Sieben & Cotter Trial Lawyers

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 alleged sex assault on a college campus to nonconsensual sexual contact with a family member.

State of Minnesota v. B.P. — Felony Third-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct

ATTORNEYS:  Patrick Cotter and Justen Imsande

Our client was chatting with a the complaining witness on a popular dating app. This led to sending Snapchats, exchanging phone numbers and text messages over the course of the evening.  By midnight, the two decided to meet, where our client would pick her up and they would watch a movie at his house.  After hanging out for a few hours they decided to go upstairs to our client’s bedroom to watch a movie.  This led to a back massage and eventually to sex.  The next morning our client was accused of rape.  Through an independent investigation we were able to find inconsistencies in the complainant’s story including the fact that she stayed at our clients house for three hours after the alleged rape and ordered a pizza on her cellphone.  Most importantly, we discovered that she has falsely accused another man of rape in the recent past.

RESULT:  After a year-long battle we were able to convince the prosecutor to dismiss all of the charges against our client two-days before the start of trial.

University of Minnesota v. A.M. — Sexual Misconduct & Violation of University Rules (Stalking, Sex Assault, Relationship Violence)

ATTORNEY:  Patrick Cotter

Our client was out at a college party when he met another female student.  They decided to walk back to her dorm room.  During the one-mile walk they started flirting and kissing.  Both parties were intoxicated.  When they got into her dorm room they had sex.  The next days and following week, the female claimed that she had blacked out when she left the party and was not able to consent to sex with our client.

RESULT:  After a full evidentiary hearing on appeal the Student Sexual Misconduct Subcommittee found our client “Not Responsible.”

State of Minnesota v. J.G. — Felony Third-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct & Fifth-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct

ATTORNEYS: Patrick Cotter and Justen Imsande

Our client matched with a female on a popular dating/hook-up app.  Over the course of two weeks they messaged and spoke with each other every day.  The content of many of the messages were flirtatious and included many sexual innuendos, along with nude pictures.  Eventually they decided to meet for a first date followed by going back to our client’s house to build a fort, give back massages and play cribbage.  While in the fort, the female alleged that our client was aggressive, held her down and raped her.  Our client maintained that everything was consensual.  At trial, we were able to use their conversation history to tell our client’s story.  We were also able to use a key piece of DNA evidence to corroborate his story.

RESULT:  Not Guilty jury verdict on all counts.

State of Wisconsin v. D.O. — Eight Counts of Felony First-Degree Criminal Sexual Assault

ATTORNEYS: Patrick Cotter and Justen Imsande

Our client was charged in two separate counties with nonconsensual sexual contact with his cousin alleged to have occurred years prior.  When the initial allegations came out the complaining witness could only generally state that our client touched her inappropriately, but could not say for sure what dates that it occurred.  The district attorney initially declined to press charges.  With the pressure and assistance of family member, the complaining witness was eventually able to identify 8 dates and locations, usually holiday or other family gatherings.  We were able to use several expert witnesses to address the issues associated with memory contamination.  This case involved exhaustive pre-trial litigation and motion practice.

RESULT:  All eight counts were dropped and our client pled guilty to one misdemeanor charge with an agreement to expunge the case after one-year of probation with conditions.

State of Minnesota v. A.C. — Felony Fourth-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct

ATTORNEYS: Patrick Cotter and Justen Imsande

Our client went out with a few close friends for a night of drinking and fishing on the river.  Eventually they decided to leave and go have a bonfire at his friend’s residence.  Our client’s friends had a teenage daughter who joined them throughout the night and was drinking heavily.  She claimed that she was not drinking and that our client had made inappropriate comments and groped her breasts on several occasions.  Through an independent investigation we were able to gather several witness statements from others present that corroborated our client’s side of the story and discredited the complaining witness’s statements.

RESULT:  After a year long battle, the County Attorney voluntarily dismissed all charges against our client just prior to trial.

State of Minnesota v. J.T. — Felony Third-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct & Fifth-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct

ATTORNEYS: Patrick Cotter and Justen Imsande

Our client was working the overnight shift at a hotel front desk.  Throughout the week prior a woman and her children were staying at the hotel.  Our client and the woman had seen each other in passing around the hotel several nights prior.  One night the woman had been drinking heavily and stated that she needed to use the bathroom.  Our client escorted her into the bathroom.  While inside, the woman performed oral sex on our client and then left to her room.  Our client maintained that it was consensual.  The case proceeded to a jury trial.

RESULT:  After a hard fought jury trial, our client was found not guilty of the felony third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge.  He was found guilty of the lesser charge: gross-misdemeanor non-consensual contact.

The Attorneys at Sieben & Cotter Can Help

Whether you are being investigated or have already been charged with any sex crime, you need to contact a knowledgeable and experienced attorney immediately.  The attorneys at Sieben & Cotter have decades of combined experience handling these types of cases with proven-favorable results.  Click the links to view our results (Thomas Sieben and Patrick Cotter).  We will put in the time necessary to prepare a strong defense that will protect your rights and put you in the best position to receive the most favorable result possible.

Call Sieben & Cotter at 651-455-1555 to arrange your free and comprehensive consultation, or send a request for more information.