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 

Keeping Your Traffic Record Clean (Explained)

A clean Driver's Record is a valuable thing.  At a minimum, It can make the difference between police officer discretion breaking your way, or against you.  It can also save you money when it comes to motor vehicle insurance.  How can you keep your record clean?  Talk to an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney.

Solutions

In the State of Minnesota, there are many ways to keep a citation off of your driving reocrd.  Here are just a few.

Continuance for Dismissal.  The prosecutor can agree to continue the a ticket (like speeding, running a stop sign, etc.) for some period of time (like 12 months) on various terms and conditions.  Under this kind of agreement, at the end of the predetermined period, if all conditions have been met, the charge is dismissed by the court as agreed.  Here, no guilty plea is offered, no adjudication is made.  So, nothing is certified by court administration to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.  In general, these conditions include: payment of prosecution and court costs (instead of a fine), and no same or similar violations.  There are many local variations on the term used for this outcome, like: Agreement to Suspend Prosecution, Deferred Prosecution, Continuance Without a Plea.

Local or City Ordinance violation citation, instead of state statute.  Police officers have discretion to cite drivers with a violation of a local or city Ordinance instead of a Minnesota State Statute.  If they do, you should be able to pay the fine, and still benefit from it not going on your State of Minnesota Drivers License Record.  This is nice, but usually this is something the police officer can, in his or her discretion, decide to do for you.  It's unusual for prosecutors to do this, though it is no impossible.  

Stay of Adjudication.  Though less desirable than any of the above, a stay of adjudication will prevent the Court Administrator from certifying the traffic violation to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, which means it won't go on the Minnesota Drivers License Record.  A stay of adjudication involves either a guilty plea, or a finding of guilty after a trial, but the judge staying (delaying) adjudication of guilt upon conditions, for some period of time.  If the person does not violate a condition, it never become an adjudicated violation or conviction, and so never gets on the DL record.  Typical conditions include payment of money to the court, and no same or similar violations.  In criminal cases, a judge will be reluctant to give a stay of adjudication without prosecutor approval (or finding an abuse of prosecutor discretion) but in petty misdemeanor traffic cases this may not apply.

You are going to get one chance to get this right.  If you have any questions, feel free to call the Rolloff Law Office.  I'm a former prosecutor - I know how to help you with these sorts of matters. Call today: (612) 234-1165 

Maple Grove Prostitution Arrest (Explained)

Being charged with solicitation of a prostitute is a humiliating experience that can be devastating to your reputation and family relationships. While the penalty for this crime can vary greatly depending on the circumstances, even simple solicitation charges deserve the attention of an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney.

Prostitution and Minnesota Law

Under typical circumstances, the penalties for solicitation and prostitution are not as severe as other crimes. A first offense for soliciting a prostitute is a misdemeanor carrying a minimum fine of $1,000.  However ... if done in a public place, this may be increased.  Repeat offenders may also face a big fine and possibly jail.

Loitering with intent to either solicit or offer prostitution is also a misdemeanor. For those acting as prostitutes, a first offense is classified as a misdemeanor with a second or subsequent offense being elevated to a gross misdemeanor.

However, not all circumstances are considered "typical" and a charge of prostitution can do serious damage to a person's life.

Consequences (Beyond Court)

If you are here on non-immigrant visas such as an H1-B work visa, or are here illegally, the consequences of a criminal conviction go far beyond simply paying a fine or performing community service. You risk the revocation of your visa and possible deportation. With so much on the line, it is important to contact an attorney immediately to defend you.

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Prostitution arrests frequently involve undercover operations or surveillance. This raises certain evidentiary issues that an experienced Minnesota Prostitution Attorney is best equipped to address. If police violated your constitutional rights in the process of an investigation, an experienced attorney may be able to obtain a dismissal of the charges.


Is Solicitation of Prostitution a Felony?

Under most circumstances, solicitation of prostitution is a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor. There are, however, some instances when it can be a felony. This includes soliciting a prostitute under the age of 18.

Depending on the age, the penalty can be up to 20 years in prison. Moreover, knowingly housing an unrelated minor prostitute can carry a penalty of up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine. Lastly, a prostitution offense that would otherwise be a gross misdemeanor can be elevated to a felony if committed in a school zone or public park.

While acting as a prostitute is generally only a misdemeanor, the penalties for those who promote prostitution are very serious. A person convicted of sex trafficking in the second degree — which includes recruiting, promoting or receiving profit from prostitutes — can face up to 15 years in prison. In cases involving minor prostitutes, the penalty can be up to 20 years in prison and up to 25 years if certain aggravating factors are present. In addition, trafficking across state lines can lead to additional federal charges.

The Rolloff Law Office understands how important defending your reputation is if you have been accused of solicitation or other prostitution-related crimes. With free initial consultations and evening and weekend hours, I am available when you need me to address your concerns.  Call today: (612) 234-1165.

Minnesota Traffic Tickets (Explained)

In many instances, a traffic infraction will result in a ticket and a mark on your driving record. All to many individuals will simply pay the ticket and forget about the implications. However, the reality is that every traffic violation you commit can result in more than just a note on your driving record. You are also looking at higher insurance fees - on top of the fines and penalties. Additionally, traffic violations can add up to misdemeanor (and even gross misdemeanor) offenses. You may not only be looking at a poor driving record but also heavy fines, jail time, license revocation, vehicle impoundment and anger management classes.

As a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney, I'm asked on a daily basis about what to do about tickets.  Here are some ideas and suggestions:

SPEEDING AND RECKLESS DRIVING ARRESTS

Speed limit violations, speeding in a construction zone or school zone, reckless driving, erratic lane changes and "road rage" can all be classified as traffic violations. You will most likely be handed a ticket by the arresting officer. In some instances, you may be ordered to attend anger management courses or you may lose your license. It is possible to fight these charges, especially if the ticket was given on unjust grounds.

HIT AND RUN VIOLATIONS


Hit and run violations can be classified as a felony offense in certain instances which is why it is imperative to seek legal counsel as soon as you are accused of being involved in a hit and run case. If you are accused of a hit and run, you are innocent until enough evidence has been collected to prove you are guilty.  (Beware - if you're found guilty you can have your license taken away.)

DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE VIOLATIONS


If your license has been revoked or suspended or if you are caught driving without adequate insurance, then you will most likely lose your license for even longer and be facing further penalties and fines. It is possible to fight back against these convictions with the right legal defense.  (Even if you're "guilty" - an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney can help negotiate an outcome that preserves your driving privilege.)

Honestly, traffic violation cases can be a huge pain in the neck --- because who among us can afford to lose our license or have our vehicle impounded due to a few outstanding traffic violation tickets? This is why it is so important to fight back against traffic violations before they negatively impact your finances and your transportation freedom.  The Rolloff Law Office handles all manner of traffic violation cases, both inside and outside the court, and can provide you and your family with the aggressive representation, dedicated legal assistance and a sound defense that will make all the difference to your case.  Call today to set up a FREE consultation: (612) 234-1165.