MN Traffic Tickets - Beat Them (Explained)

A traffic ticket may not seem very significant, but the effect it can have on your insurance coverage can be substantial that's why you should consider talking to an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney --- and see what can be done to keep it off of your record.  Beat the ticket and you protect the stability of your insurance premiums, you keep your driving privilege and your record stays clean --- protecting you against future problems.  

Minnesota Speeding Ticket Attorney 

The Rolloff Law Office has helped hundreds of individuals struggling with criminal charges --- and we've been successful in helping beat the following traffic violations involving:

• Speeding
• Careless driving
• Running stop signs
• Driving without proof of insurance
• Driving after license revocation
• Driving after license cancellation

Having worked with hundreds of clients facing various traffic violations, our team has gained extensive knowledge of the state laws surrounding those offenses above. We can effectively create a defense strategy that is customized to your specific needs.

Keeping your best interests in mind, our lawyers will fight to eliminate your charges and fines, or to significantly reduce them. We are committed to working with you to resolve your traffic violation in order to protect your driving privileges and keep your insurance rates low.

Contact the Rolloff Law Office today to schedule a free initial consultation regarding your criminal charge; call (612) 234-1165.  We are available to help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Beat Any Ticket - Every time (or Die Trying)

When you get a Speeding Ticket in Minnesota be prepared to pay more than the cost of the ticket. Specifically, your insurance company may raise your insurance rates. So, what are you going to do... think about talking to an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney about beating a ticket.  Honestly, the money you spend to keep the ticket off of your record will be a huge profit to you in the long run.

Understanding that almost any person that gets caught driving too fast will pay.Here's how we fight back!


Dispute the Police Officer's Opinion

Police officers often cite drivers for making unsafe turns or driving unsafely down a road. These tickets require the officer to put down his personal opinion and come to a subjective conclusion about what happened. If you have received a ticket where the officer needed to exercise some sort of personal judgment about the situation, you may be able to challenge that judgment. For example, suppose you were cited with an unsafe lane change while driving on the highway. If we show up to fight the ticket, we can argue that your lane change was safe given the weather and traffic conditions at that time. To further support our argument, we could also point out that the police officer was in front of you during the lane change, and that, due to the heavy traffic conditions, the officer most likely was paying more attention to the road in front of him rather than a car changing lanes behind him.

Subjective speeding tickets are also issued all of the time --- and it leaves it up to the police officer to determine whether a driver is driving at a safe speed. These speeding tickets are often challenged by those who are cited. If you have received a speeding ticket for going above the posted speed limit we ay be able to challenge the officer's opinion by proving that your speed was safe given the conditions. As an example, if an officer cites you for going 75 mph in a posted 65 mph zone, you may argue that your speed was safe because all of the cars in your lane were also traveling at 75 mph, and thus, it would be unsafe to drive at or below 65 mph.

Dispute the Officer's Evidence

There are yet other types of tickets where the police officer's judgment cannot be called into question. These tickets generally have to do with tickets that are clear cut, like running through a stop sign or making an illegal U-turn. Here, challenging a ticket involves challenging whether or not the officer saw you perform the ticketed action. The results of these types of cases will generally boil down to who the judge believes, and you, as the driver, will often have a high burden to overcome. However, there are certain types of arguments and evidence that you can present that may help your case by calling into question the officer's observations.

Some of the best arguments and evidence to present in such a situation are:

• Eyewitness statements from passengers, other drivers on the road or pedestrians that will confirm your story.
• Diagrams, diagrams, diagrams. The more clearly you can show where your car was in relation to the officer's car at the time of the citation, the more robust an argument you can make. For instance, a great diagram would show that the officer could not have seen you run a red light because he was trailing you too far behind to see whether or not your car was in the intersection at the time the light turned red.
• Photographs of the scene of the alleged traffic violation. Photographs can help you if, for example, they demonstrate your claim that a stop sign was obscured by an overhanging limb, or show that a traffic light was out of power at a certain time of day.

