Case Results

Dismissed and pled guilty in a subsequent case where he was charged with another domestic assault, but received a stay of adjudication on an amended count of fifth degree assault. With two cases that included a felony strangulation charge and two separate domestic assault incidents, the client is thrilled to walk away with an outcome that results in no convictions on his record. The North Star team litigated a novel issue and was successful in getting a Court to permit at trial evidence of prior false accusations by the complainant. After winning that motion, the State folded the felony case and offered the non-conviction outcome to a client that was prepared to go to trial. But, even he knew he couldn't turn down this incredible offer and ability to eliminate the risk that comes with a trial.

Plea to the misdemeanor 4th Degree DWI. Client was placed on probation with no time to serve, credit for the proactive steps completed, and we even argued successfully to the Court to not impose a no use and testing provision due to the client's business development obligations. What makes this result so fantastic is that the client was uncooperative with police overall (including refusing both the evidentiary test at the station and the PBT on the side of the road) and demonstrated tell-tale signs of significant impairment. Under those circumstances, obtaining a plea deal to the fourth-degree is very hard to achieve, especially in Scott County. Still, Mr. Gempeler achieved exactly this and the desired terms of probation from the Court. Another great result achieved by the North Star team.

Plea to one count of 3rd Degree DWI, but no time to serve and minimal terms of probation. What makes this outcome so great is that the State initially asked for 45 days to be served either in jail (which would include good time) or EHM, and a $1,000 fine. After extensive negotiations, Mr. Gempeler got this offer reduced to basically nothing - no time to serve and half the fine. This was a great result when there was absolutely nothing to work with from the case itself and the elevated alcohol reading made a misdemeanor outcome impossible to achieve. The client truly appreciated Mr. Gempeler's persistence and fight to get the sentence minimized so dramatically.

Stay of adjudication to an amended count of disorderly conduct. The client was charged with a domestic assault-harm for striking his wife in the face. He also significantly damaged his vehicle, too. Needless to say - the evidence was mounted against our client. But, he responded in the perfect manner by addressing the underlying issues, and recommitting to working on himself and his marriage. By doing so, Mr. Gempeler was able to lean into these proactive steps and the continued support of his wife to negotiate this fantastic outcome. And not only was the ultimate dismissal fantastic, but so to were the probationary terms that all but simply obligate him to continue doing what he's already doing as far as mental health treatment. All in all - a truly fantastic outcome.

Continuance for Dismissal. The client had no defense - an independent witness saw the accident, took his license plate down, and the client admitted to driving, being in an accident, and then leaving it without reporting it until the next day. What's more is that the victim's car sustained significant damage. Yet, despite these bad facts, the North Star team and Mr. Gempeler pushed to get this incredible deal - literally the best possible plea deal available. The client now maintains his clean criminal record and good driving record as well.

Stay of adjudication to both counts, meaning the client will not be convicted of anything following this incident so long as he complies with minimal and easy terms of probation for just one year. The client had zero defense, as his ex-spouse's therapist witnessed the incident via a zoom meeting. Despite the evidence completely working against him, proactive steps and the thoughtful approach from Mr. Gempeler yielded this critical and incredible outcome for a deserving client.

Plea to a gross misdemeanor DWI with a sentence that ignored the statutory minimums. For a second time offense with an elevated alcohol reading, the client should have had additional time to serve along with a lengthy term of house arrest and probationary period. Instead, the client is not required to serve any additional time, has no house arrest to serve, and is only placed on probation for one-year. This is an incredible outcome, considering the first offer wanted a lengthy term of house arrest, a longer probationary period, and a requirement to enlist in the ignition interlock program. For a client that lives in Iowa, avoiding the hassle with much of this offer was imperative, especially with potential job consequences in play. Thankfully, the North Star team pushed hard for the outcome achieved and the client is very pleased to have retained North Star to fight on his behalf.

Acquittal at trial on ALL nine counts. A vigorous case led to a trial that spilled in to a second week. The North Star team fought tooth and nail the entire case and prepared a strong self-defense and defense of others defense. While the video evidence supported these affirmative defenses, ultimately defending 13 bullets and two innocent minor bystanders getting hit is no easy task. But, Mr. Adkins and Mr. Gempeler were up to the task. After the case was submitted, the jury deliberated for only 3 hours (including the lunch hour) before returning Not Guilty verdicts on all nine counts. The client and his family got the justice he so rightfully deserved and they are thrilled they had the North Star team fighting for them when they needed it the most.