An arrest is not a conviction. Technically speaking, a person who has been arrested has been taken into police custody on a temporary basis. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nonetheless, a person may be required to post bail to secure their release while they await a criminal trial. As explained in a guide…
Many family law disputes are complicated. In certain circumstances, an expert witness may need to be brought in to help bring clarity to a specialized matter. Minnesota has strict rules and procedures regarding the use of expert witnesses. In this article, our Mankato family lawyers highlight the most important things you should know about expert witness testimony in family court…
Drunk driving has long been a serious public safety issue in the United States. Drugged driving is a less appreciated, but no less severe problem. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that 12.6 million Americans admitted to driving while under the influence of illicit drugs in 2018 alone. Highway safety experts believe the true figure is likely far…
A married man is presumed to be the father of his wife’s child. No paperwork is required. However, unmarried couples face some additional challenges. They do have to take action to establish paternity in Minnesota. That is not to say that doing so is always complicated: Through the Minnesota Voluntary Recognition of Parentage form, an unmarried couple can establish a…
Local Mankato, MN law firm successfully defends against a first degree murder charge in Worthington, MN in February 2020. The story was picked up by Dateline NBC and will be featured on Dec 4, at 8:00pm. Dateline NBC will air a 2-hour episode detailing the 2015 murder...
Under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.” In other words, it is illegal for the police to conduct a search (or seizure) of your person/property without probable cause or a valid judicial warrant. Over…
It is never easy to separate from a spouse. During the course of a marriage, so much of your life becomes intertwined. Leaving aside all of the emotional challenges, there are a number of different logistical issues that must be addressed and resolved. As an example, you may have questions about what you need to do with your estate plan…
Are you a parent involved in a custody or visitation case in Minnesota? If so, you may have questions about your legal rights. One of the most common questions that parents have for their family law attorney is: Does a child get to pick which parent they live with after a divorce? In Minnesota, the answer is technically “no”—but an…
Whether the result of a mistake, a miscommunication, or an accident, you could find out that you have an active bench warrant out. As described by the Cornell Legal Information Institute, a bench warrant is a written order from a judge authorizing an arrest. In most cases, bench warrants are issued because a defendant missed a court date or failed…
Most divorcing couples want to end their marriage as amicably and efficiently as possible. While divorce is never easy, it does not have to turn into a nasty dispute or a fierce battle. Under Minnesota Law, a married couple has the option to seek an uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce is one in which the parties to the case have…