If I’m Charged with Domestic Assault in Minnesota and I’m Guilty, Can a Lawyer Help?
Domestic assault charges can be some of the most gut wrenching to face in Minnesota because they are frequently also the most personal. That being said, what happens if you have been charged and you actually did it? What do you do now? Some think it is pointless to hire an attorney. After all, if you did it, the only real option is admit it, to the police, the prosecutor and the Judge. Right? You might hear this from relatives, friends and others. However, many of these people may have never seen the inside of a courtroom or of a jail cell. They have never seen how the criminal justice system works.
After decades in the system on both sides of the aisle as both prosecutor and defense attorney, I can say unequivocally, simply admitting and pleading guilty immediately is frequently the worst thing that you can do. Of course, even if you are guilty, is simply going to jail, to prison, the best thing for you, for your family? Remember, the State has the burden to prove you committed any crime and they can’t compel you to admit anything. If you are charged with domestic assault in MN, even if you did it, sit down with a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist and experienced Minnesota Domestic Assault attorney and learn consider your next steps.
“A domestic assault conviction can hurt you for so many reasons that you haven’t even considered. Simply admitting may actually make it much much worse.”
How Plea Agreements Work
When negotiating plea agreements, prosecutors regularly assess their cases based upon the likelihood of a conviction. In other words, if their case is really strong and easy to prove, they have no reason to negotiate a positive outcome. They will seek a tougher sentence because they can. This may be the case with domestic assault cases. If they don’t have all of the evidence, they are frequently more willing to consider alternatives and lesser charges and sentences. Based upon this, what do you think will happen if you go to the police and prosecutor and “I did it.” That’s the problem. “Honesty is the best policy” may be the worst thing you do.
Hiring a lawyer may be the most important decision you can make, especially if you did it. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help guide you in so many ways. They can assess the quality of the State’s case. At the same time, even if you did it, they may have the ability to negotiate from a position of strength with the prosecution to seek a far more favorable outcome than if you walked into the courtroom and admitted.
What Happens if the State Can’t Prove their Case?
Remember, while the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed any crime. Even more, they have to do everything right as part of the investigation. In fact, if they fail to do this, an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney may be able to suppress evidence which means that the State may have to dismiss or it may severely weaken the State’s ability to prosecute. This is all true regardless of whether you did it or not. At the same time, even if it is not a question of dismissal, it is the long term impact that certain convictions can have on your life that must be considered. As you can see, this is a perfect example of why you want an experienced Minnesota criminal defense lawyer by your side even if you are guilty of the crime.
“Domestic assaults are enhanceable and can impact you job, your family, your housing, your future. You need to know what is coming.”
If you are facing serious domestic assault charged in Minnesota, consulting with an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney may be the best decision you’ll ever make. This may be even more true if you did the thing the police and prosecutor claim you did. You can learn about your rights, the burden the State must meet, consider the impact upon your life and family and then consider the next steps. What also helps is to have an experienced criminal defense attorney buy your side who has been here before and knows exactly what may be coming at you.
Jack Rice is the Founder of Jack Rice Defense, a boutique criminal defense firm based in St. Paul, MN. He is also a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist, a former prosecutor, and former CIA Officer. for more on what to do what domestic assault charges, contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation or call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339.