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Charlie Rooney

Charlie Rooney

J.D. from University of St. Thomas, Magna Cum Laude

Former prosecutor for County Attorney’s Office

Clerked for the Chief Judge of Hennepin County

Eric Nelson

Eric Nelson

Attorney of the Year (Minnesota Lawyer 2022)

Named one of the TOP 40 UNDER 40 by the National Trial Lawyers' Association

"Rising Star" from 2004-2013

"Super Lawyer" 2014, 2015 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019

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Debbie Lang

Debbie Lang

Top 100 National Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers' Association

Co-Editor of the Minnesota DWI Deskbook

Super Lawyer (2020-present)

Super Lawyer Rising Star (2012, 2014-2017)

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Dave Risk

Dave Risk

Super Lawyer (2014-present)

Super Lawyer Rising Star (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008-2011)

J.D. William Mitchell College of Law magna cum laude graduate

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Christina Zauhar

Christina Zauhar

Up & Coming Attorney (Minnesota Lawyer 2017)

Super Lawyer Rising Star (2017-present)

Member of Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice (2021-present)

Member of Minnesota Women Lawyers (2012-present)

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Marsh Halberg

Marsh Halberg

Top Six Criminal Defense Attorneys (Mpls/St. Paul Magazine)

Attorney of the Year (Minnesota Lawyer 2011 & 2017)

Super Lawyer (1997-Present)

Co-Editor of the Minnesota DWI Deskbook

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Lucas Dawson

Lucas Dawson

Super Lawyer Rising Star (2017-present)

Human Services Background Study Eligibility Task Force - Remedies Subcommittee Chair 2022

Human Services Background Study Eligibility Task Force Member 2021 - 2022

Requested speaker at Minnesota CLEs

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Zach Graham

Zach Graham

J.D. St. Thomas School of Law, cum laude

Licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin

Achieved successful outcomes for clients in district court and on appeal

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Minnesota Federal Law Attorney

HomePractice AreasFederal Law

There is an old saying “don’t make a federal case out of it”. That phrase is defined as taking a small issue and turning it into a serious, complicated matter. There is a certain truth in this saying, as Federal criminal cases are many times treated far more seriously than a similar charge in state court. The federal process is more bureaucratic, more structured and offers less flexibility than case charges at the local level.

Most people do not realize that, if they are charged with a criminal offense, it is possible that it can be charged twice -both by both the State of Minnesota and the Federal Government. Having this “double prosecution” does not constitute double jeopardy.

Federal charges can involve significant or high profile cases involving hundreds, if not millions, of dollars in alleged wrongdoing, banking or mortgage fraud or similar large-scale matters that might involve interstate commerce.

The charging process in Federal court can start with a Grand Jury, which is a group of 16 to 23 citizens that are brought together to determine if there is enough evidence for charges to issue against someone. If the Grand Jury issues the indictment, criminal charges in Minnesota will be handled in one of the federal courthouses, such as: St. Paul, Minneapolis or Duluth.

Sentencing in Federal cases is governed by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which involve a mathematical calculation of a defendant’s prior criminal record and the points assigned for the severity of the new offense. A score is reached which determines a sentencing range. Until recently, those guidelines were mandatory for a judge to follow, but now judges are allowed some deviation for sentencing.

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