Present You Own Evidence 

In Minnesota, the judge hearing your case will be allowed to come to their own decision regarding the traffic ticket if presented with the right evidence. For certain types of tickets, like running a stop sign, you may be allowed to present evidence that you should not be required to pay the ticket because you made a "mistake of fact."

Mistakes of fact are mistakes made by drivers about the situation. To clarify, it helps to look at a few examples. First, it would be a mistake of fact if you were driving in two lanes because the lane markers were so worn down by use that you could not see them. Second, it would be a mistake of fact to make an illegal right turn because wind had recently blown down the no right turn sign.

Often, a judge will toss out a ticket that has been issued against you if you can show that you had inadequate notice. For example, if you regularly drive a stretch of road everyday and one day are ticketed for running a stop sign that was installed the previous day, you can argue that you had insufficient notice about the new sign, and that you made a mistake of fact. However, if the stop sign was up long enough for you to be aware of it, or if you never drove that stretch of road before, or if you were driving recklessly and failed to see the sign, you would probably not win this argument.

Argue that Your Driving Was Justified/Necessary

Another way to fight traffic tickets is not to deny or point out mistakes in the ticketing process, but rather to admit to the illegal driving but present another fact that makes the illegal driving justified and allowable. This is a great way to fight a ticket because you do not have to dispute the officer's statement or the charge in the ticket, but rather show circumstances that necessitated your driving.

For instance, if you were ticketed for driving too quickly on the highway, you may present evidence that you were passing a car that you thought had a drunk driver. In this situation, your speeding may be warranted as you were trying to prevent an accident that may have caused a multi-car pile up. However, this defense would be negated if the officer could prove that you kept your high speed even after passing the other vehicle on the road.

As another example, if you are ticketed for changing lanes recklessly and stopping on a highway, you may be able to fight the ticket by showing that you felt waves of dizziness and felt like fainting while driving. You pulled over your car and stopped as soon as you could so as to avoid passing out while driving. A judge could very well agree that your conduct was legally justified and throw out the ticket.

If you want to keep you insurance rates down - fight your tickets --- fight everyone of them.  As a former prosecutor, I've been involved in literally hundreds of trials on matters like these.  You would believe what good work can be done to protect you and your future.  Call the Rolloff Law Office today: (612) 234-1165

What To Do When you're Arrested (Explained)

Almost every cop show on TV has suspects doing the exact opposite of what an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney would recommend you do in the same situation.  Another way TV and real life are not remotely alike ... bummer.

Here's What You Should Do

To avoid any unnecessary drama, if possible, you should do the following if you're ever arrested:

1. Remain calm.
2. Do not resist arrest. Minnesota law does not allow the right to resist an arrest, even if you believe it to be an illegal one. 
3. Do not make any statements to the police. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. Your actions, if arrested, should be simply to say: “I would like to speak with my attorney.” This is your legal right, and the only thing you should say. 
4. Never lie. You are under no obligation to speak to law enforcement authorities. However, if you choose to speak to them, you are obligated to speak truthfully. If it can later be shown that you provided false information, you could be charged with making false statements or aiding an offender to escape arrest or prosecution. 
5. Do not give permission to search anywhere. If the arresting officer asks, it’s generally because he/she knows that they don’t have the right to search and need your consent. If you are ordered to hand over your keys, state that they do not have your permission to search. 
6. Do not believe what the police tell you in order to get you to talk.The law permits them to lie to a suspect in order to get you to make admissions. 
7. Do call your lawyer. You do have the right to make a local phone call and the police cannot listen if you call a lawyer. 
8. Do not invite the police into your home nor should you “step outside.” If the police believe you’ve committed a felony, they usually need an arrest warrant to go into your home to arrest you. If they ask you to step outside, they no longer need a warrant. Simply state that you’re comfortable talking right where you are. 
9. Do not accept an offer by police to let you go inside if you are arrested outside. When the police escort you inside, they’ll likely conduct a search without a warrant. Decline offers to secure your car safely for the same reason. 
10. Do have cash on hand to make bail. If you don’t and you are arrested on a Friday night, you’re in for a long week end in jail.

