Minneapolis Criminal Defense
Being arrested for or charged with criminal activity in the Minneapolis area can place you in a difficult and confusing situation. At Duffy Defense, we understand that this is a difficult time for you and your family. In addition, you need to know what your rights are and how to protect them. The simple fact is that an attorney who is on your side could defend against these charges and pursue a positive outcome.
The team at Duffy Defense is ready to help you. We can explain the charges you face, describe what a prosecutor needs to prove in court, evaluate the evidence, and develop a defense that helps defeat these allegations every step of the way. Wherever your case is in Hennepin and north Ramsey Counties, our Minnesota criminal defense lawyers are here to fight for you.
Types of Cases That Duffy Defense Can Handle
Allegations of criminal activity under Minnesota law come in many forms. Some are misdemeanors where, according to Minnesota Statute § 609.02 (3), a conviction can result in no more than 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Under MN Stat. § 609.02 (2), others are felonies where any guilty verdict can bring at least one year in prison.
Some examples of felonies and their penalties include:
First-degree murder, for which a conviction results in a life sentence.
Felony theft, which can result in five, ten, or twenty years in prison and fines ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.
A felony DWI, which can result in a four-year license revocation, seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine.
Vehicular manslaughter, which can result in up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
Whether your case is a felony, misdemeanor, or even a traffic court issue, Duffy Defense is ready to help. Our firm handles:
Theft and property crimes
Drug crimes
Driving while impaired
Traffic crimes and license revocation
Expungement and gun rights restoration
Pre-charge representation
Assault and violent crimes
From the day of your first meeting, we are prepared to take over your defense. Our experienced attorneys can provide an assessment of your case and identify realistic goals that aim to limit the impact of the arrest on your present and future.
Minnesota law allows some criminal convictions to be expunged after a specific period of time. The team at Duffy Defense is ready to explore if this option is available to you.
What to Expect During a Criminal Case
All criminal cases in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or the surrounding towns and suburbs follow the same basic procedure. In most examples, a case begins with an arrest and booking in a local police station. Even at this early stage, it is possible to harm your case by providing unnecessary information to police officers or providing improper answers to questions. The best thing you can do when an officer reads your rights to you is to request an attorney and then take advantage of your right to remain silent. When you call us while you’re still in police custody, Duffy Defense can help limit the impact of interrogations and potentially argue for a release without formal charges.
If a case goes to court, it will begin with an arraignment. Here, a judge will formally start a criminal case and discuss issues related to pre-trial release. A Minneapolis criminal defense attorney from Duffy Defense will argue for fair bail terms that allow you to await the outcome of your case from the comfort of your home.
The next sessions in court will be pre-trial hearings. These are opportunities for the State and your attorney to exchange vital evidence. They are also chances for lawyers to argue important points of law concerning what information a jury may hear during an eventual trial.
These sessions are also opportunities to discuss formal plea deals that bring a case to an end through an admission of guilt. While this will result in a conviction, it is often a way to reduce your charges or work towards a lesser penalty. A lawyer from Duffy Defense could help determine whether a plea deal is an option for you and fight for better terms that limit any potential jail time or fines.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
Many people assume that once they are under arrest their case will eventually go to trial. While everyone has the right to a trial, the fact is that criminal trials are rare. In fact, most cases conclude long before the scheduling of a trial date.
One option is to seek out a fair plea deal. Here, a Minneapolis criminal defense lawyer can work with the prosecutor to secure a better outcome.
Other cases end with a prosecutor dropping the allegations without bringing the case to trial. This often occurs after successful evidentiary motions that eliminate key parts of the State’s case. For example, a lawyer from Duffy Defense may argue that:
Police used improper interrogation techniques
A search occurred without a valid warrant
A witness is ineligible to testify
Scientific methods used to analyze data were inaccurate
Even if these arguments eliminate some of the prosecution’s case, it is still possible the case will go to trial. A Minneapolis criminal defense lawyer can build a compelling case and present powerful arguments to the jury that aim to create reasonable doubt and secure an acquittal.
Contact the Duffy Defense Team Now
Every allegation of wrongdoing is a cause for serious concern. From simple traffic court matters to misdemeanor cases to serious felony accusations, these events can have a significant and long-lasting impact on your life. All cases have the potential to bring severe financial problems, and the most serious examples can come with lengthy prison sentences upon conviction.
The team at Duffy Defense is here to help. From day one, we’ll explain your rights, evaluate the prosecutor’s case, determine the best defense possible, and implement that defense. We are ready to fight during arraignments, pre-trial sessions, and full trials. Reach out to us now to schedule your consultation.
Getting to the Duffy Defense Office
Our office serves people throughout the Greater Minneapolis area. This includes Hennepin County and the areas in north Ramsey County, such as Maple Wood and New Brighton. In addition, we handle cases from clients in:
Roseville
Mounds View
White Bear Lake
Shoreview
Arden Hills
Bloomington
Brooklyn Park
Plymouth
Here’s how to reach our office at 370 Selby Avenue, Suite 207, in St. Paul from anywhere in Minnesota:
From the North:
Take I-35E S toward St. Paul
Take exit 240 to St. Anthony Ave
Turn left onto Dale St
Turn left onto Selby Ave
Destination will be on the right
From the South:
Take I-35E N toward St. Paul
Take exit 106B for W. Kellogg Blvd
Turn left onto W. Kellogg Blvd
Turn left onto John Ireland Blvd
Turn right onto Selby Ave
Destination will be on the left
From the East:
Take I-94 W toward St. Paul
Take exit 241A for Marion St
Turn right onto Marion St
Turn right onto John Ireland Blvd
Turn left onto Selby Ave
Destination will be on the left
From the West:
Take I-94 E toward St. Paul
Take exit 241 for Rondo Ave
Turn left onto Marion St
Turn right onto John Ireland Blvd
Turn left onto Selby Ave
Destination will be on the left
Areas Served
