1. What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault charges in Minnesota are technically called "criminal sexual conduct" (Minn. Stat. 609.342-3451). Most sexual assault charges involve nonconsensual sexual contact or penetration. The nuances for your charges are many. There are five different degrees of sexual assault and over 59 different ways prosecutors can charge it out within the subdivisions (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th degree criminal sexual conduct). Because of the unique challenges of these cases, hiring a lawyer who is skilled in defending sexual assault charges, as opposed to being just a general criminal defense attorney, becomes important.
2. What's at Stake?
Everything. The maximum penalty for sexual assault in Minnesota is 30 years*. But the impact to your reputation, relationships, and career cannot be overstated.
*not including Minn. Stat. 609.3455 enhancements
3. What are you up against?
If you look at the caption of the case, it will says the “State of Minnesota v. [Your name]”. It’s not a fair fight. It's one person versus the government. The resources that the State has can be enormous. For example, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has a staff of 460 people and a budget of $65 million. What is your budget? I’m guessing not $65 million. Even if the agency charging you is much smaller than Hennepin County, you are still going against a prosecutor's office and police force that is staffed and funded to put people in prison. As an individual against the government, you are an underdog.
4. What's going for you?
Just because you are charged doesn't mean you're guilty. You can take your case to trial. You can challenge the State's evidence and bring forth your own evidence. Do not expect for it to be easy. But you don't need to take your charges sitting down.
Peter Lindstrom, Esq. has been trained at the nation's leading seminar on defending sex crimes in Las Vegas, NV. With the unique challenges that sexual assault charges bring, you don't want just any old criminal defense lawyer. A DWI lawyer isn't going to cut it. You want one who has specialized training from the nation's best on defending these particular charges.
Contact Subzero Criminal Defense and we can start working on your case as soon as today. (651-248-5142)
- Jan 2
- 2 min
- Nov 21, 2023
- 3 min
- Nov 9, 2023
- 3 min
- Nov 8, 2023
- 3 min
- Nov 7, 2023
- 3 min