The truth is - in situations like an arrest --- the cops are not your friends.  They have a job to do --- and all too often that gets in the way of their ability to access common sense.

If you or someone you live needs help --- call a lawyer!  Get free answers by calling the Rolloff Law Office: (612) 234-1165.  

Minnesota Traffic Stops - (Explained)

Late last year, MPR reported that Minnesota Lynx player Seimone Augustus was stopped for having an air freshener hanging from her rear-view mirror.

Now, technically, this is against the law. And as a result, the police can conduct a stop for any violation of the traffic laws, "however insignificant."State v. George, 557 N.W.2d 575, 578 (Minn. 1997).

As a practical matter, the police often use minor technical violations as a reason to stop a person in the hopes of getting information or evidence relating to a more serious matter.

As a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney, I can tell you that tiny infractions like this turn out to be BIG problems.  Here are some (IMHO) helpful suggestions if you're stopped by law enforcement:

1. Be polite and respectful;
2. Do provide your identification and proof of insurance, if asked; and
3. Understand that you do not have to answer incriminating questions or make statements admitting that you broke the law.

If you have been stopped and issued a citation or charged with a crime, please contact the Rolloff Law Office so we can discuss how we can help.  Call today: (612) 234-1165.

Affordable Lawyer - How You Can Tell (Explain)

Whether or not you've dealt with a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney or Minnesota DWI Lawyer before, you probably assume one thing - it's going to be expensive. And, if you are like me or like most people, you want to get the best lawyer possible for the lowest amount of money possible. Is that possible?

The DWI lawyer or criminal defense lawyer you decide to hire is going to be trusted with a lot of responsibility. They are holding your life in their hands. If they don't do the work they promise, or put forth the effort they promise, or pick up the phone when you call, you could end up in jail, you could end up with huge fines, and you could wind up losing everything that is important to you. What is your freedom, your hard earned money, and your reputation worth to you?

The Rolloff Law Office Doesn't Bill By the Hour, and We Don't Ask For More Money

At The Rolloff Law Office, we have a very simple fee structure. We have one price for your case, and that's it. That price depends on several factors, including the difficulty of your case, the facts of your case, and the expertise required for your case. But that one price is all we'll ask for. That means if you want or need to go to trial, we'll go, without asking for more money. Most Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorneys don't offer that. Most attorneys make you pay more to go to trial. They do it because they don't want to go to trial. When you sign up with us, you can trust that we'll do whatever it takes to win your case.

With This Much At Stake, Do You Really Want the Cheapest Option?

A lot of people are scared off by the fees we charge. We aren't the most expensive criminal defense and DWI defense law firm out there, but we aren't the cheapest. And the reason we aren't the cheapest is we provide far more value than the attorneys out there selling you on price. What we offer is unlike any Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney out there. We offer great legal services, we offer great results, and we offer you the trust that at the end of the day we are doing everything we can to get the results you deserve.

A criminal charge is extremely serious. At a minimum you are facing 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. And the stakes only go up from there. I liken it to getting surgery. A bad result can affect you for the rest of your life. If you were getting brain surgery, would you want the cheapest guy you could find to do it? No. You'd want the best. You'd want someone with a proven track record. Even if you had to pay a little more for it. You'll get that with us.

If you need a Minnesota DWI Attorney, ready to help. We offer a FREE CONSULTATIONS and we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you. Call us today at (612) 234-1165 to find out how we can help you.

Hire an Affordable Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney

As an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney, I get a lot of questions about what individuals should consider when looking to hire a criminal attorney.

