State v. P.W.

April, 2024
Charges: 2nd Degree Assault with a Firearm and Threats of Violence - Felonies

Acquittal at trial. Client was alleged to have pulled a gun on his brother-in-law, while threatening him. If convicted, he would've faced a mandatory 3-year prison commitment. From the very beginning, he was adamant the charges were false, and he wanted his day in court. Mr. Gempeler put on a masterful trial, hammering every witness the State called and even flipping the officers to lay positive foundational testimony for the closing. The jury deliberated for less than two hours - a remarkably short time, especially over a lunch hour. The County Attorney was flustered the entire trial, never able to counter the sound strategy and technique Mr. Gempeler used throughout. You know it's a good trial performance when the primary bailiff compliments the attorney, and two jurors waited in the courthouse lobby after the trial for a business card because they were so impressed and wanted the North Star team should they ever need us. Delivering justice for a deserving client is why we do this and is the best feeling in our line of work.

State v. J.G.

April, 2024
Charges: 3rd Degree Murder; Controlled Substance - Felony Counts

Plea to a drug count and dismiss the murder count. Mr. Adkins and his team convinced a judge, and eventually the State, to completely abandon a murder allegation, concerning delivery of drugs/fentanyl that resulted in an overdose death, simply based upon Mr. Adkins' assessment of the evidence and a timeline he prepared. This case, involving more than fourteen (!!) victim impact statements and a palpable political environment, was closed with no further jail, a relatively brief period of probation, and a life utterly recovered from despair and panic. This client has followed Mr. Adkins' express directives as well as any client in three decades of practice, and it mattered, right up to the moment the judge pronounced sentence and thanked Mr. Adkins for his efforts. Wins like this are why we exist.

Types of Charge(s): Drug Crime Case Results, Felonies, Murder

State v. J.Z.

April, 2024
Charges: 2nd Degree DWI - Gross Misdemeanor

Challenging factual scenario in greater MN, which often means awful/draconian sentences, but not with North Star on the job. Outstanding result, no jail, no EHM, minimal license impact, for a hustling and devotedly sober client, changing life-decisions where a skeptical prosecutor and judge couldn’t help but notice, and reward. Fantastic result.

Types of Charge(s): DWI Case Results

State v. D.T.

April, 2024
Charges: 3rd Degree DWI-Refusal - Gross Misdemeanor; 4th Degree DWI - Misdemeanor

Plea to an amended count of careless driving as a misdemeanor. No jail or community service, a minimal fine, and only one year of probation with easy conditions to follow. The deal was so good, in fact, that the Judge was questioning the prosecutor about how they were willing to offer a Careless on a Gross Misdemeanor DWI-Refusal. The Judge commented that he understood an agreement to a misdemeanor DWI, but to get a Careless was a bit shocking, to say the least. This is the type of outcome that isn't so atypical when the North Star team is involved. Getting so good of outcomes that it even surprised the Court.

State v. J.W.

April, 2024
Charges: 3rd Degree DWI - Gross Misdemeanor (two charges)

Plea to a misdemeanor 4th degree DWI. On top of getting this in line with a true first-time DWI as far as the misdemeanor conviction, the sentence included no jail, credit for all of the proactive steps taken, a minimum fine, and even probation to the court. All in all - a great outcome for a client that owned up to his mistakes and worked hard to put it in his past. This outcome should ensure it has little impact on him as he moves forward.

Types of Charge(s): DWI Case Results, Gross Misdemeanor

State v. T.K.

April, 2024
Charges: Threats of Violence - Felony

Plea, but an agreement to a dispositional departure, resulting in a gross misdemeanor conviction with no jail to serve and a minimum fine. The client was alleged to have waved a gun (turned out to be a BB gun) at another driver in a road rage incident. Complicating matters, he was no probation for a felony drug case. Despite these challenging facts, Mr. Gempeler worked hard on the prosecutor, stressing the client's efforts at sobriety, to achieve this incredible outcome. The Judge praised the client for his efforts, but understood it is a journey and gave him every opportunity to succeed moving forward. All because of the hard work the North Star team put into the case to achieve such a fantastic outcome.

State v. A.B.

April, 2024
Charges: Felony Domestic Assault by Strangulation; Misdemeanor domestic assault

Plea to an amended count of fifth degree assault (non-domestic in name). What's more, the sentence included no time to serve, a minimal fine, and otherwise simple terms and conditions of probation for only one year. Considering the client's child witnessed the alleged strangulation, obtaining this non-felony, non-custody outcome is incredible. The client did everything asked of Mr. Gempeler following the incident - obtaining a chemical dependency assessment, achieved provable sobriety, and complied with his alcohol monitoring. The client's wife - the victim - remained supportive and helped explain the critical impact alcohol had in the overall situation. And after everything, the client is able to move forward with his life in the best position possible following such a regrettable mistake.

State v. J.B.

March, 2024
Charges: 3rd Degree DWI - Gross Misdemeanor - Two Counts

Plea to an amended count of misdemeanor fourth-degree DWI, with no time to serve and unsupervised probation to follow completing the recommended DWI class and MADD panel. This is a great result, considering there were no defenses and the client blew a .199. Despite this, Mr. Gempeler relied on strategic negotiations and a strong working relationship with the prosecutor to get an outcome commiserate with a first-time DWI and no extra punishment for poor driving and such a high reading. The client is happy to put this behind and move forward in a much better position.

Types of Charge(s): DWI Case Results, Gross Misdemeanor

State v. B.R.

March, 2024
Charges: 3rd Degree DWI-Refusal (Gross Misdemeanor); 4th Degree DWI (Misdemeanor); Carrying While Under the Influence (Gross Misdemeanor); Carrying without a Valid Permit (Misdemeanor)

Plea to count 2, a misdemeanor DWI with no jail or community service to serve, and a minimal fine. The client was in a single vehicle accident, was underage, and had a handgun with an extended magazine in the vehicle (not to mention marijuana (legal)). Needless to say, a lot of bad facts and there was no legal defense. Nonetheless, Mr. Gempeler leaned on his great relationship with the prosecutor and utilize a strategic negotiation approach to achieve this incredible result.

Types of Charge(s): DWI Case Results, Gross Misdemeanor

State v. P.L.

February, 2024
Charges: Gross Misdemeanor Shoplifting

Stay of Adjudication. Client was charged with stealing merchandise from a local Target several times over the course of a couple of weeks. And the State had surveillance video showing the theft acts from beginning to end - i.e. there were no defenses to the charge. Still, Mr. Gempeler emphasized the client's overall good record, remorse, accountability, and need to avoid creating a record that will hold him back going forward. The State understood and agreed to the second chance afforded by this fantastic result.