If the right requirements are met, there are some crimes that many crimes that can be
expunged. Although the law changed in 2015, sealing your record isn't guaranteed. In all reality, an individual must have a
very good reason to have a charge/convictionexpunged, such as the negative
impact the criminal record is having on that person’s life. For
instance, an individual may have difficulty finding a job or finding a
place to live. If you need to know more, you should strongly consider consulting an experienced Minnesota Expungment Attorney.
Crimes That Can Be Expunged
A judge uses the law (and their own discretion) when a person requests to have a conviction
wiped off of their record so they can apply for a specific job or find a
place to live.
Some of the crimes that can be expunged include:
- Assault
- Felony or misdemeanor theft
- Disorderly conduct
- Obstruction of justice
The
expungement process is a complicated one and that’s why you need a
Minneapolis Criminal Defense Attorney to help you. A lawyer knows how to navigate the process when all you want to do is move on
with your life toward a better future.
Why Seek an Expungement?
The
reason why you want to go for expungement is due to the impact a criminal record has on you - now and in the future. Criminal records are
maintained at the city, county, and state levels. They document the type
of crime, when the crime occurred, details of the charges, the court
where the case was heard, and sentencing detail. The records become
public record, so employers, landlords, and anyone who needs to conduct a
background check on you can access them.
When your Dakota County Criminal Defense Attorney is able to have your record expunged, it does
not show up on these background checks. It is not completely erased in
case it does need to be accessed by law enforcement, but there is no
interference with you finding a good job, renting an apartment,
or going to the school of your choice. The short-term and long-term
advantages of expungement make undergoing the process worth it. Even the
legal cost is minimal compared to the earnings you will receive by
being able to work within a career that pays you what you are worth
rather than working in one that pays you pennies because of a criminal
record.
If
you have been convicted of a crime and you know or believe that you
qualify for expungement, The Rolloff Law Office can help you determine your
eligibility and can help you meet that goal if you are. An expungement can
help you start over and move on with your life toward a brighter future.
To find out more about what can be done for you and what your rights
and options are, call (612) 234-1165
Let's hope you never need to ask yourself this questions: Do I Need to Hire an Experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney? If you are pondering as much, maybe you should read this.
Question #1
I have been arrested for a crime, should I go ahead and plead guilty to get it over with?
Answer: Being charged with a crime is serious and should be addressed as such. One suggestions: do not plead guilty in an effort to just "get it over with." This
strategy can lead to more severe consequences - in the short & long terms - than you'd often get. Even
if you ultimately do want to resolve your case by entering a plea --- it is important that a lawyer
is there to tell you if your punishment is fair. Also, depending on the type of crime
you have been accused of, substantial jail time could be a penalty, as
well as huge fines, asset forfeiture, and lifelong consequences.
Pleading guilty without knowing all of this could leave you in
a position that you had never thought possible.
Questions #2
Why should I hire a Minnesota criminal defense lawyer?
Answer.
If you have been accused of a crime, the government has virtually unlimited resources to prosecute you. Whether that is a team of
lawyers, scientists, law enforcement officers, crime scene
technicians --- they will all be out to hold you accountable. When
you hire a skilled Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer, you are presented with the
opportunity to fight any/every allegation against you. A skilled attorney can help guide you through what can be a complex and
confusing legal system.
Question #3
When should I hire a lawyer?
Answer.
Time is of the essence. It is important that you hire a lawyer as soon as possible. The moment
you are arrested or caught up in an investigation, you need to
make the call. Whether it is three in the morning (or afternoon,) make sure to call an experienced
attorney as soon as possible.
Question #4
Do you guarantee the outcome of my case?
Answer.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to ensure results. As a matter of
fact, it is against the rules for any attorney to guarantee the outcome. However, as a former prosecutor, I can promise that by hiring the Rolloff Law Office, you will get somoen to fight for you ... who will put in the work necessary to gain you the right result.
Question #5
What does a criminal defense lawyer do for me?
Answer. There are several things that your lawyer can do for you:
- Provide representation while your case is being; investigated --- to maybe prevent criminal charges
- Challenge
the evidence at a Pre-trial;
- Formulate a defense that could result in the charges
being reduced or being completely dismissed; and
- Negotiate with the DA to work out the best possible outcome
When a school bus is stopped on a street or highway and displays an
extended stop-signal arm and flashing red lights, the driver of a
vehicle approaching the bus must stop the vehicle at least 20 feet away
from the bus. Failure to do so may result in a passing a stopped bus
charge. If you have been cited for violation Minnesota Statute 169.444 ... then you should contact an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney.
It is also a crime for a person to pass or attempt to
pass a school bus in a motor vehicle on the right-hand passenger side of
the door when the bus is displaying the pre-warning flashing signals.
Passing a Stopped School Bus Consequences
In
the State of Minnesota, someone convicted of failing to stop a vehicle while a
school bus has its stop-arm extended is guilty of a misdemeanor.
