Case Results

Client with multiple concerns, and a relatively large amount of money at issue, receives an incredible discount to a stay of adjudication, and the return of his cash, with no untoward consequences from the federal government. Client is overwhelmed and happy.

This client, facing a nasty DUI with a high test, multiple priors and a bleak outlook, receives no jail time, no further programming than that she'd already completed, and an utterly feathery landing, due to speedy steps in remediation and her talented lawyers. DUI cases confound even seasoned defenders, with relentlessly repetitive fact patterns and a thin list of available defenses--but North Star doesn't quit, and does not take the traditional approach to these matters. We got thinking caps, here, and we use them.

Stay of adjudication to the drug charges in BOTH cases and a single conviction to a misdemeanor DWI as a stay of imposition. The client quite literally committed the same offense twice within a years time frame. He drove drunk, was found slumped over in his car on a county highway, and had drugs in the center console. If this wasn't bad enough, the second offense was committed just shy of his sentencing on the first case, where the North Star team was going to argue that he learned his lesson. Still, despite the two separate cases and problems that causes, the North Star team counseled the client on the correct proactive steps to take - treatment, aftercare, and continued alcohol monitoring to prove sobriety. And by the time of the sentencing for both cases nearly a year and a half later, the client was able to convince the probation department and ultimately the Court - with our help, of course - to receive a stay of adjudication on BOTH cases. The result is that the client will NOT be a convicted felon and only have one DWI conviction on his record. Avoiding the felony drug possession conviction was critical for the client, too, because he received federal aid as a farmer, which would have been in jeopardy with such a conviction. The client is incredibly thankful he chose the North Star team to help him on his two cases. An early Christmas present for a deserving client!

Plea to an amended count of Failing to Drive with Due Care. This is a huge result that we achieved for a great client. She and her daughter have been contemplating moving out of the Country - possibly Canada - and own a cabin up by the Canadian border. Any DWI conviction - and possibly even a Careless Driving conviction - would have precluded her from entering/moving to Canada. The plea to the Failing to Drive with Due Care means she will have no issues in doing so. What makes this plea even more remarkable is that we had no legal defense. Despite that, the North Star team knew how to put our client in a great position to negotiate this incredible result.

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.