Among the many things you must consider, such as: do you feel comfortable with the attorney when you meet them face-to-face; is he going to spend the time necessary to understand the particulars of your case; and can he explain to you what to expect in terms of potential outcomes, and the risks involved --- you also need to look at these things.

1. EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE 

There simply is no substitute for hands-on experience in a criminal courtroom. It is by far the most important consideration in choosing a criminal lawyer. Every case is different, as are the personalities of each, judge, prosecutor and law enforcement officer. Attorneys that have been around the local legal landscape for a long time tend to be more expensive, but it is often money well spent. Former prosecutors are often good bets, as assistant county attorneys have often had extensive trial and plea bargaining experience that someone who starts out on the defense side might not have.

BUT, keep this in mind: If you have a unique case, or an especially complex case, younger lawyers with moderate experience tend to be hungry. They are eager to establish their own reputations. They will have more time to research caselaw and do background investigation. They will pour blood, sweat and tears into your defense. They might be willing to try a novel legal argument much quicker than a more established attorney. A less-established attorney will also have more time to spend with you one-on-one. They will have fewer cases, and will probably be paid less for each of those cases, so each case to the less-established attorney is important.

2. AVOID ATTORNEYS WHO PROMISE OUTCOMES

Criminal attorneys are seldom assured of any particular outcome in a case. We operate in a field that is filled with uncertainty. We can, however, offer you a forecast of what to expect when your case goes to court.

3. STREET SMARTS

Common sense and how the real world works is important. We are a people-based practice area, and have to understand practical realities. A grasp of legal statutes is critical, but criminal lawyers spend far more time with real people than holed up in law libraries.

4. COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND LISTENING

Look for an attorney that can explain the law to you in easy to understand terms. Does the attorney listen to your story without interruptions? Does he or she explain to you possible defenses you may have to a particular charge? If you come away from an initial consultation feeling befuddled or misunderstood, look for another lawyer.

5. SOMEONE WHO IS NOT AFRAID TO GO TO TRIAL

The client always controls the decision of whether to accept a plea offer or go to trial. Plea bargaining often results in the best possible outcome for a client. Good things, however, can also come from forcing the State to prove its case. Let your intuition tell you whether this is an attorney you can go into battle with.

As a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney, I pride myself on providing the best representation possible. I'm a former prosecutor (and before that I clerked for a judge) --- if it has happened in the courtroom I've seen and done it.  For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call the Rolloff Law Office today: (612) 234-1165.  Or, for more information, visit my website: rollofflaw.com.

Criminal Defense Answers - FREE!

I get lots and lots of questions as a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney.  Here are some of the most common and some real answers.

How do I choose an attorney?

When you are facing criminal charges, the quality and commitment of your defense attorney is a crucial issue. Will the attorney take the time to focus on your case? Will you be "just another number"? At the Rolloff Law Office I provide personal legal services on a one-on-one basis, and have a  "results-oriented" approach to defending charges. Couple that with my reasonable rates --- and almost anyone can have the quality defender the need, as well as the personal attention to your case that is actually necessary if you are hoping to avoid a conviction.

Will I go to jail for a DWI charge?

Any DWI offense carries the potential of a jail sentence. Under Minnesota law, even a first time DWI conviction can mean up to 90 days in jail and a fine of $1,000. If you have a prior conviction for a DWI (within the last 10 years,) including a test refusal or other aggravating factor, you could face third degree charges, which are punishable by up to 1 year in jail as well as a fine of $3,000. Felony DWI charges, when convicted can lead to up to 7 years in prison and a $14,000 fine. These cases involve 3 prior convictions, or one prior felony DWI conviction. Any DWI or DUI charge is serious and should be aggressively defended.

What if I discover I am under investigation for a violent crime?

If you are under investigation and not yet arrested, you can assume that an arrest will take place in the near future. It is crucial that you exercise your right to remain silent and do not engage in any interviews with law enforcement or other investigatory units without first retaining the services of the Rolloff Law Office. Protecting your rights in any questions can be a pivotal factor in defending against the charges when they are filed.

