Stay of Adjudication, an inconceivable result, after the complaint was drafted... this gentleman, who was on an epic (and likely life-ending) bender, was confronted by his teenage son, and then five police officers--and he did not react well. The entire event is videotaped, including our man stealing a taser and attempting to further harm an officer. He narrowly avoided a felony complaint, but the city was not happy to receive him... until Dan and the client proved his sobriety, and his commitment to his family, and his career as an E.R. nurse. The result? Staggering success, no jail, no loss of employment, a couple of utterly heartfelt apology letters to the officers (and his son) involved, and another amazing win for North Star.

Stay of adjudication. Client was charged for physically disciplining his young children. Because of the age, it was a felony count and the State obviously took the allegations very seriously. Despite that, the allegations left room for interpretation - after all, a parent has a right to physically discipline their child under the corporal punishment statute. Leveraging that and the client's non-existent record, Mr. Gempeler worked hard to push for this incredible outcome. The client is able to earn the non-conviction and move forward with his life without a damaging criminal record.

Stay of Adjudication. Mr. Kehren, on his third-year practice certificate and before he became a full member of the bar, took the reins with Mr. Adkins' oversight and crushed expectations! Client was looking at a nasty conviction, a long weekend or worse in jail, and a lifetime bar on firearms rights, but no longer. Mr. Kehren convinced a seasoned (and conservative!) prosecutor to give our client a chance at redemption. Simply extraordinary results, and we’ll see more like this from Mr. Kehren very quickly and for a long time hence.

Stay of Adjudication. The client thoroughly assaulted her ex-boyfriend's side lady and there were no meaningful defenses. Making matters worse, as an educator, an assault conviction could lead to a loss of career. The State's initial offer was to a plea and conviction. Undeterred, Mr. Gempeler and his team pushed back, leaned on the right leverage pieces (including a somewhat plausible self-defense claim), and negotiated this fantastic result through creative negotiations.

Stay of Adjudication. Mr. Adkins is becoming a bit of a wizard in the Greater Minnesota counties; nowhere did this benefit a client as much as in this case, with a man facing a possible long jail or even prison sanction for heinous threats against his neighbor (a former police officer). However, with great patience and a highly precise approach to treatment and restorative justice, the client exits with a Stay of Adjudication, no conviction, light terms on probation, and a path to full expungement of this matter in less than two years. Ridiculously wonderful results.

Acquittal at trial. Client was alleged to have pulled a gun on his brother-in-law, while threatening him. If convicted, he would've faced a mandatory 3-year prison commitment. From the very beginning, he was adamant the charges were false, and he wanted his day in court. Mr. Gempeler put on a masterful trial, hammering every witness the State called and even flipping the officers to lay positive foundational testimony for the closing. The jury deliberated for less than two hours - a remarkably short time, especially over a lunch hour. The County Attorney was flustered the entire trial, never able to counter the sound strategy and technique Mr. Gempeler used throughout. You know it's a good trial performance when the primary bailiff compliments the attorney, and two jurors waited in the courthouse lobby after the trial for a business card because they were so impressed and wanted the North Star team should they ever need us. Delivering justice for a deserving client is why we do this and is the best feeling in our line of work.

Plea to an amended count of fifth degree assault (non-domestic in name). What's more, the sentence included no time to serve, a minimal fine, and otherwise simple terms and conditions of probation for only one year. Considering the client's child witnessed the alleged strangulation, obtaining this non-felony, non-custody outcome is incredible. The client did everything asked of Mr. Gempeler following the incident - obtaining a chemical dependency assessment, achieved provable sobriety, and complied with his alcohol monitoring. The client's wife - the victim - remained supportive and helped explain the critical impact alcohol had in the overall situation. And after everything, the client is able to move forward with his life in the best position possible following such a regrettable mistake.

Stay of adjudication with minimal terms of probation above and beyond what the client is already doing. This was a rather non-descript case - an assault caused by severe impairment. The client did the right things after in getting an assessment and cutting out alcohol. Still, the County Attorney took the case much more serious, demanding a conviction and possible time to be served initially. Undeterred, Mr. Gempeler pushed back, even had the case set for trial, and continued pressing on the prosecutor to get the appropriate and just outcome. Finally, after these strategic efforts and dogged negotiations, the client got the right deal and is happy to be able to move forward without this drunken night further impacting him.