What to look for when hiring a criminal defense attorney for your Morrison County charges

When you are charged with a crime, the courthouse you must go to is based on the county you were charged in. Walking into a bustling Hennepin County courthouse in downtown Minneapolis can be very different than a courthouse in a more rural part of the state. The judges, the prosecutors, and atmosphere impact the case. This blog article will look at considerations for Morrison County.

Morrison County criminal justice and the impact of Camp Ripley

Morrison County is a relatively small county. Its county seat is Little Falls, MN. It’s not a far drive from Minneapolis and Saint Paul, but it’s outside of the metro area. One of the most distinctive features of Morrison County that distinguishes it from the other counties around it is the presence of Camp Ripley (also called Fort Ripley). When off duty soldiers get in trouble with the law, whether it’s getting a DWI or getting into a barroom scuffle, the case is held in Morrison County if that is where the offense occurred. The symbiotic relationship between law enforcement and the military causes there to be some potential special issues to look at in criminal case. I observed this in a case I had where the defendant was Mirandized and interviewed in an interview room, with his superior officer also in the room. This is something that is very peculiar. There were no violations of the defendant’s rights in that case, but making special exceptions for the military has the potential to create issues in criminal cases.

Look for a criminal defense attorney who has had success in Morrison County

You gain an advantage if you hire a lawyer who has already had success in the county you are charged in. Peter Lindstrom, the founder of Subzero Criminal Defense, has successfully litigated a 5th degree assault charge down to a disorderly conduct in Morrison County. The client knew that a 5th degree assault conviction would have been bad for his military career, but a disorderly conduct was able to avoid those negative ramifications. A lawyer who has successfully worked with a prosecutor and a judge in the county already has inroads for success in the future.

Proceed with caution over thinking an attorney who offices near the courthouse is the best to defend you

When hiring an attorney it may be tempting to want to hire the attorney who offices closes to the courthouse or who practices the most in that particular courthouse. They have the most experience in that courthouse, so they must be the best choice, right? The problem is that attorneys who work almost exclusively in one county can become overly familiar with prosecutors and judges. If your case involves evidence that should be challenged, an attorney who practices there too frequently may be overly concerned about not ruffling feathers. Not wanting to upset the apple cart may become more important to them than fiercely advocating your case. Hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney who has experience across the state may be a better option because they are used to going into courthouses across the state and challenging the State’s evidence. And do not feel beholden to pacify prosecutors and judges because their duty as a criminal defense attorney brings them to challenge the State’s evidence in cases across the state.

Conclusion

If you are charged with a crime in Morrison County, you want a skilled criminal defense attorney who is knowledgeable and will advocate on your behalf. Contact Subzero Criminal Defense for a free consultation. 651-248-5142