Criminal Expungement in Minnesota

An expungement is a process by which a criminal record is sealed and is unable to be                                          accessed by members of the general public. It is important to note that expunged records are sealed, not destroyed,… Read more »

What Happens to Your Case in a Pandemic?

Were you arrested and wondering if or when you will be charged? Did a police investigator interview you and you haven’t heard back? Or maybe you’re in the middle of another case which has been bumped from the court calendar with a “Pandemic Continuance” note. COVID-19 has changed lives for many people and institutions. You… Read more »

Why You Should Hire a Lawyer Even If You Believe You’re Guilty

We all make mistakes in life. If we didn’t, we’d never learn anything and grow as a person. Sometimes the mistakes we make hurt others and sometimes they have legal consequences as well. If you’ve made a mistake in judgement and committed a crime, and then been arrested and accused of that crime, the first… Read more »

Hennepin County Jury Acquits Lesch Law Firm Client

Defendant Successfully Asserts Self Defense Today, John Lesch concluded a jury trial brought by Hennepin County against H.S. (name withheld), who for years had been beaten for years by her ex boyfriend. He has convictions for stalking her, and for a felony assault against her which resulted in a concussion, broken bones, and chipped teeth… Read more »

‘The Drug Whisperer’ | Drivers arrested while stone cold sober

DRUNK DRIVING ARRESTS ARE DOWN SHARPLY AFTER DECADES OF AGGRESSIVE ENFORCEMENT WHILE DRUGGED DRIVING ARRESTS ARE CLIMBING. THAT’S WHY GEORGIA HAS MORE THAN 250 OFFICERS WITH SPECIAL ‘DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERT’ TRAINING. BUT THE 11ALIVE INVESTIGATORS DISCOVERED THOSE ‘EXPERTS’ SOMETIMES PUT INNOCENT PEOPLE BEHIND BARS. Drunk driving arrests are down sharply after decades of aggressive enforcement,… Read more »

Minn. Appeals Court: Giving fingerprint to unlock phone is constitutional

Appeals judge says suspects can be com­pelled to give print, as with blood sample. A court order compelling a suspect to provide a fingerprint to unlock a cellphone doesn’t violate their constitutional rights, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday. Although the court has allowed police to obtain blood, fingerprint or handwriting samples even against… Read more »

How Does a Criminal Charge Affect Your Record?

When your’e charged with a crime, one of the things you should think about is how the charge affects your job, career, college, or housing prospects years down the line. There are three most important factors in determining how it will affect your future is (1) the charge itself, (2) the consequences of conviction, and… Read more »

Legislators, law enforcement strike landmark drug reform deal

Minnesota legislators and criminal justice leaders have struck a deal on what could be the most significant reforms to the state’s drug laws in decades. The proposal came after months of closed-door discussions between legislative leaders and various interest groups, such as law enforcement, prosecutors and defense attorneys. If passed, it would dramatically lower penalties… Read more »

Supreme Court hears arguments in Minnesota implied-consent law

WASHINGTON – Eight Supreme Court justices on Wednesday heard Dakota County’s argument that police officers should be able to criminally punish someone for refusing to consent to a blood, breath or urine test in a roadside stop, testing the constitutionality of a law upheld by the Minnesota Supreme Court. The court heard from Kathryn Keena,… Read more »

U.S. Supreme Court set to weigh state’s breath test law

WASHINGTON – Minnesota’s hotly debated law that makes it a crime for suspected drunken drivers to refuse a breath test is facing its toughest test Wednesday as the U.S. Supreme Court weighs the constitutionality of the measure. Two attorneys representing Dakota County will argue on behalf of Minnesota in State vs. Bernard, while D.C.-based attorney… Read more »