Resolution: Dismissal. The client is alleged to have brandished a firearm during a road rage incident. He was arrested and kept in custody for several days on the possibility of facing felony charges. Ultimately, the County did not pursue them and the city pursued the assault charge. Even though it was a misdemeanor, it was a very serious one, considering the involvement of a firearm. The client is a veteran and retired law enforcement officer. Through this service, he developed PTSD that he had not addressed prior to the incident and was a major factor in it. Post-incident, he achieved sobriety and finally addressed his PTSD through therapy and EMDR (a wonderful therapeutic service that can work wonders). Through his hard-work and therapy, he finally started to get clarity in his life that had been missing. Mr. Gempeler and the North Star team then pushed for the incredible outcome of a dismissal - not via plea negotiations, such as a stay of adjudication - but an outright dismissal to ensure this incident would not hinder him moving forward. Thankfully, the local prosecutor was receptive to hearing about our client, his struggles, and then his proactive efforts. And, rightfully, he agreed with what we were after - a clean dismissal. Such a fantastic outcome was earned and just, considering the overall circumstances. This is why we do what we do - to get justice and help our clients get their lives back on track.

Resolution:

Dismissal and acquittal. The reckless driving charge was dismissed during pre-trial litigation after Mr. Gempeler correctly argued that the facts were insufficient to support such a baseless claim. And then, after not receiving any plea negotiation offers other than plead as charged, Mr. Gempeler won a court trial on the 117 mph speeding ticket. That's two trial wins in a row for this exact type of charge - which is nearly unheard of, considering how easy it truly is for a prosecutor to prove a speeding case. Undeterred, Mr. Gempeler is diligent in his approach, knowing the nuances and statutory requirements, and then how to effectively incorporate them into a successful cross examination and closing argument. Such a win not only prevented a criminal record, it also avoided a six-month loss of license that would otherwise come from a conviction for driving in excess of 100 mph.

Resolution: Plea to an amended count of careless driving. Client had no legal defenses, but wanted desperately to avoid a DWI conviction and the stigma associated with it. Mr. Gempeler had a pre-existing relationship with the prosecutor that paid off in achieving a non-DWI conviction and only one-year of probation. The North Star team achieved exactly what it set out to do, again.

Resolution:

Continuance for Dismissal. Two clients were charged with School Bus Stop Arm Violations each. After carefully reviewing the discovery materials, there were no defenses to either charge, as the crime was caught on squad video and the violation was clear as day. Mr. Gempeler was undeterred and strategically negotiated with the State by humanizing his clients and providing important context about the violations. The State relented and agreed to resolve both cases with Continuances for Dismissal. As long as the clients remain law-abiding for one year and pay the applicable fines, the charges will be dismissed. This resolution prevents criminal convictions and negative driving records, representing a significant victory for the clients.

Resolution:

Continuance for Dismissal. At first, there was no offer on the table to resolve this case. But, with Mr. Hoppe's persistence, he secured the best outcome for the client under the circumstances. As long as the client stays law-abiding for a year and pays the applicable fine, the case will be dismissed. To avoid a criminal record, let along a traffic record, is fantastic for the client and yet another example of the talent this young man has under our watch.

Resolution:

Stay of imposition plea to an amended count of failing to drive with due care. After the client completes minimal terms of probation, the conviction level will be reduced to a petty misdemeanor - making the end game a petty traffic violation. Mr. Gempeler raised a valid stop-issue argument that led to such an incredible offer. Even though we wanted to bring the fight still, the client simply could not turn down such a fantastic outcome.

Resolution:

Continuance for dismissal. Client and his wife got into a dispute that turned ugly. He knew he was in the wrong and took immediate steps to rectify it. He enrolled and completed multiple therapy sessions designed to address underlying mental health issues that resulted in anger and aggression. His wife remained supportive, understanding that these underlying issues were the cause of what happened. Mr. Gempeler successfully leveraged this into getting this phenomenal plea deal - literally the best plea deal available. Client is thrilled that he can move past this mistake without it jeopardizing his future.

Resolution:

A young man facing a serious charge—with the complaining witness demanding a year in jail and key evidence including video footage and seemingly incriminating statements—was up against long odds. These cases are typically unwinnable at trial, but Dan Adkins approached it with strategy, tenacity, and a deep dive into the facts. By scrutinizing the evidence and highlighting inconsistencies in the witness’s account, Dan was able to shift the narrative and open the door for negotiation. In the end, he secured a stay of adjudication—a result that meant no jail time, no conviction, and only minimal fines—allowing the client to keep his job, care for his child, and move forward with his life. At North Star Law Group, we bring this same level of dedication and creative problem-solving to every case we handle.