MN CRIMINAL LAW CASE VICTORIES
The following is a selection of Minnesota criminal law case victories and notable cases, including successful case results in Minnesota criminal defense cases, firearms law, expungements, and pardons.
Please note, past case victories do not predict or guarantee future same or similar case results. Case outcomes are based on many factors that are unique to each case.
CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Second-Degree Assault Charge Dismissed; Stay of Imposition on Lesser Charge
- Dakota County District Court (First Judicial District)
- State v. J.M.
- Charge(s): Second-Degree Assault
- Case Result: Second-Degree Assault Charge Dismissed; Stay of Imposition on Amended, Lesser-Included Charge of Threats of Violence; No Jail; Minimum Fine
READ CASE SUMMARY
Client was charged with Second-Degree Assault for an alleged gun-pointing incident.
Second-Degree Assault is a very serious felony crime in Minnesota, and carries a mandatory 36-month prison commitment term.
Because of the seriousness of the charged offense and its mandatory prison term, it was one of the main goals in the case to get that charge dismissed either via a plea negotiaon or via acquittal at trial.
After a throguohy review of all the evidnece in the case, including body-cam footage and other recordings, Mr. Wilson discovered inconsistencies and weaknesses in the State’s case, in addition to a possible self-defense claim.
After multiple hearings and discussions with the State, Mr. Wilson was able to negotiate a favorable case outcome including the dimissal of the Second-Degree Assault charge. The client pleaded to a lesser-included offense of .
The client served no jail time, only a minimum fine was imposted, and the client’s felony offense will be reduced to a misdemeanor upon the successful completion of their sentence.
STAY OF IMPOSITION AND SIX COUNTS DISMISSED
- State v. A.G.
- Ramsey County Courthouse (Second Judicial District)
- Stay of Imposition on Gross Misdemeanor Criminal Vehicular Operation; Remaining Six Counts Dismissed
READ CASE SUMMARY
Client was charged with four counts of criminal vehicular operation and three counts of DWI.
After reviewing all of the evidence in the case, including squad and officer video, Mr. Wilson discussed the case with the prosecutor and negotiated a plea deal.
Mr. Wilson’s client ultimately pleaded guilty to only one count of criminal vehicular operation and the remaining six counts were dismissed.
The judge stayed imposition of the sentence and the client received no jail time.
If Mr. Wilson’s client successfully completes two years of probation, his case will be reduced to a misdemeanor.
FELONY ASSAULT CASE DISMISSED
- State v. N.Y.
- Goodhue County Courthouse (Fifth Judicial District)
- Case Dismissed
READ CASE SUMMARY
Client was charged with felony Second Degree Assault (Minn. Stat. Sec. 609.222) for allegedly brandishing a firearm.
This charge is very serious and has a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and up to a $20,000.00 fine (or both.)
After a thorough review of all the evidence in this case, Mr. Wilson filed a motion to suppress evidence based on a violation of his client’s Fifth-Amendment rights and a contested hearing was scheduled.
At the contested hearing, the County Attorney voluntarily made a motion to dismiss the case.
The court accordingly dismissed the case.
In addition, the client’s seized firearm was returned to them based on the dismissed charge.
FELONY THEFT CHARGE DIVERSION
- State v. L.S.
- Hennepin County Courthouse (Fourth Judicial District)
- Felony Theft Charge Continued for Dismissal (Diversion)
READ CASE SUMMARY
Client was charged with felony theft. After demand and review of the evidence in the case, Mr. Wilson negotiated with the prosecutor in the case for a diversion program for his client.
With the diversion program, the client avoids both pleading guilty to a crime and a criminal conviction.
The case will be dismissed upon successful completion of the diversion program.
The case will also be eligible for presumptive statutory expungement one year from the discharge date.
FELONY THEFT CHARGE DISMISSED
- State v. J.J.
- Anoka County Courthouse (Tenth Judicial District)
- Case Dismissed
READ CASE SUMMARY
Client was charged with multiple counts of felony theft. Upon review of the evidence and negotiating with the prosecutor in the case, the case was ultimately dismissed by the prosecutor.
EXPUNGEMENTS
EXPUNGEMENT GRANTED | OLMSTED COUNTY
- State v. P.W.
- Location: Olmsted County District Court (Third Judicial District)
- Expungement Granted for Following Offenses: (1) First-Degree CSC (Felony; Juvenile Adjudication)
EXPUNGEMENT GRANTED | MCLEOD COUNTY
- State v. B.S.
- Location: McLeod County District Court (First Judicial District)
- Expungement Granted for Following Offenses: (1) Felony Threats of Violence (Juvenile Adjudication)
EXPUNGEMENT GRANTED | RENVILLE COUNTY
- State v. B.S.
- Location: Renville County District Court (Eighth Judicial District)
- Expungement Granted for Following Offenses: (1) Threats of Violence (Felony; Juvenile Adjudication)
EXPUNGEMENT GRANTED | MARTIN COUNTY
- State v. S.Y.
- Location: Martin District Court - (Fifth Judicial District)
- Expungement Granted for Following Offenses: (1) Felony Failure to Register as Predatory Offender
EXPUNGEMENT GRANTED | MURRAY COUNTY
- State v. D.C.