What criminal charges does your firm defend?

At my office, I am committed to providing an aggressive defense against all types of criminal charges, from any Drunk Driving arrest, through to probation violations or charges of Disorderly Conduct to all Theft crimes, from Misdemeanor to Felonies, as well as serious traffic offenses, and violent crimes, including Assault, Murder, Manslaughter, and Domestic Assault.

If you even think you need legal help --- call the Rolloff Law Office today to set up a FREE consultation at (612) 234-1165. 

Finding a Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer

It is unfortunately not always easy to find a good Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer. Here are some suggestions:

Referrals - It may be possible to find a criminal defense lawyer from somebody who is familiar with the lawyer's practice. For example, if you regularly work with a lawyer or law firm, that lawyer may be able to suggest a competent criminal defense lawyer in your area. If your county is served by a public defender's office, sometimes a defender's office will be willing to suggest a competent are defense lawyer. If you have a friend or family member who has been in trouble with the law, that person may be able to make some suggestions.

Courtroom Observation - You may wish to sit through some public sessions of court while criminal cases are being argued. If you find a particular lawyer's performance to be impressive, you may take note of the lawyer's name and later contact the lawyer about the possibility of representing you.

Professional Organizations - Each state, and some major cities, have organizations of criminal defense lawyers. Some of those organizations offer referral services or online directories, which you can use to find a defense lawyer in your area.

Directories - There are a number of online directories which include criminal defense lawyers, including Lawyers.com and FindLaw.

You've Found a Lawyer; Now What?

After you have located one or more attorneys whom you wish to consult about your case, call them to schedule appointments. (Find out at that time if they offer a free initial consultation, or if you will be charged for the meeting.) Try to speak with an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer over the phone before scheduling the appointment. Ask about the lawyer's general experience with criminal defense, and any specific experience with cases like yours.

Trust your instincts - if you aren't comfortable with an attorney you consult, try a different office. You do not have any obligation to hire a lawyer merely because you consulted with that lawyer. If your lawyer is promising you that your case is easy, or makes promises that you won't go to jail, speak to other lawyers before signing a retainer agreement - some lawyers misrepresent the gravity of a defendant's situation or the complexity of a case in order to entice the defendant to pay a retainer, and then blame the judge or prosecutor when the rosy scenario they initially promised turns out to be a nightmare.

What can it hurt to at least speak to a lawyer?  Many, like myself, offer a free consultations in order to gather facts concerning your case. Seriously, there are usually one or two key points I like to know in order to determine if you have a chance of beating a traffic ticket in court.

Sure, I can't guarantee that you will be able to have a traffic citation thrown out in court - or that the  Nor can fine will be reduced to zero. However, having had been a prosecutor myself - I have a lot of experience in using that "insider's" knowledge to earn my clients the outcomes they're seeking.  Call the Rolloff Law Office today to get FREE answers: (612) 234-1165.

Does Hiring a Minnesota Traffic Lawyer Really Help?

So you got a ticket --- the question that often comes to mind is: Will Hiring a Lawyer Help?

Obviously, you know the answer to this question is yes. Why would I, a Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer, write this if the answer was no?  That being said, I'm not just going to leave it at that. I'm going to break it down for you a little bit, show you how we can help, and hopefully convince you that the next time you get a speeding ticket in Minnesota, or any other traffic ticket for that matter (unless it's a non-moving violation), that you get help from a traffic lawyer.

Don't Take My Word For it - Go To Court and See For Yourself

If you've never been to traffic court before and wonder just exactly what it is that we traffic lawyers do, take a morning off and go down and watch. You will quickly see a pattern forming.

The first thing that you'll see is nearly every ticket a traffic lawyer argues gets dismissed or reduced. Time after time they'll step up, make a few arguments (some of which I've outlined in this blog before), and the judge will dismiss the case or the prosecutor will move to amend the ticket.

