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I Am Here To Represent You In Criminal Defense Matters

If you have been charged with a crime, you may find the criminal court process to be stressful and intimidating. If you are convicted, you will lose some of your rights. Whether you have received a citation for a misdemeanor traffic violation or have been arrested and charged with a more serious crime, you should discuss your situation with an experienced criminal defense attorney. At Loftness Law Office, P.A., in Shakopee, Minnesota, I am here to answer your questions, protect your rights, and help you reduce or eliminate the potential penalties you are facing.

My Practice Areas

For over 25 years, I’ve litigated and negotiated with Minnesota prosecutors, and I will use that experience to protect your future after you have been charged with a crime involving:

  • DUI/DWI
  • Traffic offenses and driver’s license revocation
  • Careless or reckless driving
  • Juvenile offenses and juvenile delinquency
  • Drug charges
  • Assault and Domestic Assault
  • Burglary, Theft, and related offenses

No matter what challenges you are facing, I will be by your side fighting to protect your rights and your future.

What Happens After You Get Arrested In Minnesota?

After you have been arrested and/or charged with an offense, you should be aware of the court process that is involved. With most criminal court proceedings, you will have at least two or three court appearances:

  • First Appearance or Arraignment: This is the initial hearing at which you will formally enter a plea, and your bail and other release conditions may be addressed, if not determined previously.
  • Pretrial Conference or Omnibus Hearing: During this stage, we can either negotiate a plea agreement or, if an agreement cannot be reached, we will schedule a trial. We may also want to file a motion before the trial.
  • Jury Trial or Court Trial: Litigating your case will only be necessary if an agreement cannot be reached during one of the preliminary hearings. I will thoroughly prepare the best defense possible, during which I will advocate for you and protect your rights.

Going through the criminal justice system can be intimidating. Having an experienced attorney there to advise and represent you can help.

The Potential Penalties For Criminal Offenses

The potential penalties you could face depend on the offenses that are charged and, more importantly, the offenses to which you are found to be guilty. For example:

  • Misdemeanor offenses: Misdemeanors carry the potential for up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
  • Gross misdemeanor offenses: Gross misdemeanors may result in a jail sentence of up to one year and a $3,000 fine.
  • Felony offenses: A felony conviction may result in incarceration for over a year in prison, and a substantial fine. It will also affect some of your other rights, such as your right to vote, your right to hold public office, and your right to own, possess, or sell firearms.

The more severe the crime, the more severe the potential penalties and, in turn, the greater the need for an attorney to represent you.

Contact A Shakopee Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

From DWI to assault charges, you may be able to have your charges reduced and/or your consequences minimized. Contact me online today, or call 952-641-7485 for an initial consultation.