Case Results

Plea to an amended count of failing to drive with due care. The client had zero prior record and no legal defenses. He didn't even complete proactive steps in advance of negotiations. The North Star team still aggressively approached the prosecutor, set on getting this needed outcome to help preserve the client's career. At first the prosecutor did not meet our needs, but we kept pushing, negotiating and persevered. The client could not be happier to get this incredible and unique (at least to non-North Star defense attorneys) outcome that best positions him going forward.

Stay of Adjudication. At the first appearance in this matter, less than a month after client's arrest (and complainant's visit to a doctor's care), Mr. Adkins secured a no-jail, no programming, not even a presentence investigation, stayed adjudication--meaning no conviction, no sanction, and expungement eligibility on fast-track terms--for his client. These types of results are exceedingly, increasingly rare, especially in certain counties, which can treat domestic assaults more seriously than many felonies. Mr. Adkins and client are exultant, with good reason.

Stay of adjudication. Client had absolutely no legal defense. He was permitted to go to the protected party's residence with a police escort. Instead, he showed up without the police, even though he called to arrange for such an escort. Needless to say, no excuses and no defense. Making things more difficult was a "victim" that had it out for the client and wanted him to suffer through this case. Thankfully, after providing proof that the protected party had fabricated allegations that formed the basis of her ex parte order for protection, the North Star team was able to convince the prosecutor to give our client the chance to earn this non-conviction with continued compliance with a no contact order and overall good behavior. Client is thrilled to avoid a devastating domestic abuse type record.

Plea to an amended count of Careless Driving. What makes this outcome so remarkable is that the client blew a .13 and had zero legal defenses. Typically, the cut off for pleading to a non-DWI is .10 on a first-time DWI (and it absolutely has been a hard cut off with this prosecutor). But, undeterred, the North Star team humanized the client, got numerous character letters praising the client, and explained how his future was on the line with this case. Add in a small leverage point with a discovery issue and the team was able to get this needed outcome for this fantastic client. Once again, the North Star team shows that it can achieve these incredible results even when everything seems stacked against us.

Stay of adjudication to the reckless driving count, with the other street racing reckless and careless driving counts dismissed. The client has a minimal fine and cannot have any careless or reckless offenses for one year in order to earn the non-conviction for this serious case. The facts were not good, to put it nicely. They involved an accident where the client's passenger was hurt and an allegation that street racing was occurring. The combination of which is often damn near impossible to overcome. Undeterred, the North Star team pushed and was creative in negotiations, including leveraging the possibility of trial, to achieve this incredible outcome.

Plea to an amended count of Careless Driving. The client blew a .12 and had no legal defenses. Typically, anything above a .10 is too high to get a non-DWI outcome, especially with a prosecutor known to be less forgiving with DWI's. Nonetheless, the North Star team set out to achieve a much-needed result for the client. Focused humanizing the client - by highlighting her challenging divorce at the time, her future career and the impact to it caused by a DWI, and her proactive steps - we were able to convince the prosecutor to make a deviation and obtain this rare outcome. The North Star team fought like hell in negotiations and got this fantastic outcome for a deserving client.

Dismissed on the morning of trial. The client was wrongly accused of being in physical control of a vehicle, when he instead was merely a passenger with his buddy as they were using the vehicle to stay warm and find a sober ride home. Armed with a strong defense for trial, the client refused all offers, even when they kept improving on the doorstep of trial. Ready for his day in court and for a jury to find in his favor, the State finally dismissed the case. Understandably, a huge win for a deserving client. And it goes to show, being prepared and willing to take on a trial can lead to great results, even without a trial actually starting.

Update: The North Star team successfully litigated the implied consent license revocation, arguing the client was not in physical control of the vehicle. The Judge agreed and gave the client back his driving privileges and his driving record will not have the equivalent of a DWI on his record. This is a complete win on all fronts by North Star.

Stunning result... Client already in prison, serving a parole violation, gets essentially time served, rather than a possible life sentence, in a high-profile murder case, without the requirement to testify on behalf of the State. A lifetime in defense work has left Mr. Adkins in position to negotiate from strength, but with compassion and verve--and it matters, for complex cases, and clients facing such massive draconian results. His family cannot wait to have him back, and now they will, and soon.