A mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can be caused in a variety of ways including an auto accident, slip and fall, explosion or while playing sports. You ability to recover just compensation for your injuries depends in large part on your ability to prove the severity of your injuries. Generally, the more severe your injuries, [...]
Loosing a loved one is the most painful time period in our lives. If the loss of your loved one is due to another person or business's negligence, intentional harm, greed or incompetence the pain and anger can be unbearable. Unfortunately, wrongful death incidents are not uncommon, but the good news is that you don't have [...]
Personal Injury Type Mild Traumatic Brain Injury - Auto Accident Background Our client was driving through the intersection of a twin cities road when she was struck by a motorist who blew through the stop sign at a high rate of speed. As a result, our client suffered a mild traumatic brain injury. The [...]
Daniel Decker was convicted of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct and indecent exposure for sending a picture of his genitals to a minor via Facebook Messenger. In relevant part, fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct requires: The defendant engaged in lewd exhibition of the genitals. The defendant's act took place in the presence of a Minor. The defendant [...]
Sieben & Cotter, PLLC is proud to announce that both partners, Thomas Sieben and Patrick Cotter, were recognized as Minnesota Super Lawyers 2018 Super Lawyers® recognizes outstanding lawyers, who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, from more than 70 practice areas. The rigorous selection process is multi-phased including independent research, as [...]
Spreigl Evidence: The Basics So you're charged with a crime and are gearing up for a jury trial. Do you have a criminal past? Did you know that the government may be able to use evidence of your criminal past against you? In Minnesota this is commonly referred to as [...]
The attorneys at Sieben & Cotter have been hard at work defending clients charged with sexual assault and related offenses. Over the last several months our firm has achieved favorable results for our clients, with many more still pending at various stages in the criminal justice system. Below are six recent cases ranging from an [...]
Earlier this week the Minnesota House of Representatives approved major public safety bill aimed at closing several sexual assault loopholes. The three major changes to Minnesota's Criminal Sexual Conduct statutes include: Making it illegal for peace officers to have sex with anyone in custody or anyone who “does not reasonably feel free to leave the [...]
Drug Conspiracy Elements A drug conspiracy have two central requirements: two or more persons agreed to commit the crimes of either: (a) drug distribution or (b) drug possession with the intent to distribute; AND the person knowingly and voluntarily joined the conspiracy intending to help advance or achieve its goal. Agreement In regard to an [...]
Charges: 3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct Nonconsensual and use of Force or Coercion Maximum Penalty: 15 years Imprisonment 5th Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct Nonconsensual Sexual Contact Maximum Penalty: Up to One year imprisonment Jury Verdict: Not Guilty 3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct Not Guilty 5th Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct [...]
In the early 1990's the Minnesota Legislature required County Attorneys to develop a program designed to divert adult criminal offenders away from the criminal justice system prior to a conviction. These are commonly called "diversion programs." The overarching goal of these programs is to allow the offender right their wrong, so to speak, and learn [...]
By now, you are probably aware of the recent allegations of sexual misconduct against well-known actor and comedian, Aziz Ansari. If not, you can find a link to the original article HERE. Since that original article published in babe there has been much debate as to whether Mr. Ansari committed sexual assault [...]
What is an Assault? The basic definition of an assault is that you either: (1) touched someone with the intent to cause them "bodily harm" (physical harm) or fear of bodily harm; or (2)committed an act with the intent to cause fear of bodily harm. Importantly, no actual contact between the actor and the [...]
Charges: 1st Degree Murder [...]
Sexual Misconduct in the News If you’ve watched the news in the last few months then you’ve heard about a celebrity accused of sexual misconduct. The recent fallout began with accusations against Harvey Weinstein (Hollywood Producer) and most recently against Matt Lauer (NBC News Anchor). Other celebrity figures include Kevin Spacey (Actor), Louis C.K. [...]
