Departure to a gross misdemeanor sentence, with no time to serve, over the State's objection. Client was charged with intentionally firing multiple rounds over a house in a neighborhood one morning. Multiple people were inside the residence at the time. Needless to say, very serious allegations with multiple "victims" - both inside the residence and neighborhood. Our client, though, was in the midst of a mental health breakdown and suffering from significant chemical dependency. Through North Star's guidance, he engaged in treatment, achieved sobriety, and entered counseling with his girlfriend. The last step was finding a judge who would be sympathetic to our arguments and efforts to get a non-felony outcome. After a few re-settings and finally getting the right judge, the North Star team submitted a strong argument and got the result the client wanted, in full - no felony and no jail. What seemed like a long-shot at the outset was realized thanks to North Star's team effort and smart advocacy.

Stays of Imposition to 4 counts, no jail, minimal fine, and the only meaningful condition of probation was to comply with an audit, which we also ensured certain rights and arguments were preserved for the civil audit process. The client had a mess and faced the possibility of prison with these charges. Plus, when retained to replace a prior counsel - a notable tax defense attorney that had an undisclosed conflict of interest - the client instructed the North Star team that he was not going to trial, meaning our hands and leveraging ability were somewhat tied. Working closely with his civil tax attorney, we set out to achieve the best possible outcome and painstakingly negotiated an outcome that put him in the best position possible for the audit process. In the end, the client will be left with only misdemeanor convictions.

Plea to an amended count of disorderly conduct. No time to serve, minimal fine, and an easy year on probation. The case was in the midst of jury selection when the State finally came to its senses and gave us the outcome we've been seeking since the beginning. Though we were ready for trial and had an excellent trial strategy, the juror pool was admittedly less than ideal. But, with the added pressure of a trial looming and our prep on full display, the State came around and the client immediately jump at the opportunity to resolve this for a misdemeanor disorderly conduct. He avoided risking a felony trial and all that comes with it, and assured himself an outcome that can keep him on the right path moving forward. To say this is a win is an understatement. Client is thrilled with the outcome and North Star's hard work on his behalf.

Stay of adjudication on both counts. The client had no defenses to these serious charges. But, the North Star team worked with her to get the therapy and programming she needed, and then did a thorough job of humanizing her, explaining the issues she's been dealing with (namely, the trauma she's endured from being a victim of a recent sexual assault). Thankfully, the prosecutor was empathetic to these struggles and agreed to this incredible outcome. With this outcome, our wonderful client will not have a criminal conviction on her record, will stay on track with working through her trauma and programming, and can thankfully advance in her life without fear of a daunting criminal record. Typically, achieving a non-conviction record for both a felony drug and DWI case is damn near impossible - but not for the North Star team. We go above and beyond to fight for our clients that need and deserve these atypical results. We are so proud of our client for all that she's accomplished and thankful to help in her journey.

Stay of imposition on the 4th degree sexual contact charge. The client was charged for statutory rape and had no defenses as DNA evidence was conclusive of the crime. Undeterred, the North Star team worked with the client to take meaningful proactive steps - even addressing minor setbacks that occurred along the way - that led to the needed leverage to negotiate this favorable outcome. More, at sentencing, Mr. Gempeler successfully argued for no jail time to be imposed, avoided random testing, and even avoided a no contact provision with the client's significant other's child - a must for him and his girlfriend. All in all, the outcome and sentencing could not have been better for the client. He is now on track to continue advancing in his life, without having this matter be an absolute holdup to his future.

Stay of Adjudication. This case, handled initially by a well-respected dean of the criminal defense bar for more than 18 months and with no offer better than a lifetime felony (and cancellation of commercial license opportunities permanently), vs. a nearly impossible trial to win, presented Mr. Adkins with some sizable challenges. After five months of careful negotiations, Mr. Adkins and the North Star team secured a Stay of Adjudication, with absolutely no jail to serve, no work service, no fine, probation to the court, and as little as one year to dismissal and the start of an expungement campaign. Client is ecstatic, and can focus exclusively on building his growing business and caring for his extended family, without the fear or impact a felony record would necessarily bring. A massive win.

Stunning result... Client already in prison, serving a parole violation, gets essentially time served, rather than a possible life sentence, in a high-profile murder case, without the requirement to testify on behalf of the State. A lifetime in defense work has left Mr. Adkins in position to negotiate from strength, but with compassion and verve--and it matters, for complex cases, and clients facing such massive draconian results. His family cannot wait to have him back, and now they will, and soon.

Departure granted. Sentenced as a gross misdemeanor over the State's strenuous argument. The client had made drunken threats of shooting up a bar and made a hand-gun motion. Despite this, the North Star team convinced the judge that these were less serious facts than a typical threats of violence case, which is not a small undertaking. With a well-researched written argument and a strong oral summation at the sentencing hearing, the Court agreed that the defense had proven to be correct and granted the departure. For a gentleman that enjoys hunting with family, this was a critical and fantastic result.