Important DWI Case Issued in 2013 by United States Supreme Court: Missouri v. McNeely
A very important case was decided that may affect all DWI cases in Minnesota. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that, at least in some situations, police officers cannot compel a person to provide a test to determine your alcohol level without first obtaining your valid consent or a search warrant. Although the case applied to a nonconsensual blood draw, we believe there are strong arguments that the same legal analysis also applies to urine and breath testing. In addition, even if you "consented" to a test, that consent might not be valid because the State threatens drivers with increased criminal and driver's license penalties. Dave Risk and Marsh Halberg from our office were interviewed regarding this important DWI topic.
Criminal Sexual Assault Case Dismissed
Marsh Halberg and Christina Zauhar successfully defended a homeless man in 2014 accused of first degree criminal sexual conduct in Hennepin County. The case was very challenging as it involved cultural and language issues in addition to very serious felony allegations. By bringing a "Florence motion" , the defense was able to illustrate the serious weaknesses in the charges and the State dismissed the charges.
Criminal Sexual Conduct Case /Not Guilty
A Martin County man was accused of criminal sexual conduct by his teenage stepdaughter. By showing many inconsistencies in the girls story and putting our client's good character (no criminal record ) in front of the jury Mr. Halberg won a rapid not guilty verdict for his client.
Recent 2013 cases include:
Felony Controlled Substance and Felony Theft --- Dakota County --- both charges dismissed.
Felony Second Degree Assault --- Isanti County --- case dismissed.
Felony Second Degree Manslaughter --- Anoka County --- downward dispositional departure from state prison to local jail time with work release
Gross Misdemeanor Operating Boat While Intoxicated/Forfeiture of Boat ---- Hennepin County --- jury trial win/acquittal, boat returned to client
Felony Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct --- Anoka County --- reduction to gross misdemeanor and no executed jail time
Federal Probation Violation
Sometimes we are retained AFTER a client has already been sentenced. In this 2014 case our client discharged his current attorney and hired Marsh Halberg as it seemed inevitable he would go to prison for not completing his court ordered treatment. By quickly moving to meet with the probation officer, talking with the Assistant U.S. attorney and arguing to the court for a more lenient punishment, our client avoided prison and only did a small amount of local jail time with work release.
Christina Zauhar: Two Dismissals in Two Weeks
Within a two-week period, attorney Christina Zauhar successfully negotiated dismissal of pending criminal charges against two of her clients. One was charged with Criminal Destruction of Property in Hennepin County, and the other was charged with Inattentive Driving in Ramsey County. Both clients are very grateful to no longer be facing potential criminal convictions.
Our office defended the mayor of Jordan in a highly publicized case alleging the mayor was guilty of disorderly conduct. Marsh Halberg negotiated a very favorable result which will resulted in the case being dismissed in one year without a conviction.The legal mechanism for this case is called a "continuance for dismissal". Under this negotiation there was no admission of fault and there was no conviction.
Work in the Community
We pride ourselves on being good "corporate citizens" by volunteering in our communities.
Marsh Halberg was recently on the host committee for the annual benefit for the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
The fundraiser was well attended with Former Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Wheelock Whitney Jr. helping to make the night a big success!
Marsh Halberg with former Governor Arne Carlson and retired Judge/former House Minority Leader Terry Dempsey.
Hennepin County Domestic Assault Charges Dismissed
Christina Zauhar's client was charged with five separate charges involving domestic assault, disorderly conduct, and gross misdemeanor alcohol-related driving violations. The client was facing serious consequences to his freedom, employment, future ability to carry a firearm, and forfeiture of his vehicle. Through vigorous negotiation and arguing weaknesses in the case, all charges were dismissed against the client except for one driving charge. As a result, there was no forfeiture of the vehicle, no restriction on the use of a firearm, no fine, and no jail time.
Death Case- No Charges Issued
Not infrequently, people contact our firm after a tragic event has occurred and the police are involved but BEFORE criminal charges issue. In those cases we are retained on a "precharge basis" to try to prevent criminal charges from issuing. In a tragic Chaska case, a young man was being investigated for the fatal shooting of his close friend with a bow and arrow. Marsh Halberg was retained by the young man's family. Mr. Halberg quickly obtained all relevant information about details of the death. By persuasively presenting that information to the authorities, manslaughter charges did not issue.
Source Code Litigation
Marsh Halberg and and other Halberg Criminal Defense attorneys served as trial counsel for what is believed to be the largest criminal case in Minnesota court history with over 4,400 defendants. The two HCD attorneys were members of the five-attorney trial team who collectively represented the interests of over 250 criminal defense attorneys in pursuing the source code litigation. The two-week hearing concluded at the end of December. Judge Jerome Abrams presided over the matter and issued an Order in March regarding the admissibility of source code test results in both criminal DWI and implied consent cases. That Order has been appealed on an expedited basis to the Minnesota Supreme Court. Our office together with the other three trial team attorneys has filed an appellate reply brief in October 2011 and is awaiting notice of oral arguments being scheduled before the court. As such,the breath test issue in Minnesota is still a very viable defense for us to discuss with you.
On A Lighter Note
Halberg Defense recently attended the Rocky Horror Picture Show theatrical performance starring Don Shelby. Mr. Shelby had some good natured teasing of lawyers but referred to us as "one of the best criminal defense law firms in the country". Thanks Don of your kind words.
