State v. N.B.

Plea to a single gross misdemeanor DWI. Sometimes, the facts simply don't permit a plea to a less serious offense. When the client registers a .20 and has driving conduct that imperiled others on the road, the only fair outcome is to plead as charged. Without any legitimate defense and a client that did not want to go to trial, the North Star team refocused their negotiations on limiting the impact from the criminal sentence. The first round of negotiations left an offer that includes 8 days as a jail alternative and a lengthy probationary period. Through our zealous advocacy, the client will have no time to serve - either in custody or via community work service - a reasonable fine, and, most importantly, probation to the court for fewer years than initially offered. The end game is one where the client has no affirmative obligations while on probation to the court (which saves her money). So, even when facing long odds, the North Star team was still able to negotiate a very favorable outcome.