Criminal Defense Attorney Serving New Brighton

Getting arrested for a misdemeanor or felony crime can be a traumatic experience. For a first-time offender, it can be downright terrifying, from the police detainment to the fingerprinting, mugshot, and booking at the New Brighton City Jail. On top of that, there’s deep concern about how the arrest might affect the person’s family, job, and reputation. This is why many accused of crimes decide to hire an attorney.

If you’ve been arrested or charged with a violent crime, including assault or domestic assault, your situation is serious. Duffy Defense stands ready to provide you with the counsel and representation you need. Whether you reside in New Brighton, St. Paul, or another Minnesota community, we’ll collaborate with you to create a strategy that leads to the best possible outcome for your case.

Criminal Defense Legal Services Available in New Brighton, MN

Being arrested for or charged with a violent crime has serious immediate implications, such as substantial prison time and fines. A gross misdemeanor, for instance, carries up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $3,000, or both. Depending on the offense, a felony conviction could mean more than a year in prison, over $3,000 in fines, or both.

Felony convictions have consequences that can last for years, well beyond the prison term. They include challenges finding employment and housing, enlisting in the military, and obtaining federal student loans and grants. A convicted felon may also lose some civil rights, such as the right to own a firearm, vote, and serve on a jury.

If you’ve been arrested or charged with a violent crime, Duffy Defense will advocate for your law-preserved rights. Regardless of the offense you’ve been accused of, we’ll handle your case with compassion and respect as well as with the seriousness and determination that a criminal case requires.

Duffy Defense can provide legal advice and representation for a range of violent crimes in Minnesota, including assault, domestic assault, and manslaughter. Which offense were you accused of?

Assault

Minnesota law defines assault as an act or attempt to intentionally inflict bodily harm on another person or to threaten violence on another to the degree that they fear immediate harm. There are five degrees of assault, and they generally correspond to the extent of physical harm an act caused another person.

A first-degree assault involves acts inflicting great bodily harm on another person. It also covers assaults on police officers. It’s punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $30,000, or both. 

A second-degree assault is an act committed with dangerous weapons that inflict substantial bodily harm. It carries a prison term of up to seven years, a fine of up to $14,000, or both.

A third-degree assault is an assault that inflicts substantial bodily harm. It is punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Assaults in the first through the third degrees are all felonies.

A fourth-degree assault applies to acts that inflict “demonstrable bodily harm” on public servants, such as a police officer, a firefighter, or a probation officer. A fourth-degree assault against a police officer comes with a penalty of up to three years in prison, up to a $6,000 fine, or both. 

A fifth-degree assault is a misdemeanor charge for threatening bodily harm or death or inflicting or attempting to inflict bodily harm on another. It could become a gross misdemeanor if the accused has a previous conviction for offenses against the same victim.

If you’re facing an assault charge, the various degrees can be confusing. Look to Duffy Defense. We’ll explain in layman’s terms what these charges mean and the repercussions of the level of assault that applies to your circumstances.

Domestic Assault

Domestic assault includes acts that inflict bodily harm on a household or family member, such as a spouse or a child. Minnesota law divides these assaults into three categories.

• Misdemeanor: Up to 90 days in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both
• Gross Misdemeanor: Up to one year in prison, a $3,000 fine, or both
• Felony: Up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both

In addition to imprisonment and fines, a domestic assault conviction can lead to a restraining order, the loss of a professional license, and the loss of the right to carry a firearm.

Simple vs. Aggravated Assault

In Minnesota, an assault will be classified as either simple or aggravated. A simple assault, usually a misdemeanor, is an act that intentionally causes another person physical harm but without the involvement of dangerous weapons. The person who committed the assault may have pushed the victim or threatened to harm them. 

An aggravated assault, on the other hand, involves the use of a dangerous weapon — a gun, a knife, or even a baseball bat. These assaults are subject to a felony charge.

Manslaughter

There are two degrees of manslaughter in Minnesota: first-degree and second-degree. First-degree manslaughter is an intentional act that, for example, kills another person in the heat of passion. It carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $30,000, or both.

Second-degree manslaughter is causing the death of another person due to negligence. It’s punishable by up to 10 years in prison, up to a $20,000 fine, or both.

Criminal Defense Strategies

When you partner with Duffy Defense, we’ll draw from our broad knowledge of Minnesota criminal law along with our experience achieving positive outcomes for our clients. We’ll develop a strategy grounded in the law, and we’ll gather evidence that fits your circumstances. Your defense may be one of the following:

• Self-Defense: Your action may have been legally justified if you harmed the victim to protect yourself or another person
• Level of Intent: You didn’t intend to harm the victim (intent must be proven for some crimes)
• Challenge of the Evidence: The prosecution’s evidence may be weak, contradictory, or even illegally obtained 

We will take the time to thoroughly assess your case. If we find that the prosecution has credibility issues, we’ll move to challenge or suppress its use of evidence.

We Handle Most Types of Crimes

We provide legal services for most types of crimes, including the following:

• Homicide
• Sex crimes
• Driving while impaired
• Theft and property crimes
• Traffic offenses and license revocation

Duffy Defense is committed to fighting for a positive conclusion for each client’s case.

Why Choose Duffy Defense?

What makes a good Minnesota criminal defense attorney? A track record of success is vital, but so is deep knowledge of statutes, case law, and sentencing guidelines. Duffy Defense offers both. Our client testimonials attest to that.

But we also raise the bar with our communication style. We explain options to our clients using plain language. We keep them updated on their case’s progress. In addition, we promptly respond to all their questions and concerns.

Located a short distance from the Mississippi River in St. Paul, Duffy Defense is here to provide you with empathetic, respectful counsel and representation.

Have You Been Accused of a Crime?

If you have been accused of a crime, contact Duffy Defense for a consultation. Our firm is prepared to be your advocate. We’ll explain your rights, assess the evidence, and build the strongest defense possible for your case.