Saturday, June 28, 2014

Should I Hire A Lawyer to Fight a Traffic Ticket



A question I get, as an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney, from people who have received traffic tickets for such traffic infraction as speeding, no seat belt, no motorcycle endorsement, failure to wear corrective lenses ... is: Should I hire a lawyer to help me with my traffic ticket?


While it does cost to hire a lawyer, what an experienced Minneapolis Traffic Ticket Attorney can save you in fines, fees, court costs, time and especially car insurance premiums, will normally far exceed the up-front cost of an attorney. 

Often, no one, including the prosecutors, wants to see your insurance rates go up, but to take advantage of the various methods to keep your costs down (including insurance points and costs), you often are required to get professional help to get a deal which keeps an infraction off of your record. 
 
So, before you just pay the ticket because you're guilty ...    think about saving yourself the lengthy, costly, and oftentimes ongoing hassle of increased court costs, fees, fines, and insurance costs/points by hiring an attorney. 
 
Call the Rolloff Law Office --- we will ask you all of the appropriate questions, run your driving record, and negotiate with the District Attorney to figure out the best method of handling your ticket, which can (and often does) save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the long run.  
 
Call today: (612) 234-1165 

Friday, June 13, 2014

Domestic Assault Lawyer - Richfield


DOMESTIC ASSAULT is a crime in the State of Minnesota and it can be charged out as a Misdemeanor, Gross Misdemeanor or Felony.  Additionally, the charge and/or a conviction can have lasting negative consequences to a defendant and his or her family.  This is why you should get answers from an experienced, Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney --- before things turn into an even bigger mess.    

What are the Non-Criminal Consequences of a DOMESTIC ASSAULT Charge or Conviction?

1. Domestic Assault No Contact Order (DANCO)


Even though a defendant in a criminal case is “presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” it is very common for a DANCO order to be put in place early on in the case by the judge. A DANCO order is aimed at keeping the defendant away from the alleged victim while the case is pending. (The DANCO order will also often continue well after the case has been resolved.)

Often the issuance of a DANCO order creates an extreme hardship for the defendant and his or her family. As part of the DANCO order the judge will place restrictions on the defendant’s ability to return home. Where kids are involved, this can be very challenging for the entire family. But, even where there aren’t kids in the picture, a defendant that cannot return home to retrieve his or her property and other necessities are terribly inconvenienced. Moreover, because a DANCO order compels the defendant to avoid direct and indirect contact and communication with the alleged victim, it is extremely difficult to arrange for the return of the defendant’s property.  


2. Anger and Chemical Use Assessments

Most judges will order an individual convicted of Domestic Assault to submit to an anger management assessment. In addition, if there was any alcohol or drug use by the defendant in connection with the incident, then the judge will likely also order the defendant to submit to a chemical uses assessment as well.  After the assessment process is complete, the Judge (or probation) will review the assessment and associated recommendations. The judge then, as part of the Sentencing Order, orders the defendant to comply with all of the assessment’s recommendations. For example, if an anger management assessment recommends that a defendant attend a specific anger management class, then the defendant must attend (and pay for) that specific class. Moreover, if a defendant fails to follow the assessment’s recommendations, then a judge may find that the defendant has violated a term of probation and needs to serve time in jail.  

3. Harm to Employment/Employment Prospects 

Under Minnesota law, an employer may be able to fire an employee because of a criminal charge or conviction. In addition, job applications often ask the applicant if he or she has been convicted of a crime. Unfortunately, Felony Domestic Assault is a crime and would have to be disclosed on a job application. Moreover, a conviction for Felony Domestic Assault would most assuredly show up on a criminal background check.
  

 
Why you should contact Richfield Domestic Assault Attorney Jay Rolloff?

Jay Rolloff is a Minnesota criminal defense attorney with experience both prosecuting and defending people charged with Domestic Assault. To find out how to resolve your case in the most favorable way possible for you, contact The Rolloff Law Office for A FREE CONSULTATION on your Richfield Domestic Assault case. Call: (612) 234-1165.