Case Results

Plea to the 4th Degree DWI and no jail sanction. On top of that fantastic outcome, the State agreed to dismiss the original case entirely, agreed to an expungement of it, and then recharged a new case for just the DWI. This outcome was critical to the client because he did not want even the drug charge record to exist - even though it was going to be dismissed as part of the plea deal. Armed with a strong defense, the County Attorney relented after much negotiation to take this unusual path to a plea deal. Now, after the expungement is granted, the client's record will remain clear of any drug record and he'll only be left with a plea to a misdemeanor DWI as a standard first-time DWI. This is truly a fantastic result, but also a very creative one, once again showing how the North Star team fights for its clients and pursues the just and sometimes creative results for our clients.

Continuance for Dismissal. Client was charged with a traffic ticket due to an accident on 494 during rush hour. He rear-ended the vehicle in front of him, causing a fair amount of damage and possible injury to the driver. Thankfully, the client immediately sought insurance to take over the damages on the civil side, ensuring the victim was fully paid for her losses. And because he has a good driving record and retained the assistance of the North Star team, we were able to get an outcome that results in no plea or conviction. This is the appropriate outcome for an unfortunate accident.

Continuance for dismissal. Client was here on a student visa and any admission to the facts, let alone a conviction, carried possible immigration consequences. The North Star team took this on a pro bono basis. And the initial offer was for a plea to a petty misdemeanor crime. With savvy negotiations - and no leverage to speak of - the North Star team achieved this necessary result for a young woman with a bright future.

In this matter, the script is flipped... Mr. Adkins assisted the mother of a complainant, a minor, in navigating the horrors of sustaining a complaint of sexual violence against a truly twisted offender. Mr. Adkins coordinated communication with the State, protected the young lady from needless inquiries or a need to testify, ensured that her needs and desires were included in the Court's consideration of the charges, and kept her and her wonderful mom updated on every step of the process. We don't often get the chance to serve in this capacity, but if it concerns criminal courts, here or anywhere in the United States, North Star is your guardian.

Acquitted at a jury trial. Client was alleged to have engaged in a rather violent road rage incident in Carver County. Even with an offer of a stay of adjudication - which would have resulted in a dismissal and eliminate the risk associated with trial - the client was consistent that he wanted his day in court to show that he did not engage in the type of violent assault the State was alleging. The State had three separate, independent witnesses that all alleged they saw our client viciously assault another driver. The driver, himself, said the same thing. Yet, Mr. Gempeler crafted a brilliant trial strategy and theme that carried the day. Armed with photographs that simply did not match the allegations, Mr. Gempeler attacked the case and the witnesses, impeached them all, and showed how their stories were incomplete and continued to change with the passage of time. Most notably, he had the primary witness - an off-duty Sergeant, former detective - throwing her hands up and asking the State's attorney whether she, the officer, could object to Mr. Gempeler's questioning. Needless to say, the cross examination was thorough and devastating to the State's case. As a result, the State's case lacked credibility, believability, and ultimately reasonably doubt existed. The jury returned a not guilty verdict in short order, proving again that we are Not Always Minnesota Nice when fighting for our clients.

Continuance for dismissal. Client was facing serious assault charges stemming from an incident involving his opposition to political protesters in his neighborhood. Admittedly, his response was far from ideal. But, he took proactive steps following it to address his anger and show that he was not a public safety risk. Despite the possibly underlying political statement issues associated with the case, the North Star team achieved this needed result, thereby affording the client to continue searching for new employment without the stain of an assault and/or disorderly conduct conviction on his record. The client is thrilled to have chosen the North Star team to fight on his behalf through this case and challenging time in his life.

Continuance for dismissal. Client was adamant that the charges were bogus. Yet, the expected testimony and other evidence most certainly presented a challenge with an upcoming trial. The North Star team was undeterred and scheduled the matter for trial. On the eve of it, the State reached out with an updated offer that was too good to refuse - six-months probation (compared to the standard 1-year), minimal fine, and only no same or similar conduct. Considering we asked for this exact outcome numerous times and turned down a stay of adjudication to take this to trial, it was huge to obtain this, without the trial risk, when the client could have had job consequences with a guilty verdict at trial. So, it was a no-brainer to finally take the deal when offered. Another fantastic result due to the hard work and strategic approach by the North Star team.

Dismissed. The client was alleged to have engaged in lewd conduct in a public park. But the facts simply did not support the statutory framework of the charge. The North Star team utilized a smart and tactful approach. And the City Attorney, to her credit, made the right decision to dismiss this case due to insufficient evidence to support it. On top of that, the North Star team sought and achieved an expungement via prosecutor agreement to seal the record of this unjust charge, thereby ensuring that even the charge itself will not impact the client's future. We go that extra mile on behalf of our clients.