable for their malicious intentions, Minnesota law has a specific offense for the electronic use of a false pretense to obtain an identity. You can face a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Furthermore, identity theft is another cybercrime that the state continuously fights against. If it involves a total combined loss exceeding $35,000 or involves eight or more direct victims, it is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

Navigating the legal system

Cybercrime laws are highly technical, and a single mistake can alter your future. Facing allegations or dealing with the aftermath of a digital dispute requires precise representation. Seeking legal advice from an experienced attorney can give you the guidance you need in going through the complex legal process.]]> On Behalf of Groshek Law PA <![CDATA[From plywood to prison: When a “simple” material swap becomes theft by swindle]]> https://www.christagrosheklaw.com/?p=58017 2026-06-03T14:01:58Z 2026-04-20T12:11:30Z Building costs are soaring ever skyward, which can cause contractors to worry about their projects’ bottom lines. Some may even be tempted to make some substitutions in the quality of premium materials the contract says they will be using. It’s such a little lie. Hard to detect, and likely not to matter too much in the end. Right?

Better check that final invoice

By using substandard materials, e.g., substituting utility grade pine for the required Douglas fir grade on all ceiling and floor joists, lintels and rafters, and submitting an invoice using the premium grade instead, you open yourself and your company up to allegations of fraud. Here in Minnesota, the charge is called theft by swindle, and you could wind up in jail if convicted.

Beware of overzealous prosecutors

For the prosecution, it’s all about having a winning record to burnish when re-election time rolls around. Since the prosecutors only take on cases they see as winnable, it means that they may pull out all the stops to rack up another win. At its core, theft by swindle charges focus on any attempts at misrepresentation for financial gain. Thus, what may have seemed like only a minor, behind-the-scenes business choice can be reframed by a prosecutor as a deliberate criminal act.

Could you be facing criminal charges?

If so, it is always prudent to get out ahead of the situation to give you some control over its outcome. Now is not the time to go it alone. Rather, you need to retain the services of a strong criminal defense team to preserve the integrity of your business and your good name.

Failing to act only worsens the peril

Your legal team can help you by reframing the incident as a billing or coding error rather than the fraud a prosecutor will try to prove in court. Everyone can make a mistake and mitigate its damage to clients and customers without fraud allegations prevailing. Don’t wait another day to address this problem. Both your and your company’s reputations are at stake, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help with your problem.]]> On Behalf of Groshek Law PA <![CDATA[How simple genetic tests could be used against family members]]> https://www.christagrosheklaw.com/?p=58013 2026-04-11T17:51:13Z 2026-04-11T17:51:13Z The issues with using genealogy databases to solve crimes In scenarios where law enforcement professionals have forensic evidence from the scene of a crime but no other means of identifying the perpetrator, they may look for genetic matches. While there are databases with information about people convicted of major criminal offenses, not everyone implicated in the crime has a prior history. However, advances in genetic sequencing and analysis have made it easier to connect genetic information from those undergoing genealogy-related tests to the materials found at a crime scene. One family member’s test could result in law enforcement professionals determining that their family was likely involved in the crime and then intensifying the investigation. Genetic databases have played a role in numerous cold case resolutions in recent years, but they raise many questions about personal privacy and the overreach of government authority. Frequently, the people who pay for genealogical testing are not the people implicated in criminal activities. The people eventually accused of the crime did not consent to testing or voluntarily provide their DNA. Additionally, concerns about abuses of these databases raise questions about government overreach. There are also accuracy issues to consider. From the impossibility of differentiating between identical twins to the risk of contamination, there are many credible reasons to question the use of genetic information submitted for genealogical analysis as part of the criminal investigation. Consulting with a criminal defense attorney is typically necessary in cases where the state claims to have genetic evidence connecting a person to a criminal offense. Defendants implicated due to a family member’s genealogical testing may need help fighting back against potentially questionable law enforcement practices, and that’s okay.]]> On Behalf of Groshek Law PA <![CDATA[“My supervisor said it was okay”: when following orders leads to swindle charges]]> https://www.christagrosheklaw.com/?p=58001 2026-06-03T14:01:47Z 2026-04-02T15:49:27Z as criminal acts. Under the law, following an unethical order does not shield a healthcare professional from personal liability.

