FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES? CALL 24/7: 612-339-5844
Explore legal tips, client advice, and criminal defense insights from Ryan Pacyga Criminal Defense. Stay informed and empowered through every post.
A Minnesota police officer needs a reasonable cause to pull a motorist over. “Reasonable cause” is a broad term that basically refers to a prudent estimation based on facts and circumstances. For instance, if a police officer sees a vehicle drifting over the centerline, it constitutes “reasonable cause” to make a traffic stop. Some motorists […]
Traffic Stop in Minnesota? 3 Things to Avoid Read More »
If you are arrested and charged with DUI or another crime in Minnesota, it can have both an immediate and long-term effect on your life. This is especially true in certain circumstances, such as if you were operating a commercial vehicle when you got pulled over for suspected drunk driving or you’re a licensed professional,
A criminal conviction has far-reaching implications Read More »
There are several legal terms that people often use interchangeably when, in fact, they have separate meanings. For instance, reasonable suspicion and probable cause are terms that may both apply to a situation where a police officer thinks a crime has been committed. However, the two terms are slightly different in meaning. Understanding legal terminology
Reasonable Suspicion vs. Probable Cause: Key Differences Read More »
While many Minnesota residents likely think they know what a criminal trial involves due to scenes from movies or television, a lot more goes into these cases than typically shown in fictional settings. If you currently face criminal charges and a trial to address the accusations is imminent, you undoubtedly want to know the details
Criminal Trial Stages: A Complete Guide to the Process Read More »
It is not unusual for Minnesota residents and those elsewhere to not fully understand their legal rights. The law, especially criminal law, can have many specifics that the average person does not feel the need to explore until he or she faces a legal predicament. However, most people know that they have the right to
Miranda Rights: When Must Police Read Them? Read More »
Facing a criminal charge can be a detriment to one’s long-term interests, compromising future opportunities, reputation and personal freedom. If charged with a crime, it will be critical to defend yourself, starting by understanding more about what you are up against. The right defense strategy for your individual situation depends on the details of your case,
The difference between a misdemeanor and felony offense Read More »
When charged with a crime, Minnesota residents have three options. They can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. What is the difference between the three, and what should you do? To enter a guilty or no contest plea Entering a guilty plea means you are accepting the charges and choosing not to fight them.
No Contest Plea: What Does It Mean? (Guilty vs. Not Guilty) Read More »
The Minneapolis area has a wide variety of juvenile offenders. Teens and even younger children are involved in drug crimes, assaults, gun-related offenses and robberies — among various other crimes. If they were adults, these offenses would land them behind bars for quite some time if convicted. One county in the area is trying a different approach to how juvenile
Youth Diversion Program in Ramsey County: Good or Bad? Read More »
Minnesota has conditions that come with obtaining a driver’s license and operating a vehicle in the state. One of them is that people will abide by implied consent laws. This means they agree to participate in sobriety testing if they are pulled over for suspected impairment or in an accident, in which authorities believe intoxication
What implied consent laws mean for you Read More »
In a criminal case, sometimes motions are filed. When a motion is filed, a judge has one of two options to tell the lawyers what to do after we argue it. Once a lawyer files a motion, for example, let’s say it’s to try to get the case thrown out for an illegal traffic