Case Results

One conviction for speeding; another conviction for speeding, but one that will not end up on the client's driving record; one stay of adjudication; and one continuance for dismissal. The client clearly had a lead foot and picked up these four separate speeding tickets out of four separate jurisdictions in a close window of time. A conviction to all four would result in a loss of license. The North Star team set out to figure out a global resolution that would not lead to the license loss and minimize the record created. And through this effort, the client walks away with only ONE conviction on his traffic record. A remarkable outcome, to say the least.

Stay of adjudication. The client was alleged to have caused an accident when she was looking down at her phone. Even with restitution needed for the victim, the North Star team was able to negotiate an outcome that avoids a long-lasting criminal conviction for an accident. The client is thrilled that she will not be followed by such a conviction.

This client, looking at upwards of 300 months for multiple probation and new cases, settled for a trip to Boot Camp, and a return to his home in roughly eight months, thanks to Mr. Adkins' compelling sentencing arguments and deep research by North Star. Our teamwork is nonpareil, and we are second to none on these types of matters, where all seems lost--the hustle and the creativity matter more, when others would cash in chips or quit the field. North Star just cares more.

Stay of adjudication, meaning the client will not have any conviction on his record. In a case in which there was no viable defense to the charge, the North Star team leaned on his great relationship with a local prosecutor and a smart approach about how to achieve this needed and just outcome. Now the client will not create a criminal record as a result of this traffic matter.

Stay of adjudication. Client merely needs to stay good for one year and pay minimal prosecution costs to earn a complete dismissal of this serious charge. He was accused of masturbating in a parking lot. A witness saw him and identified him as the suspect. Needless to say, there was not a lot to work with for a possible defense. Even when faced with daunting facts and accusations, we were able to negotiate an outcome that not only leads to a dismissal once he successfully completes probation, but it also leads to a presumption to get this record expunged a year later. This was a priority to the client and one that we knew how to achieve with a thoughtful approach to negotiations. Another fantastic result.

Plea to an amended count of Threats of Violence as a gross misdemeanor. This was a remarkably unique outcome that ultimately satisfied all of the client's goals - no jail, minimal fine, and preserved his gun rights upon completion of probation. The client turned down a better plea deal to a misdemeanor assault (non-domestic), but was concerned with losing his gun rights for three years, which state law mandates even on non-domestic assault convictions. So, the North Star team got creative and figured out a resolution that accomplished exactly this. Despite facing serious domestic assault strangulation felony charges and a prior allegation against him, we were able to get a non-jail, non-felony outcome and saved his gun rights from the three-year prohibition. This proves, once again, that the North Star team takes the big picture approach and tailors the strategy to each clients needs. While this is a worse outcome than an offer previously received, it's the right and perfect outcome for this client, which is what matters most.

Plea to an amended count to a misdemeanor 4th Degree DWI. This was a first-time offense with a high reading - .20. Usually when the reading is so high - .04 above the .16 threshold to make it a gross misdemeanor - obtaining a plea to a reduced misdemeanor DWI is very difficult. The North Star team capitalized on a unique issue that it raised (but would unlikely be successful as a legal challenge) to negotiate this outstanding outcome for the client. She is thrilled that her record now shows a misdemeanor outcome consistent with a true first-time DWI, which will be much more manageable for her explaining it away during background checks.

Case dismissed on the eve of trial. Typically, OFP violations are very challenging to fight because it often is straightforward to prove a violation. Contact is contact. But, in this case, the State was pushing a theory that simply did not add up to a violation based upon the use of the protected party's name in a website domain. Fighting this required a sophisticated knowledge of understanding the internet and how to create and publish websites - something the investigator and prosecutor did not possess. An expert helped solidify the defense and the North Star team applied the pressure as the trial date approached. Finally, the State realized it did not have a case and dismissed the case. Another fantastic result achieved due to North Star's fight and creativity.