Then you'll see the people without attorneys get up. They'll try their best, they might even do it with conviction, but one after another they will lose, lose, lose. The bottom line is these people are simply out of their area of expertise.

Think about it like this. When I have a problem with my plumbing I call a plumber. When I have a problem with my car I call a mechanic. When I recently had a problem with my finger I went to the doctor. Why wouldn't you do the same thing with a speeding ticket?

Traffic Lawyer Know There Sh*t

Okay, let me pull that back just a little bit - I know that at the Rolloff Law Office at least we know what we're doing. And, of course, there are others out there that know what they are doing.

We spend some part of every single day working on beating speeding tickets. That's why we're so good. That's why, when we're in court, we take care of business. That's why it's a good idea to hire us.

Is the Cost Worth the Benefit?

Most speeding tickets range in price from $85 all the way up to $1,085. If you add in No Insurance or some other infraction, the potential fines can easily reach well into the thousands. And that doesn't even begin to count the insurance increases that could happen with a speeding ticket conviction. With all that on the line, isn't it worth $250 bucks to pay a traffic ticket lawyer to help you out?

Other Benefits

There's a reason I'm a Minnesota Traffic Attorney and not a probate attorney or a business attorney - I like the idea of being the hired gun, the person to come in and take care of business and get you out of trouble. And I love it when people brag about having someone "on the payroll" to fix any traffic ticket they might get.

Maybe you like doing stuff on your own. Maybe you think you'll just subpoena the cop and he won't show up (he will). Maybe you think $250 is too much to spend on a lawyer (it isn't.) Whatever the reason, if you decide to fight your speeding ticket on your own, you're putting yourself at a huge disadvantage. Before you go it alone, give us a call to see if we can help. There's no obligation, and it might be the best call you've ever made.  Call the Rolloff Law Office today at (612) 234-1165 to set up a FREE CONSULTATION.

Avoid a Minnesota Speeding Ticket

All too often, I get calls "after the fact" - that is after someone gets a ticket.  For those of you hoping to avoid making a call to an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney, here are some helpful suggestions about how to avoid getting a speeding citation.


1. Never Admit That You Were Speeding
If you do get pulled over, if I can offer you one suggestion --- Never admit that you were speeding. You don't want to give the cops any ammunition to use against you if you want to challenge your ticket in the future.  So, when the officer tells you that you are speeding, giving a brief, noncommittal response like, "I see" or "I was not aware of my speed" is the best course of action.  (Not the best way to go: sarcastically asking - "What's the problem, Officer?" won't help you.)


2. Know That Your Vehicle Says Something About You


Most officers decide whether you're getting a ticket or a warning before they even approach your vehicle. A good rule of thumb is to keep your car maintained in such a way that you wouldn't be embarrassed to drive it to a job interview. Keep it clean, decluttered, and free of bumper stickers that are anti-police or pro-violence. Also, don't have any aftermarket add-ons like spoilers, tinted windows, and neon undercarriage lights. You want to say "I'm responsible and law-abiding," not "I hate the police, I speed all the time, and I'm trying to hide something from you."

3. Plead Not Guilty, and Continue out Your Court Date as Many Times As You Can


The more time you put between your speeding encounter and your court date, the better.  This about it, just how many people does an officer pulls over in a month. How many of them do you think they'll remember two or even six months from now, especially if you take your ticket quietly and move on? The more continuances you can reasonably request, the more time you have to collect your evidence and prepare your defense — and the less specific that officer's recollection of you will be. Getting a continuance also increases the probability that the ticketing officer retires, transfers to another department, or just doesn't show up for your court date. In almost all of these extenuating situations, the case against you will be dropped.

If you think you need help with a traffic ticket - you probably do need help.  Call the Rolloff Law Office today at (612) 234-1165 to get FREE Answers.