St. Paul Criminal Defense Lawyer
Since 1963, our top-rated trial attorneys have advocated for clients charged with serious drug offenses, sex crimes, theft offenses, violent crimes, drunk driving, and other matters before state and federal courts. We are ready to put decades of experience behind your case and fight to get the best possible result for your criminal case.
Your choice of attorney matters, which is why our St. Paul defense attorneys should be your first call. Do not give the prosecution a jump start on building a case against you. Contact our law office in St. Paul, Minnesota, now to speak with a member of our team.
What types of cases do criminal defense lawyers handle?
Drug Crimes
Whether you are charged with possession, sales, distribution, trafficking, or manufacturing drugs in St. Paul, a conviction can change the course of your life forever. It is possible to beat drug charges—especially if your Constitutional rights were violated during an arrest or search and seizure.
Our St. Paul drug crime lawyers will carefully scrutinize your interactions with the police, determine if evidence was obtained or used illegally, and identify any other potential issues that can be used to your advantage. If we can get evidence discarded or undermine its legitimacy, the state may have no option but to drop the charges or offer a favorable plea deal.
Sex Crimes
Sex crimes—including sexual assault, molestation, rape, and indecent exposure—carry harsh penalties that last long beyond a prison sentence. Your reputation could be ruined, and to add insult to injury, you may be required to register as a sex offender if you are convicted of a serious sex offense. Other collateral consequences can devastate your career, impact family law matters, and prevent you from living a normal life.
To stop this from happening, put your best foot forward with your defense. Our St. Paul sex crime lawyers will carefully review evidence related to your case, work to discredit or disprove allegations or witness reports, and undermine the state’s case against you at every turn.
White-Collar Crimes
White-collar crimes are typically victimless crimes in the sense that no one suffers a physical injury. However, since fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, and other white-collar offenses can cause significant financial damage, the government has been aggressive in prosecuting these types of crimes.
These tend to be complicated matters and difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. This allows our St. Paul white-collar-crime lawyers to find weaknesses in the government’s case.
Theft Crimes
Theft crimes—including burglary, robbery, petty theft, and shoplifting—can escalate quickly, especially when the value of allegedly stolen property exceeds $1,000. With a conviction, you could face lengthy terms of imprisonment, expensive fines, and long terms of probation.
Your trustworthiness and reputation can be destroyed, which would wreak havoc on your personal and professional lives. Our St. Paul theft crime lawyers will carefully analyze the state’s evidence and develop a strategy to disprove the allegations or cast doubt on your involvement in the theft.
Domestic Violence
A simple allegation of domestic violence can flip your world on its head, so it is important to be proactive and fight back. Our St. Paul domestic violence lawyers will not only work to beat the criminal charges filed against you but also remove protective orders and clear your name of any wrongdoing.
Federal Crimes
Some crimes, including many drug offenses and white-collar crimes, may land you in federal court, rather than state court. The federal criminal justice system operates a bit differently than Minnesota’s, and you will need an attorney who is familiar with the process. Our St. Paul federal crimes lawyers are licensed to handle criminal matters no matter where your criminal case takes you.
Violent Crimes
Violent crimes like assault, battery, manslaughter, murder, and weapons offenses carry some of the harshest penalties under the Minnesota criminal justice system. They are also the ones most likely to fall into the public eye. Our St. Paul violent crimes lawyers have the experience you need to take on these high-stakes, challenging cases and fight to get a favorable plea bargain, a dismissal, or a not guilty verdict at trial.
If you have already been convicted of a crime in St. Paul, our criminal defense attorneys can help you file an appeal or expunge your record. Milavetz Law, P.A., offers full-service criminal defense representation, and we are ready to help you no matter where in the criminal justice system your case currently stands.
Criminal Charges and Penalties in Minnesota
In Minnesota, criminal charges fall into one of four categories:
- Petty misdemeanor
- Misdemeanor
- Gross misdemeanor
- Felony
The type of charge you face will directly influence the penalties that can be imposed.
Maximum Penalties for Criminal Offenses in St. Paul
Petty misdemeanors aren’t technically crimes. They are typically traffic violations. The maximum penalty for a petty misdemeanor in Minnesota is a $300 fine.
Misdemeanors are punishable by up to 90 days in jail and $1,000 in fines.
Gross misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail and $3,000 in fines.
Felonies are the most serious criminal charges in Minnesota. Penalties can vary, depending on the crime and circumstances, but a conviction typically results in a prison sentence that lasts over a year and up to a defendant’s lifetime.
Criminal Defense FAQs
Do I need a lawyer if I am innocent?
Yes, prosecutors will still try to offer you a plea deal or win a guilty verdict at trial. Innocent people go to jail and take plea deals every day—and many of them could be avoided by investing in an experienced defense attorney. Your attorney will advocate for you at every turn to prove your innocence and keep your future clear.
Do the police have to have a warrant to arrest me or conduct a search?
Not always. Warrantless searches and arrests can be made as long as the police have probable cause and reasonable suspicion, respectively. However, these searches and arrests can be easier to invalidate down the line with no warrant to back them.
Should I cooperate with the police if I am arrested in St. Paul?
You should always be polite and respectful to police officers, but you are under no obligation to answer questions or cooperate with their investigation. The best rule of thumb is to remain silent and ask for an attorney. In the meantime, resist the urge to defend yourself or tell your side of the story. They are looking for information that will support their case against you, not reasons to let you go or drop the charges. Offering information or allowing the police to conduct a search when they lack probable cause can do more harm than good.
When should I hire a criminal defense attorney?
As soon as you can. The earlier an attorney gets involved, the more likely your rights will be protected. Your attorney will represent you and advocate for you at every turn, preventing the government from overstepping or pressuring you into accepting a deal or saying something that could hurt your case. It can even be beneficial to enlist the help of a lawyer if you have been interviewed or are a suspect in a criminal case.
Why should I call Milavetz Law, P.A., if I am facing criminal charges in St. Paul, Minnesota?
When you are charged with a crime, the government will be well represented by skilled prosecutors with a singular goal: getting a conviction. You are at a disadvantage from the start, which is why you should hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you. It is the best way to level the playing field, protect your reputation, and achieve the best result in your criminal case.
At Milavetz Law, P.A., we have built our careers fighting for clients who face injustice and uncertain futures and helping them achieve meaningful, life-changing results in the process.
We know that facing criminal charges can be terrifying, stressful, and overwhelming. Our goal is to help you beat criminal charges and protect your future as well as offer the genuine support and guidance you need during this difficult time.
Contact our award-winning St. Paul criminal defense attorneys to get started on your defense strategy today. Your first case evaluation is free, and our team is ready to jump into action to help you make the best of this difficult time.
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