Aggressive Defense Against Criminal Charges In Chisago County

A criminal charge is not just nerve-racking, it can also be life-changing. Many people do not know what to do when they are accused of a crime. Sometimes, a mistake can even turn what could have been an outright dismissal into a conviction. As such, it is critical to protect your rights and interests if you have been charged with a crime. If you believe that you are under investigation for a crime or have been charged with a crime, our criminal defense attorney at Johnson Brothers Law in Chisago City can help.

Customized Criminal Defense Representation

With decades of experience and thousands of criminal cases behind him, our criminal defense attorney, Jesse Johnson, also served as a part-time public defender for over 17 years. Our criminal defense attorney represents clients who have been accused of:

• Misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor charges
• Misdemeanor traffic offenses and drunk driving charges
• Drug offenses, including driving under the influence of drugs
• Serious felonies and violent criminal charges like assault, battery and manslaughter
• Juvenile crimes like underage drinking and underage drinking and driving
• Serious sexual offenses 
• Domestic and family violence crimes

Our criminal defense lawyer has handled countless cases to trial. He has contested charges pretrial to suppress evidence and has had charges dismissed. Throughout his years of practice, he has experienced a wide variety of criminal offenses, all with unique fact patterns. He provides custom-tailored defenses to fit his clients and the accusations and also takes into account the various personalities of prosecutors and judges.

Customized Criminal Defense Strategies

Our criminal defense lawyer will work with you directly to help protect your rights. As he obtains evidence possessed by the state, he will conduct additional investigations if required. He will do everything he can within the law to attack the prosecution’s case to reach a dismissal or mitigate consequences as best as possible. If he is not able to get a case dismissed or to obtain an offer that is acceptable to you, he is fully capable of trying your case to a judge or jury.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may have questions when facing criminal charges in Chisago County, Isanti County or Pine County. Below are a few common concerns:

What will happen to me after I am charged with a crime in Minnesota?

After the arrest, a hearing known as an arraignment will be set up, where you will be formally charged and you will have a chance to enter a plea. The court will then determine if they are going to place bail, so you will go through bail hearings, and you may also go through plea negotiations, where you can consider settling your case by agreement. This is very common.

If you do not take a plea deal to resolve your case, then your case proceeds to trial. Even at the conclusion of the trial, a sentencing hearing will be set up if you are convicted, so you will not learn your sentence immediately. It is critical to understand that the criminal court process is very complicated, and it does not move quickly.

How does a Minnesota court set bail?

Bail is used as a way to ensure that a defendant in a criminal case shows up for their trial without keeping them in prison while the case proceeds, since that can take a long time. 

To set the bail amount, the court will consider things like a person’s criminal history and the seriousness of the crime that they have been accused of committing. Bail can also be used in major cases, such as for very serious crimes, where the court believes the defendant may be a danger to the public.

Can my criminal charge be dismissed or reduced in Minnesota?

Yes, charges are often dismissed if there are issues such as procedural mistakes made by the police, a lack of evidence in the case or something of this nature. In some cases, such as with nonviolent drug crimes, offenders may be able to participate in a diversionary program to have the charges dismissed. 

Can my Minnesota criminal record ever be sealed?

Expungement is the process of sealing criminal records so that they do not show up on background checks, such as those carried out by employers. Felonies are often ineligible, but you may be eligible for relief if you have been convicted on relatively minor misdemeanor charges. 

You may also have your record expunged if you were never charged after being arrested, if you were found not guilty or if the charges were dismissed for some reason, such as the lack of evidence noted above.

Schedule A Free Consultation With Chisago City Criminal Defense Lawyer

One mistake in the early stages of a criminal investigation can have catastrophic consequences. If you believe you are being investigated or have been charged with a criminal offense, contact Johnson Brothers Law immediately for an initial consultation. To schedule your free appointment, you can call our office at 651-400-1392 or send us a message using our online form.