Criminal Defense

212 Third Avenue North, Suite 545
Mpls, MN 55401 | 612.746.4277

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Frequently Asked Questions about Criminal Defense Law

Q: Do I need a lawyer's help if I am accused of a crime?

A: It is always in your best interest to consult a criminal defense lawyer as early as possible if you suspect you will be facing the criminal justice system. Whether or not you believe you have been wrongfully accused, an attorney will fight for your legal and constitutional rights and monitor the proceedings for legality and fairness. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal counsel.

Q: What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

A: The traditional definition of a felony is a crime that is punishable by a year or more in jail. A misdemeanor is a crime that is punishable by imprisonment of less than one year. Felonies are more serious crimes than misdemeanors.

Sixty-eight percent of those convicted of a felony in 2000 were sentenced to incarceration. That's over two-thirds. If you want to reduce the chances that you'll go to jail, a skilled and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney is your best ally.

Criminal Defense Center

At the DeGree Law Office, we can appreciate that being charged with a crime is a frightening experience. Yet with a good defense lawyer, criminal charges do not equate to a criminal conviction. We have the resources and experience to mount a solid defense to a variety of criminal charges. Below is more educational information about your rights and options concerning criminal defense.

If you have been, or are about to be charged, with a crime and need a truly committed criminal defense attorney, contact the DeGree Law Office immediately. The DeGree Law Office is located in the Minneapolis Warehouse District and easily accessible from Ramsey, Hennepin and Dakota Counties.

Criminal Defense - An Overview

Our criminal justice system can be overwhelming and frightening. The incarceration rate in the United States is much higher than that of other industrialized countries. Prison sentences are getting longer and more frequent. If you face the possibility of being accused of a crime, contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer as early in the process as possible, preferably even before questioning or investigation by the police. A skilled attorney can fight for your legal and constitutional rights.

Constitutional Protections for the Criminal Defendant

The United States Constitution and its subsequent amendments define the scope of governmental power and reserve certain individual rights to the people. The first 10 amendments, also called the Bill of Rights, contain basic, fundamental rights of individuals on which the government may not impinge. Many of these constitutional rights provide protection to criminal defendants in the criminal justice system. The Fourteenth Amendment extends substantive due process rights beyond just the federal system to criminal defendants in state courts where the vast majority of criminal trials occur.

The basic constitutional rights of the criminal defendant permeate every aspect of the criminal justice process. If you have been accused of a crime, whether federal, state or local, a seasoned criminal defense attorney can explain these rights to you and help you to fight for them at every step of the way.

Classifications of Crimes

Because the negative behavior regulated by the criminal laws varies from relatively minor to devastatingly violent, crimes are classified into levels or degrees. The classification of a crime reflects its seriousness. The actual classification of a particular offense varies depending on the jurisdiction. If you are questioned about a crime or are accused of or arrested for a crime, you should consult an experienced attorney as early in the process as possible. A criminal defense lawyer can explain the particular crime involved and its possible ramifications.

The Right to Counsel

The Sixth Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees the right to an attorney to anyone facing federal criminal charges. The 14th Amendment and some state constitutions also afford this right to anyone facing state felony charges. Those who are indigent and cannot afford an attorney have the right to have one appointed to them for free. Most people, however, do not understand what the right to an attorney means, when this right attaches or who qualifies for a court-appointed lawyer.

If you are accused of a serious crime, it is essential that you retain the services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer to fight for your legal and constitutional rights throughout the criminal justice process.

Criminal Defense Resource Links

Equal Justice, USA
"Capital Defense Handbook For Defendants and Their Families" provides information and advice about death-penalty cases from the defense point of view.

ACLU: Prisoners' Rights
Resource provided by the American Civil Liberties Union with information on national and state efforts to recognize and protect prisoner's rights.

Justice Denied
"Justice Denied" is a magazine devoted to helping people who have been wrongly convicted of crime in the US and internationally.

The Sentencing Project
A national leader in the development of alternative sentencing programs and in research and advocacy about criminal justice policy.

Prison Policy Initiative
The Prison Policy Initiative conducts research and advocacy about incarceration and criminal justice policy.

The Degree Law Office is conveniently located in the Minneapolis Warehouse District and is easily accessible by clients from uptown and the greater Twin Cities metro area, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnetonka, Edina, Roseville, Golden Valley, Bloomington, Richfield, Eagan, Woodbury, Maplewood, Shakopee, Wayzata, Apple Valley, Chanhassen, Columbia Heights, Carver County, Dakota County, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Scott County and Washington County. We handle cases throughout the state of Minnesota.