However, a person may also be charged with a
gross-misdemeanor if they fail to stop their motor vehicle and commit
one or both of the following:
- Passing or attempting to pass the school bus on the right-hand passenger-door side of the bus; and/or
- Passing
or attempting to pass the school bus in a motor vehicle when a child is
outside of and on the street used by the school bus or on the adjacent
sidewalk.
Driver’s License Sanctions
Depending
on the circumstances surrounding the offense, a passing a stopped
school bus conviction can lead to a driver’s license suspension or
revocation.
Illegally passing a school bus is a serious offense with
severe consequences. Having an experienced attorney is therefore
essential to ensure that your rights are protected throughout the legal
process. Call the Rolloff Law Office to get more information about what you can/should do ... so as not to make things any worse. FREE CONSULTATIONS: (612) 234-1165
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) keeps your driving
record --- it contains information about driving and licensing
violations in the State of Minnesota, as well as in other states. They also have the ability to withdrawn your privilege to drive by suspending, revoking or
cancelling it if you are found guilty of following serious or frequent traffic violations. This is a complicated charge ... and may require some assistance from an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney.
If
you plead guilty and your license is withdrawn, DPS will send you a notice of withdrawal and a list of
requirements to have your driver’s license reinstated. Here is what to expect:
Driving After Cancellation
Driving
after cancellation (DAC) is one of the most commonly charged crimes in
the state of Minnesota. It refers to a person that has had their
driver’s license or driving privileges cancelled and been given notice
of the cancellation, but disobeys the order by operating any motor
vehicle while the person’s license or privilege is cancelled. It is also
the most serious offense as it often relates to the driver having a
number of driving while impaired violations.
Why your license may be cancelled:
- Acquire a mental or physical disability that makes you incapable of driving a motor vehicle safely;
- Do not pass a test that is legally requested by DPS to determine your ability to drive safely;
- Give false or misleading information on your license application;
- Commit a crime for which cancellation of your license is a legal punishment;
- Do not qualify for a driver’s license under Minnesota law
DAC
can be charged either as a misdemeanor or a gross misdemeanor depending
on the reason for the cancellation in the first place. A misdemeanor
offense is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1000 fine.
If
the driving privilege was cancelled as inimical to public (DAC - IPS) safety as a
result of multiple DWI convictions, the subsequent DAC will likely be
charged as a gross misdemeanor.
If the DAC is charged as a gross
misdemeanor you will face up to a year of jail time and a $3,000 fine
per count.
Similarly, if you plead
guilty to or are convicted of driving after cancellation, you
automatically lose your license for at least 30 days. This is true even
if you had your license valid again before entering your guilty plea to
the DAC.
If you need help with a DAC-IPS charge, call the Rolloff Law Office for a FREE CONSULTATION: (612) 234-1165
At the Rolloff Law Office, we advise and
represent clients who have been arrested for drunk driving. We not only
prepare and present your strongest available defense, we also consider
the case from a broader perspective. We do everything we can to protect
you from the non-criminal consequences of a DWI conviction, just as we
work to resolve the criminal charges against you on favorable terms.
The formal term for drinking
and driving charges in Minnesota is DWI, short for driving while
impaired. The penalties for DWI have become more harsh in recent
years, and even a first-time offense will result in a revocation of your
driver's license.
An important part of our client service in DWI defense
is protecting your interests in license revocation/Implied Consent hearings and
applications for limited driver's licenses so that you can at least
commute to work.
Minnesota DWI Penalties
There are two tiers of penalties for Minnesota
DWI convictions, including guilty pleas, depending on the blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) evidence used against you.
Driving with a BAC of .08
percent or greater is punished less severely than driving with a BAC of
.20 percent. For commercial drivers, the maximum allowable BAC is .04
percent, and for persons under 21, a BAC as low as .02 percent can
result in a conviction. The penalties involve jail time, which is often
suspended for first offenders, heavy fines, and license revocation of
varying lengths depending on your BAC and how many DWI or DUI
convictions you have had in the last ten years.
What To Look For
At The Rolloff Law Office, our attorneys will not only analyze the circumstances of your
arrest and the details of your field sobriety and blood tests to see
whether your case can be defended on the merits, but we also look to
your broader situation to protect what you have to lose. Whether your
biggest concern is auto insurance, a probation violation, a professional
license or security clearance, or even the forfeiture of your car or
truck, we work with you and the prosecution to protect you from the
worst possible consequences of the charge.
Different Minnesota
counties handle DWI cases in different ways. As an experienced Minnesota DWI Attorney, I have been in almost every county in the state ... working with some prosecutor who allow plea
negotiations based on the specific circumstances of the evidence and
the defendant's situation, while others are not as flexible. My
experience with the effective defense of DWI charges can help
you make the right decisions based on a realistic appraisal of your
risks.
For a free consultation about our ability to
represent your interests effectively in defense of serious DWI charges,
contact an attorney The Rolloff Law Office at (612) 234-1165
