Should I talk to the police: Why you should always slow down before talking to police. You are at work, with your family, or just going about your day when your phone rings. “Hi, this is Detective _____. I’d like to set up a time to talk with you. You ...

If you or someone you love is facing a federal criminal charge, you are probably hearing unfamiliar terms at the worst possible time. One of those might be a “reverse proffer.” It sounds technical and confusing, but in many federal cases it can be one of the most useful tools ...

If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges, there is one simple question that can quietly change the entire trajectory of the case - Going to the scene with your lawyer! Most people never think to ask their lawyer this. Many lawyers never offer it. But in serious ...

Misprision of a felony is a rare charge. When federal agents show up or you learn you’re under investigation, it feels like the ground just opened beneath your feet. You start hearing words you’ve never heard before—conspiracy, wire fraud, obstruction—and it all sounds like a one‑way ticket to federal prison, ...

  When everyone thinks they already know your story, it can feel like you don’t exist. If you or someone you love has been accused of a crime, you may already be living this. The arrest hits the news. The charging document is public. Co‑workers whisper. Family members pull away. ...

When criminal charges hit the news, your life changes in an instant - how to deal with the media in court cases. It’s not just the case anymore. It’s your name, your job, your kids’ school, your neighbors, your reputation. One minute you’re walking into court trying to hold it ...

You’re driving home. Lights flash behind you. An officer walks up, leans in, and says the words that make your heart drop: “Mind if I take a look in your car?” In that moment, what you say and do can shape everything that comes next - for you, or for ...

You’re standing where Jeffrey once stood (name changed to protect our client’s privacy): facing a DWI charge, worried that a test result over .08 means your life is basically over. It doesn’t. This is the story of how a Dakota County jury cleared a man whose urine test came back ...

If you or someone you love has just been stopped at a big-box store, walked to a back room, and handed a citation or told you’re being charged with theft, it can feel like your entire future is suddenly on the line. You might be replaying the moment over and ...

    When someone you love is facing a serious criminal charge, you see the court dates. You hear about hearings. You might even sit in the courtroom and watch your lawyer and the prosecutor talk to the judge for a few minutes. What you don’t see is often what ...

Alex* spent nearly two years listening for footsteps in the hallway, wondering if this was the moment everything would come crashing down. He hadn’t been charged with a crime. But a criminal sexual conduct investigation hung over his head, triggered by accusations from his ex-wife in the middle of a ...

When life takes an unexpected and bewildering turn, finding the right support can make all the difference. For Justin and Katy, what began as a terrifying episode with unforeseen legal consequences became a journey of healing and hope—thanks to the guidance, professionalism, and empathy of Marie Pacyga and her team. ...

If you or a loved one are facing a tough legal situation—whether it’s a criminal case, personal injury, or any other type of litigation—sometimes it feels like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. I know, because every week, I see what my clients go through, and ...

When people think about criminal charges, most imagine only the person who directly commits a crime facing legal consequences. However, Minnesota law, and the laws in many other states, also hold others responsible if they play a role in helping bring about that crime. This is called “aiding and abetting,” ...

When people think of federal court, they often imagine the worst-case scenario — long prison sentences, harsh guidelines, and little room for mercy. And to be fair, that reputation isn’t far off. Federal sentencing guidelines are notoriously tough, with mandatory minimums that can run 10, 15, 20 years — or ...

When people hear “criminal sexual conduct,” most think guilt first and facts later. That snap judgment makes these cases some of the hardest in criminal defense. It is also exactly why we do them. Below is a candid look at why many lawyers steer clear of these cases, and how ...

•Names have been changed to protect privacy. When the phone call came, Pat* was on a trip out East with his son. A police officer had stopped by his home and left a message to call back. Soon after, he was served. A no-contact order. A criminal complaint - Criminal ...

“My advice? Find someone who has the life you want and stop talking—start listening.” Ian remembers the exact date his old life ended: September 29, 2023. Married with three young kids, the CEO of a successful company, a volunteer firefighter, and a church council member—he had perfected the art of ...

When news breaks about major fraud cases, people often see headlines about indictments, guilty pleas, trials or investigations — but few understand the critical legal distinctions behind those terms. Recently, Ryan Pacyga Criminal Defense represented a client who was charged in federal court for fraud connected to both the Minnesota ...

When you are facing criminal charges, you want the strongest defense possible. At Ryan Pacyga Criminal Defense, clients do not just get one attorney. They get two criminal defense attorneys. Ryan and Marie Pacyga bring their combined strengths and perspectives to every case, giving clients an edge that most law ...

Understanding a Felony case in Minnesota Regarding a felony case in Minnesota, Minnesota law divides offenses into three main levels: Misdemeanors – Up to 90 days in jail Gross Misdemeanors – Up to 1 year in jail Felonies – A year and a day up to life in prison Felonies ...

Facing a First Felony in Minnesota Being charged with a felony for the first time can feel overwhelming. The process is different from misdemeanors and carries much higher stakes, including the possibility of significant jail time and long-lasting consequences on your record. Here’s what you can expect if you’re facing ...

Carrie* remembers the exact sound of the recording. “You have a call from the county jail…” In the beat before her son’s voice came through, a thousand fears crowded in—car wrecks, a fight, the kinds of emergencies parents brace for but hope never arrive. What followed was worse than anything ...

When Hank, a Marine Corps veteran, found himself charged with crimes that could have sent him to prison for decades, his world collapsed. Struggling with PTSD, Hank had an episode that left him facing two counts of attempted murder and firing a weapon into a crowd. He spent a year ...