Minnesota Criminal Defense Blog

KEYSER LAW BLOG

Felony vs. Misdemeanor Charges: How Minnesota Handles Each

JULY 18 2019

When facing criminal charges, one of the first and most important questions from a defense perspective is whether you’re being charged with a felony or a misdemeanor.

Why so important?

Because here in Minnesota, felony-level convictions are far more likely to carry a jail sentence, and a felony on your rap sheet has much longer-lasting consequences.

In this post, we provide a brief of common criminal offenses, how they are typically charged, and the consequences generally associated

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Minnesota’s Sex Trafficking Problem and Charges: What You Should Know

JULY 14 2019

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Sex Crimes | Sex Trafficking

The words “sex trafficking” conjure up images of professional criminal enterprises run by organized crime, gangsters and other hardened criminals. However, this isn’t always the case.

In fact, many seemingly ordinary people are charged with sex trafficking. For example, a St. Cloud couple was recently charged with sex trafficking and promotion of prostitution.

The couple ran a massage parlor, which was reported to the Central Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force for suspected sex trafficking. Detectives found the

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How Minnesotans Can Celebrate the 4th – Without Getting a DWI

JULY 3 2019

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: DWI/DUI

Independence Day celebrations are a big deal in Minnesota. Parties, barbeques, pools, fireworks – and drinking – are all part of the fun.

However, one thing you definitely don’t want highlighting your Fourth of July is a starring role in a DWI. Driving drunk puts everyone on the road at an enormous risk. It can also ruin your driving record and cost you thousands of dollars.

If you’ll be out partying this Fourth of July, pay

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Facing False Allegations of MN Domestic Violence? You’re Not Alone

JULY 10 2019

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Domestic Assault | Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a significant problem in Minnesota and other states. However, the way the system handles domestic violence has created a new problem: false allegations.

If you’re facing false allegations of domestic violence, you’re not alone. These allegations are often made to gain legal leverage, but can have devastating legal and civil consequences for the falsely accused.

Therefore, we’ve put together a guide covering why false allegations happen, the fallout you could face if accused, and what

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Minnesota’s Drug-Free Zone Laws Designed to be Unfair

JUNE 20 2019

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Drug Crimes | Drug-Free Zones

Drug-free zone laws were implemented at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic as a part of the “War on Drugs.” These laws enhanced penalties for drug crimes committed in areas frequented by children with the hope of keeping drug dealers from selling to kids, and to keep drug-related violence away from them.

Sounds like a good idea, right?

In theory, perhaps. However, in practice, drug-free zone laws impose unreasonably harsh penalties that disproportionately affect low-income areas

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Your Guide to Minnesota Auto Theft Laws

JUNE 14 2019

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Auto Theft

The reasons theft crimes are committed run the gamut. You may not have the things you need or want. Perhaps you don’t have the means to legally earn them nearly as quickly as taking them, and sometimes, stealing things that aren’t yours can seem like the only way out.

The problem is, theft can – and more often than not, it does – catch up with you.

When it does, it isn’t pretty.

All theft crimes are

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The Real Costs of Living with a Criminal Record in Minnesota

JUNE 5 2019

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Criminal Defense | Expungement / Criminal Record Sealing

You committed a crime. You did the time for it. It is also highly likely that you paid a heap in fines, rehabilitation, restitution, or any combination of them depending on your conviction.

What you probably never even thought about were the ongoing negative impacts and costs of having that criminal record. Things which are affecting your ability to reintegrate successfully into Minnesota society.

These are real costs to you and your loved ones, and those costs have

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