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.

Case dismissed on the day of trial. Mr. Adkins convinced the State its challenges were too great, removing the need to consider a felony plea and possible jail time. The client is overjoyed, and has already obtained a full expungement of this matter, erasing a year of utter torment and needless worry. When North Star keeps racking up these total wins, other firms are trying to find soft landings… hire the ace, right from the start, and you’ll never regret it. Dan and James rise in the practice by the hour, due to the amazing team we have here, the boundless energy we bring to this work, and (it needs to be said) the special people that get referred to us and that hire us from this website. Please keep our team and our win total growing, call us immediately, should you need a powerhouse legal team.

Stay of adjudication. The client had retained other defense counsel, but switched to North Star after her former attorney demonstrated a lack of will and fight. Once North Star took over, we worked hard to humanize our client, explain the major consequences that could come from a conviction, and fought tooth and nail to get a new offer on the table that would permit us to argue for a stay of adjudication to the Court. The State did not agree and, in fact, argued for a stay of execution at sentencing. Despite this, Mr. Gempeler successfully convinced the Court to grant the stay of adjudication - over state objection, which rarely happens (and technically shouldn't by law) - and give the client the second chance she so deserves.

Acquittal at trial on ALL nine counts. A vigorous case led to a trial that spilled in to a second week. The North Star team fought tooth and nail the entire case and prepared a strong self-defense and defense of others defense. While the video evidence supported these affirmative defenses, ultimately defending 13 bullets and two innocent minor bystanders getting hit is no easy task. But, Mr. Adkins and Mr. Gempeler were up to the task. After the case was submitted, the jury deliberated for only 3 hours (including the lunch hour) before returning Not Guilty verdicts on all nine counts. The client and his family got the justice he so rightfully deserved and they are thrilled they had the North Star team fighting for them when they needed it the most.