Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines
Understand Your Minnesota Criminal Charges Get a free case evaluationPrinciples of Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines
The underlying reason for sentencing guidelines is so that people convicted of a similar felony under the same circumstances receive similar sentences. They’re also used so felons who are substantially different receive a proportional sentence within the guidelines.
Obviously, prison is the most severe penalty but it’s not the only sanction available to a judge. Because state and local correctional facilities can hold only so many people, incarceration should be limited to people convicted of the most serious crimes or who have a long history of offenses. As a result, we argue on behalf of clients for a judge to impose the least restrictive penalty available, offering mitigating circumstances that may have resulted in a crime being committed. We seek what are known as mitigated dispositional and durational departures from the sentencing guidelines.
Obtaining Equal Justice for Criminal Defendants in Minnesota
An important part of our job as criminal defense attorneys is to ensure that the punishment fits the crime. Clients who have been found guilty of relatively minor penalties and who have no criminal history as adults need to have aggressive lawyers arguing for the minimum sentence allowed under the guidelines. Often, probation or house arrest is the most-fitting penalty while still serving the interests of the community.
Contact the experienced Minneapolis criminal defense attorneys and St.Paul criminal defense attorneys at Sieben Edmunds Miller.
Get a Free Case Evaluation
We are here to help. Let us evaluate your case for you. Free of charge – no obligation. Complete our free case evaluation form or call us directly at (651) 323-2464.
Recent Blog Posts
What You Need to Know About Self-Defense
Self-defense might seem like a self-explanatory concept, but many pitfalls can hinder your self-defense claims. Fortunately, the attorneys at Sieben Edmunds Miller are experienced and knowledgeable in the area of self-defense. It is critical to contact an attorney...
Loss and Restoration of Firearms Rights in Minnesota
On its face, the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to keep and bear arms. But state and federal courts have established that this is a limited right and one that is subject to removal upon the conviction of certain crimes. This article will provide...
How A DWI Affects Your Commercial Drivers License
A job on the road appeals to many Minnesotans. A career driving an 18-wheeler, livestock carrier, flatbed, or another commercial vehicle has many benefits: these jobs are flexible and pay well, not to mention the scenery is usually better than what you'd see looking...
Do I Need a Lawyer for my Criminal Case?
People ask me this question all the time. And my response is always the same: “You may not need a lawyer, but you may want a lawyer.” Simply put, if you’re facing a crime (or the potential of being charged with a crime), you always have the right to represent...
Kim Potter Will Likely Be Acquitted of First-Degree Manslaughter
The great American baseball player Yogi Berra once said, “it’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” Even experienced criminal defense lawyers come to different conclusions when analyzing the chance a particular case has to succeed at trial. There...
Which Factors Influence Blood Alcohol Concentration?
Most of us have heard advice about how to control our level of intoxication while drinking. Common tips include, “Don’t have more than one drink per hour and you’ll be fine to drive,” and “Just have a glass of water between drinks if you need to drive home!” These are...
Free Case Evaluation
Contact Info
Note: The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.