Case Results

Stay of adjudication to the disorderly conduct charge and the two domestic charges are dismissed. What's more - the terms of probation are merely a small fine and no same or similar - that's it. A truly remarkable outcome for a gross misdemeanor domestic out of Minneapolis. The Judge was even surprised by such an outcome, but these fantastic negotiations are commonplace with the North Star team. The client was nervous as heck leading into the hearing, but beyond relieved walking out, knowing that what happened won't define him or hold him back moving forward.

Plea to two amended counts of gross misdemeanor tax crimes with no time to serve and minimal terms of probation. The client had no real defense to a lengthy history of failing to file tax returns. After years of negotiations, legal arguments, and wearing down of the prosecutor, Mr. Gempeler was finally able to get a non-felony outcome - which the client so desperately wanted to avoid. The tactic that paid off was being on top of case law developments. There is a new case heading to the Court of Appeals that centered on an issue that was highly relevant to this case. Understanding this, new leverage for negotiations led to such an incredible outcome for the client.

Plea to an amended count of misdemeanor 4th Degree DWI, with no time to serve and unsupervised probation for one-year. What makes this outcome more remarkable is that the client blew a .19 and got into an accident. The primary prosecutor would not budge, but he changed jobs near the end of this case. Mr. Gempeler strategically prolonged the case a bit to put some separation between the old prosecutor and new one. And at the delayed hearing, he was able to negotiate this incredible outcome - one the client was thrilled to achieve, but didn't think was possible based upon how the case had progressed. Savvy guidance pays off once again for a North Star client.

Plea to a petty misdemeanor failing to drive with due care. The client was flying on 494 in his expensive sports car, going in excess of 110+ mph. The City added the serious criminal charges as a way to combat against such fast drivers. Add in the fact that a conviction to excessive speeding would result in a 6-month loss of license, the client was stressed about the possibility of a criminal record and losing his license. The North Star team fought back though, challenging the legal basis for the misdemeanor charges. With the hearing days away, we were then able to leverage it to reach a resolution that did not result in a loss of license or a criminal conviction. The client was floored, never expecting such a fantastic result. This is what we do, routinely.

Despite strong opposition from the State, Dan secured a Stay of Imposition for a client facing multiple charges, an expanding list of alleged victims, and serious exposure to incarceration and restitution demands. The prosecution pushed aggressively for a Stay of Execution with significant penalties, but through strategic advocacy and the client’s genuine remorse, the court granted a more lenient resolution—one that avoided the most damaging consequences.

This outcome allowed the client to keep his business running, begin repaying damages, and continue supporting his family—a critical win that balanced accountability with stability. In a tough jurisdiction known for harsh prosecution, this case shows how thoughtful legal representation and a client’s commitment to change can lead to impactful, practical results.

Our client, initially facing multiple federal charges tied to the unlawful receipt of over $10 million in tax refunds, has successfully avoided all original counts and the threat of mandatory federal prison time—a potential sentence that could have ranged from several years to nearly a decade. Thanks to the aggressive and strategic defense by James and Dan, he also will not be held financially responsible for any funds received by other defendants, shielding him from massive repayment demands for money he never touched.

While the case is still ongoing, the outcomes so far have allowed our client to move forward with his life, free from the most serious legal and financial consequences. This case highlights the power of retaining aggressive but creative legal counsel early, particularly when federal authorities are or may eventually be involved.

In a case that typically results in a full conviction and jail time, Dan Adkins secured a remarkable outcome: no jail time, no crushing fines, and a treatment-focused resolution that prioritized recovery over punishment. This so-called “John” case—often among the hardest to resolve favorably—took a different turn thanks to a compassionate prosecutor and Dan’s unwavering advocacy. Together, they crafted a plan centered on healing, not retribution, giving the client a realistic and supportive path forward through a carefully structured treatment program. At North Star Law Group, we believe accountability and recovery can go hand in hand—especially when the goal is lasting change.

Plea to an amended misdemeanor count of DWI, with no time to serve, a fine, and easy terms of probation to follow. The client blew a .20 and had no legal defenses. On top of that, the city prosecutor is notoriously challenging to deal with on similar cases. Nonetheless, Mr. Gempeler leaned into the possible career implications in play and the client's proactive steps in order to negotiate this fantastic result. It was the exact outcome the client was hopeful for, but realistically did not expect. That's why you get the North Star team on your side - to get the unexpected.