Case Results

Client, staring down a six-month mandatory jail sentence and a permanent record for a horrible accident, walks out of a virtual hearing with no jail to serve, his vehicle returned, a conviction on radically reduced counts, and his license intact. Aggressive negotiations and timely treatment efforts, by Mr. Adkins and his client, respectively, result in a fantastic conclusion.

Client facing a mandatory prison commit, due to level of offense and criminal history, receives instead a radical reduction in count and nothing more than home monitoring for just over a month. Suppression issues that were not likely to succeed, in conjunction with a responsive and thoughtful client, resulted in the saving of a life, a career, a home, and a family. North Star prides itself on positive outcomes for cases that look unwinnable, and this was just such an example.

Stay of Adjudication. Client is a young man that was concerned that a conviction to the offense could lead to a job consequence. Despite no real defense, the North Star team advised the client on some proactive steps that he could take to improve our negotiating leverage. And it worked! The prosecutor appreciated the steps taken and knowing that the client learned his lesson from his poor decision-making. The result is this incredible outcome, one that gives the client the opportunity to avoid any conviction and maintain his employment without concern.

Plea to an amended count of Failing to Drive with Due Care as a petty misdemeanor. The client's driving conduct certainly warranted the charge - erratic driving that led her to striking numerous vehicles when she was unsuccessfully navigating an alley and narrow road. The blood test did not find anything in her system, though the driving conduct certainly pointed to something that should have been discovered. Nonetheless, with no legal defense, the North Star team successfully negotiated this great outcome for a young client who has a bright future. With this outcome, she avoids a careless driving conviction that could lead to the termination of her insurance and increased premiums, and, most importantly, does not result in a criminal conviction. A petty misdemeanor is not considered a crime under Minnesota law. The client, therefore, maintains her perfect record and is back on track for her future.

Continuance for dismissal. Client had a good driving record and wanted to ensure she didn't make a criminal record for a one-time mistake. Despite no defenses, the North Star team utilized a smart strategic approach, and not to mention it's good relationship with the prosecutor, to get this incredible outcome. After one year and obeying simple terms of probation, the matter will be dismissed.

Case DISMISSED. For a young man, with an incredibly bright future, a lot was at stake to avoid a criminal record. But, the client made some smart decisions at the time of the incident, including not submitting to a PBT. Such a PBT is a search and can be declined. He smartly did so, leaving little other evidence to support the charge. And after a careful review of the evidence, including a diligent review of the evidence involving the other kids at the scene, the North Star team developed a strong argument that there simply was insufficient evidence for the case. So, some communications with the prosecutor - who we have a great relationship with (which always helps) - led him to realize the same thing and the State dismissed the case - without even a motion to dismiss pending. A perfect and just result for a good young man.

Dismissal of one and a continuance for dismissal on the other. Both cases were dated, but both had warrants from missed court appearances. The North Star team used the clients impressive resume since these incidents - including service in the Army - to approach the prosecutors about not only removing the warrants, but also to resolve the cases. One prosecutor understood that the appropriate and just result - given the age of the offense and accomplishments of the client - warranted an outright dismissal. The other agreed to an outcome that is admittedly a significant departure from that jurisdictions typical approach on this type of case. The dismissals allows the client to continue with both his civilian and military careers without these being a burden, which was a major concern for him at the time he approached North Star.

CLIENT RELEASED, some fifty (50) months early. This client, who was represented by another firm when he entered a plea of guilty to First Degree Drug charges hoping for a sentencing departure to probation, was instead immediately remanded to state prison for a lengthy term. His health, already radically declining on the day he was sentenced, immediately disqualified him from any programming (such as the Challenge Incarceration Program, or 'Boot Camp') that would have ended his prison stay quickly or at any discount. The client hired North Star to be creative in challenging his sentence and to secure his release in any way humanly possible... and we DID JUST THAT, by way of an order recently permitting him to leave prison immediately. Mr. Adkins and his team used the habeas corpus petition process to get the Court's attention, and convinced the Court and the Department of Corrections' legal team that a release would not only be justified, but would save our client's very life. Compassionate release in the middle of this pandemic is logical, it is wise, and it is increasingly difficult to secure, as political implications infect hearings and conversations about true justice in the face of a deadly invisible enemy. If your loved one is serving a prison sentence, anywhere, and you believe their health is threatened (particularly if they suffer from a preexisting deadly condition or are likely to develop severe reactions to the coronavirus), please contact the team at North Star immediately. There are few lawyers on the planet who have successfully litigated these issues, and Dan and James would love to win for you, and yours.