State v. R.L.

Plea to three amended gross misdemeanor tax counts for failing to file sales tax returns in specific quarters. The client was without an actual defense for failing to file or pay sales tax for a business he ran. Worse, he had never done so. While he didn't intend to do so because of a poor understanding of his tax obligations, convincing a jury of tax-paying citizens otherwise would be tough sledding, to say the least. Still, he could not have a felony conviction on his record or he'd be rejected from entering Canada to visit family. Through lengthy negotiations and litigation, the North Star team finally achieved a gross misdemeanor outcome for the client. On top of that, the sentence includes no jail, a minimum fine, and simply cooperating with the tax audit by the Dept. of Revenue and pay off what is owed.