Over Two Decades Of Experience Defending The People Of St. Paul
Personalized Representation Against Violent Crime Charges
Facing charges for violent crimes in Minnesota can be daunting and life-altering. These charges can lead to severe penalties, impacting every aspect of your life. Understanding the breadth and implications of violent crime classifications is crucial. Instead of trying to earn the outcome you deserve against these charges on your own, let a skilled attorney fight for it.
At Lesch Law Firm, our lawyer will be dedicated to defending your rights and securing the best outcome possible for your case. John Lesch has extensive experience representing individuals against all forms of criminal charges. He knows what is at stake in these cases and how to develop personalized strategies to defend our clients.
What Constitutes A Violent Crime In Minnesota?
Minnesota Statute 624.712 defines what is considered a “crime of violence.” This statute includes a range of offenses, some of which are obvious, while others may surprise you.
Obvious violent crimes:
- Murder in any form
- Assault
- Robbery
- Kidnapping
- False imprisonment
- Residential burglary
- Arson
- Criminal sexual conduct
- Malicious punishment of a child
- Child neglect or endangerment
- Simple possession of a controlled substance
- Theft of a motor vehicle
No matter what type of charge you are facing, our attorney will take the time to learn about all the details surrounding your case, develop a personalized strategy to defend you and keep in constant contact with you throughout the defense process.
Consequences Of A Violent Crime Conviction
Depending on the nature of your charges, the consequences of a conviction can be more severe. A conviction for any of these offenses can have serious repercussions, including:
- Incarceration: You could face jail or prison time.
- Firearm possession: Your right to possess a firearm would be affected. Possessing a firearm after a conviction for a crime of violence can lead to an additional charge of ineligible person in possession of a firearm, which carries a mandatory sentence of 60 months in prison.
- Immigration issues: Violent crimes are classified as “crimes of moral turpitude” under U.S. immigration law, potentially leading to indefinite incarceration pending deportation, even without a conviction.
As your legal representation, our lawyer will explore all opportunities to minimize your charges, beat them in court, or seek a dismissal to defend your rights and freedom.
Experienced Defense For Violent Crime Charges
Our attorney has extensive experience and knowledge in handling cases involving violent crimes. At Lesch Law Firm, he has tried many such cases, providing the knowledge and aggressive representation needed to navigate these complex charges. If you are ever charged with a crime of violence, he is here to help.
Get A Seasoned Defense When You Need It
If you or a loved one is facing charges for a violent crime, it is critical to seek experienced legal representation immediately. A conviction can have long-lasting impacts on your life, but with the right defense, you can fight for a better outcome. To learn more about how our attorney at Lesch Law Firm can assist you and schedule a free consultation, contact us at (651) 302-7009 or reach out to us online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Violent Crime Charges in Minnesota
Violent crime charges can include a wide range of allegations, from misdemeanor assault cases to serious felony accusations involving weapons or significant bodily harm. Common violent crime charges in Minnesota include:
- Assault
- Domestic assault
- Robbery
- Terroristic threats
- Weapons offenses
- Homicide-related charges
- Strangulation allegations
- Disorderly conduct involving alleged violence
Some cases involve genuine misunderstandings, mutual confrontations, self-defense situations, or allegations that become exaggerated during emotionally charged incidents.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is believing they can “clear things up” by speaking to investigators without legal representation. By the time police contact someone regarding a violent crime allegation, they are often already building a criminal case.
Even casual conversations, text messages, social media activity, or attempts to contact the alleged victim can create additional problems. In many situations, the smartest decision is to remain respectful, avoid discussing the allegations, and speak with a defense lawyer before answering questions.
Yes. In Minnesota, a person can still face assault or violent crime charges even when there are no major physical injuries.
In some cases, prosecutors rely on:
- Alleged threats
- Fear or intimidation claims
- Minor visible injuries
- Witness statements
- 911 recordings
- Social media or text messages
The absence of serious injury does not automatically prevent charges from being filed.
Many people are surprised to learn that the alleged victim does not ultimately control whether criminal charges move forward. Once police and prosecutors become involved, the decision to continue the case belongs to the state.
Even if the alleged victim asks for the case to be dismissed or changes their story, prosecutors may still attempt to proceed using other evidence such as:
- Body camera footage
- Witness statements
- Recorded phone calls
- Medical records
- Prior statements
Yes. Violent crime allegations can have serious consequences beyond the courtroom. Employers, licensing boards, landlords, and schools may all conduct background checks that reveal pending charges or convictions.
Even before a case is resolved, individuals may face:
- Difficulty finding employment
- Suspension from professional positions
- Housing problems
- Restrictions involving firearms
- Damage to personal and professional relationships
This is one reason it is important to take these accusations seriously from the very beginning.
A no contact order is a court order that restricts communication between the accused person and another individual involved in the case. These orders are extremely common in domestic assault and violent crime cases.
Violating a no contact order can result in additional criminal charges, even if the other person initiated the contact or wanted communication to occur. Courts take alleged violations very seriously.
Some can. Every case depends on the quality of the evidence, witness credibility, police procedure, and the surrounding circumstances.
Defense strategies may involve:
- Self-defense claims
- Challenging witness credibility
- Lack of intent
- False accusations
- Insufficient evidence
- Constitutional violations
- Contradictory statements or recordings
A careful review of the evidence can sometimes uncover significant weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
No. Social media posts, direct messages, photos, videos, and even deleted content can become evidence in a criminal case.
People often underestimate how quickly investigators can obtain screenshots, subpoenas, witness statements, and phone records. Discussing the case publicly — even indirectly — can create serious problems for the defense.