The myth of the "superior orders" defense

Nurses and administrative staff often believe that legal responsibility lies solely with the individual giving the order. This is a dangerous legal misunderstanding. Under state law, theft by swindle focuses on the individual who creates the fraudulent representation to obtain property or services.
  • Primary participation: If your signature appears on a medical chart that you know is inaccurate, you are considered a primary participant in the fraud.
  • Legal inadmissibility: "I was just following orders" is not a valid legal defense for committing a crime or falsifying official medical records.
  • Individual accountability: The state holds the licensed professional accountable for the integrity of the data they submit to payers like Medicare or Medicaid.
Currently, regulatory agencies prioritize individual accountability, meaning that professional licensure provides no immunity against state or federal fraud investigations.

The paper trail of a swindle

Insurance companies now utilize advanced AI-driven audits to flag inconsistencies in nursing notes and billing patterns. When a "swindle" investigation begins in a Minneapolis clinic, the facility administration may attempt to distance itself from the individual employee to protect its institutional billing license.
  • Criminal prosecution: Depending on the total dollar amount involved in the fraudulent billing, these charges can escalate to a high-level felony.
  • Licensure revocation: The Minnesota Board of Nursing maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding documented acts of professional dishonesty or fraud.
  • Federal exclusion: A conviction often results in being barred from any facility that accepts federal funds, effectively ending a healthcare career.
Facilities often claim that the employee "misinterpreted" instructions or acted outside of official company policy, leaving the individual to face these life-altering consequences alone.

Protect your license and your liberty

If you are being pressured to document "creatively" or misrepresent patient care, you are in a precarious legal position. Protecting your professional future requires immediate and strategic action to document the workplace pressure you are experiencing.
  • Request written instructions: If a verbal request feels unethical, ask for the instruction via email to create a permanent digital record.
  • Maintain private records: Keep a secure, personal log of the dates, times, and specific individuals who pressured you to falsify documentation.
  • Seek independent counsel: Consult with a defense attorney before speaking with Human Resources, as their primary duty is to protect the corporation.
Securing professional legal advice early is the only way to navigate a conflict between your employment and your legal obligations. By establishing a clear record of your objection to fraudulent practices, you provide your legal team with the necessary tools to defend your license and your freedom against aggressive prosecution.]]> On Behalf of Groshek Law PA <![CDATA[Caught on video assaulting someone? A defense may exist]]> https://www.christagrosheklaw.com/?p=57975 2026-03-10T09:05:36Z 2026-03-10T09:04:03Z You can claim self-defense and defense of others The law recognizes that you have a right to protect yourself and those around you. Under Minn. Stat. § 609.06, the use of reasonable force is justified when resisting an offense against your person or aiding another to resist an offense. This means that if you intervened because a friend, family member or even a stranger was being threatened with harm, your actions may be legally protected. The law looks at the totality of the circumstances, not just the few seconds captured in a video.

The legal standard: Imminence and proportionality

When deciding if your actions were justified, the law generally looks at two main things: imminence and proportionality. Imminence means the danger had to be happening right then and there. You can’t use force because of a threat someone made last week, or because you think they might start a fight later. You must have a real, honest belief that you or someone else was about to be hurt at that exact moment. Proportionality is about matching your level of force to the threat, meaning you are allowed to use the amount of force necessary to stop the harm, but no more. For example, if someone pushes you, you cannot legally respond with a weapon. However, as long as your reaction fits the danger you were facing, the law is on your side.

How a defense lawyer can help

A viral video is often a "snapshot" that lacks the context of what happened before the camera started rolling. A defense attorney can work to uncover the full video context, including CCTV footage, other witnesses' phones and digital evidence, to show the "lead-up" to the event. By showing the whole story, a lawyer can prove that you weren't an aggressor, but a protector. Remember, a single video clip doesn't have the final say; with the right defense, you can protect your reputation and your future.]]>