- Location: Murray District Court (Fifth Judicial District)
- Expungement Granted for Following Offenses: (1) Fourth-Degree CSC; (2) Fifth-Degree CSC
EXPUNGEMENT GRANTED | MCLEOD COUNTY
- State v. T.H.
- Location: McLeod County District Court (First Judicial District)
- Expungement Granted for Following Offenses: (1) Domestic Assault
PARDONS
PARDON GRANTED
- State v. K.W.
- Pardoned Offenses: (1) Felony Third-Degree Burglary; (2) Aid/Abet Felony Third-Degree Burglary
- Pardon Granted; Conviction Set Aside; and Records Expunged. Note, The Minnesota Clemency Review Commission (CRC) had previously heard the client's case and unanimously recommended that the Minnesota Board of Pardons grant the client's pardon at its December 20, 2024 pardon meeting.
- Pardon Board: Governor Tim Walz; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison; Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie E. Hudson
PARDON GRANTED
- State v. M.M.
- Pardoned Offense: (1) Aid/Abet Felony Third-Degree Burglary
- Pardon Granted; Conviction Set Aside; and Records Expunged. Note, The Minnesota Clemency Review Commission (CRC) had previously heard the client's case and unanimously recommended that the Minnesota Board of Pardons grant the client's pardon at its December 20, 2024 pardon meeting.
- Pardon Board: Governor Tim Walz; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison; Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie E. Hudson
PARDON GRANTED
- State v. S.D.
- Pardoned Offenses: (1) Felony Theft; (2) Felony Second-Degree Burglary; (3) Felony Second-Degree Burglary; (4) Felony Second-Degree Burglary
- Pardon Granted; Conviction Set Aside; and Records Expunged. Note, The Minnesota Clemency Review Commission (CRC) had previously heard the client's case and unanimously recommended that the Minnesota Board of Pardons grant the client's pardon at its December 20, 2024 pardon meeting.
- Pardon Board: Governor Tim Walz; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison; Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie E. Hudson
PARDON EXTRAORDINARY GRANTED
- State v. J.R.
- Pardoned Offense: Motor Vehicle Theft (Felony)
- Pardon Extraordinary Granted and Conviction Set Aside
- Pardon Board: Governor Tim Walz; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison; Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea
PARDON EXTRAORDINARY GRANTED (Four Offenses)
- State v. S.B.
- Pardoned Offense(s): Motor Vehicle Theft; Interference with 911 Call; Worthless Check; Theft
- Pardon Extraordinary Granted and Convictions Set Aside
- Pardon Board: Governor Tim Walz; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison; Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea
PARDON EXTRAORDINARY GRANTED
- State v. C.J.
- Pardoned Offense: Third-Degree Burglary (Felony)
- Pardon Extraordinary Granted and Conviction Set Aside
- Pardon Board: Governor Tim Walz; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison; Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea
FIREARMS LAW
FIREARM RIGHTS RESTORED | ANOKA COUNTY
- Anoka County District Court (Tenth Judicial District)
- State v. J.C.
- Prohibitory Offense: Second-Degree CSC (Juvenile Adjudication)
- Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. 609.165, subd. 1d)
FIREARM RIGHTS RESTORED | RAMSEY COUNTY
- Ramsey County District Court (Second Judicial District)
- State v. C.O.
- Prohibitory Offense: Fifth-Degree Controlled Substance Crime (Juvenile Adjudication)
- Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. 609.165, subd. 1d)
FIREARM RIGHTS RESTORED | BENTON COUNTY
- Benton County District Court (Seventh Judicial District )
- State v. J.E.
- Prohibitory Offense: Second-Degree Burglary
- Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. 609.165, subd. 1d)
FIREARM RIGHTS RESTORED | OLMSTED COUNTY
- Olmsted County District Court (Third Judicial District)
- State v. P.W.
- Prohibitory Offense: First-Degree CSC (Juvenile Adjudication)
- Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. 609.165, subd. 1d)
FIREARM RIGHTS RESTORED | DAKOTA COUNTY
- Dakota County District Court (First Judicial District)
- State v. S.S.
- Prohibitory Offense: Fifth-Degree Controlled Substance Crime
- Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. 609.165, subd. 1d)
FIREARM RIGHTS RESTORED | OLMSTED COUNTY
- Olmsted County District Court (Third Judicial District)
- State v. P.W.
- Prohibitory Offense: First-Degree CSC (Juvenile Adjudication)
- Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. 609.165, subd. 1d)
FIREARM RIGHTS RESTORED | PINE COUNTY
- Pine County District Court (Tenth Judicial District)
- State v. S.D.
- Prohibitory Offense: Second-Degree Burglary; Theft (Firearm)
- Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. 609.165, subd. 1d)
FIREARM RIGHTS RESTORED | HENNEPIN COUNTY
- Hennepin County District Court (Fourth Judicial District)
- State v. T.H.
- Prohibitory Offense: Second-Degree Burglary (Juvenile Adjudication)
- Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. 609.165, subd. 1d)
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- Assault
- Domestic Assault
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- Burglary
- Property Crimes
- Gun Crimes
- Weapons Crimes
- Drug Crimes
- DWI
- Firearm Rights Restoration
- Carry Permit Denial
- Gun Crimes
- Hunting Crimes
- Adult Criminal Records Expungement
- Juvenile Records Expungement
- Statutory Expungement
- Judicial Records Expungement
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