MN’s Prostitution Laws: The Penalties for Buying, Selling and Promoting Sex Prostitution is illegal in Minnesota. The state laws range from the most serious offense of Sex Trafficking in the First Degree to the least of simply soliciting an adult prostitute. Whether you are arrested and charged for the most serious, [...]
Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Controlled Substance Crimes Since, the early 1990’s and in response to the nationwide “War on Drugs” Minnesota has taken a drastic approach in amending the criminal penalties for controlled-substance crimes. This approach has resulted in more strict and harsh penalties for those convicted of these crimes, and [...]
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Action in Minnesota? When a family loses a loved one because of someone else’s negligence, one of the first legal questions that comes up is: Who is actually allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit? Unlike some states where any close family member can [...]
Firearms and Weapons Laws in Minnesota Firearm and Weapons Crimes: Know Your Rights Weapons crimes are controlled under both State and Federal laws. These laws are constantly changing and evolving, so it is important to stay up-to-date with the current firearms and weapons laws in Minnesota. Common firearms and weapons [...]
Is Your Electronic Data Safe from the View of the Government’s Eyes? In this evolving digital age, vast amounts of personal data are available at your fingertips. This data ranges from text messages, voicemails, photographs, videos, and notes saved on your personal device to emails and posts to social media. Importantly, just because it is [...]
This Just In: Minnesota’s Test-Refusal Statute Unconstitutional State v. Trahan, A13-0931, 62-CR-12-8574 (Minn. Ct. App. October 13, 2015) Background In this case, Trahan was arrested on suspicion of DWI. He was read the Implied-Consent Advisory and asked to speak with an attorney. After several failed attempts to contact an attorney, Trahan stated he was finished [...]
Federal Drug Conspiracy It can be difficult to defend conspiracies, especially drug conspiracies, because of their broad reach that encompasses many types of conduct. Generally under 18 U.S.C. § 371 a conspiracy is committed when all of the following are present: There is an agreement to commit a specific federal crime, Between two or more [...]
Charged with a Federal Crime? If you have been charged with a federal crime, you may be asking yourself, “Do I need a lawyer?” For a number of reasons, the answer is “YES.” Federal cases are handled very differently than state cases. First, and foremost, federal charges are more severe, and carry much stiffer penalties [...]
Ask the Attorneys: As criminal defense attorneys, there are some questions we hear more frequently. We've created a Criminal Defense FAQ page to address some of these more common questions. Do you have a general question about DWI, police searches, being charged with a crime, criminal procedure, or whether you may need an attorney? Check [...]
Shootout Between Rivals In Minneapolis Leaves 1 Dead and 1 Injured According to authorities, shortly after Midnight on the morning of Monday, July 27, 2015 people in two vehicles were engaged in a dispute. Moments later, the two vehicles pulled over near the intersection of 34th and Morgan Avenues North. Occupants of both vehicles got [...]
Super Lawyers recognizes Tom Sieben and Patrick Cotter Super Lawyers magazine recently recognized Tom Sieben and Patrick Cotter: both have been selected for inclusion in the 2015 Minnesota Super Lawyers list. Super Lawyers recognizes outstanding attorneys who have a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Attorneys are invited to nominate the top lawyers [...]
Do You Need a Fire Loss Attorney? If You Lost Your Home or Business Due to a Fire, Do You Really Need a Lawyer? Dealing with the loss of your home or business due to fire and smoke can be devastating. But even worse than dealing with the loss of [...]
Drug-Sniffing Dog at Traffic Stop Supreme Court: Prolonging a Traffic Stop to Call for Drug-Sniffing Dog Violates the 4th Amendment The United States Supreme Court held on April 21, 2015 that, absent reasonable suspicion, police extension of a traffic stop in order to conduct a dog sniff violates the Constitution’s [...]
Can Police Take Your Trash Without A Warrant? A recent Minnesota Supreme Court decision says, yes. When trash is put out to the curb or alley for collection there is no longer an expectation of privacy and it may be searched without a warrant. Background In State v. McMurray, No. [...]
Minnesota’s Implied Consent Law (DWI Cases) Upheld as Constitutional Minnesota’s “implied consent” law states that if you are lawfully arrested by an officer who has probable cause to believe that you have been driving or boating while intoxicated, then you consent to taking a chemical test of your blood, breath, or [...]
