Date: August 2021
Case: 5th Degree Controlled Substance
Attorney: Mike Brandt
Result: Mike Brandt’s client was charged with a felony 5th Degree drug charge based upon a quantity of marijuana that was found in his client’s vehicle during a traffic stop. After reviewing the evidence, Mike filed a motion to dismiss the charges based upon illegal conduct by the police. Based upon this motion, the prosecutor agreed to amend the charge to one of a petty misdemeanor possession of a small amount of marijuana. Mike’s client paid a $50 fine and was not subject to probation or any other conditions.
Date: August 2021
Case: First-Degree Controlled Substance Sale
Attorney: Mike Brandt
Result: Mike was retained to assist a client charged with First-Degree Controlled Substance in Douglas County. Based upon his client’s record, Mike’s client was looking at a sentence of 75 months in prison. However, based upon legal issues that Mike raised and the steps Mike’s client took to rehabilitate himself, Mike was able to negotiate a downward dispositional departure and his client was able to avoid prison time. Instead of prison, the client was placed on probation for 10 years.
In addition to this charge, Mike was also successful in getting his client discharged from probation on 2 felonies and also succeeded in persuading a prosecutor to dismiss another drug case based upon his client’s plea to the First Degree charge.
Date: August 2021
Case: Third-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct
Attorney: Mike Brandt
Result: Mike was retained to fight a Third-Degree CSC in Anoka County. Mike’s client was looking at 64—84 months in prison. Mike was able to secure a downward dispositional departure. As a result, Mike’s client avoided the presumptive prison sentence. Instead, the client received 180 days in jail and was placed on probation.
Date: August 2021
Case: Second-Degree DWI Refusal
Attorney: Mike Brandt
Result: Mike was retained to fight a Second-Degree DWI Refusal in Wright County. Because of the charge, Mike’s client faced a mandatory minimum jail sentenced of 90 days. Based upon Mike’s review of the facts of the case and his threat to go to trial, Mike was able to negotiate the charge down to a Third-Degree DWI. As a result, Mike’s client avoided the mandatory minimum of 90 days in jail. Instead of any jail time, the client received 30 days Home Electronic Monitoring.
Date: July 2021
Case: Reckless Driving
Attorney: Michael J. Brandt
Result: Mike’s client crashed into a street sign and tree after speeding down a neighborhood street. Mike’s client was charged with Misdemeanor Reckless Driving and Misdemeanor Speeding. Mike explained various details about the legal issues in the case to the prosecutor and negotiated a Stay of Adjudication. As part of the negotiation, the prosecutor also agreed to dismiss the Misdemeanor Speeding charge. Mike’s client pled guilty to Misdemeanor Reckless Driving but the Court Stayed adjudication of this offense, meaning the Court did not accept his plea and did not convict him. Instead, Mike’s client was placed on supervised probation for 1 year. If Mike’s client successfully completes all conditions of probation, the charges will be dismissed in 1 year and Mike’s client will avoid a conviction on his record.
Date: July 2021
Case: Careless Driving
Attorney: Michael J. Brandt
Result: Mike’s client was charged with Misdemeanor Careless Driving after making a 270 degree turn in his almost-empty school parking lot. Mike planned to take the case to trial. However, just before trial, Mike again spoke with the prosecutor and convinced her to agree to a Continuance for Dismissal on the charge. This means if Mike’s client successfully completes the conditions placed on him by the prosecutor, the charge will be automatically dismissed in 6 months. Mike’s client avoided a conviction on his record and did not have to admit to any wrongdoing.
Date: July 2021
Case: DWI
Attorney: Mike Brandt
Result: Mike was retained to help a client charged with gross misdemeanor test refusal in Lake of the Woods County. Mike reviewed the evidence and brought a challenge as to whether or not the police violated his client’s rights when they arrested him. Mike discussed the legal issues with the prosecutor and due to the issues Mike raised, Mike was successful in getting the DWI Refusal charge reduced to a Careless Driving, keeping a DWI off his client’s record.
Date: July 2021
Case: First Degree Controlled Substance Crime
Attorney: Michael J. Brandt
Result: Mike’s client was charged with several counts of aiding and abetting and conspiracy to commit Felony Aggravated First Degree Controlled Substance Crimes. These charges carried mandatory sentences of 7 years in prison. Mike encouraged his client to complete a substance use assessment and follow its recommendations. Mike explained his client’s proactive steps and the legal issues in the case to the prosecutor. Mike convinced the prosecutor to dismiss all but one of the charges, which the prosecutor agreed to amend to Aiding and Abetting Felony Second Degree Sale of a Controlled Substance and recommend a Stay of Imposition to the Court. Mike’s client pled guilty to this charge and the Court accepted this plea and convicted her of a felony, but the Court agreed to a Stay of Imposition. This means that the conviction will remain a felony while Mike’s client is on probation, however, once she successfully completes probation the conviction will be deemed a misdemeanor and she will have her civil rights restored.
Date: June 2021
Case: Felony 5th Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance
Attorney: Michael J. Brandt
Result: Mike’s client was charged with Felony 5th Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance and Gross Misdemeanor Child Endangerment after the police executed a warrant on his home and found a felony amount of marijuana. Mike connected with the prosecutor and explained to her his client’s lack of criminal history and personal situation. Mike negotiated a Stay of Adjudication for the Felony drug charge and the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the child endangerment charge. As per the agreement with the prosecutor, Mike’s client pled guilty to the Felony drug charge but the Court set aside his plea and did not convict him. Instead, the Court placed Mike’s client on supervised probation for 2 years. Upon successful completion of probation, the Felony drug charge will be dismissed and Mike’s client will avoid both a conviction and any jail or prison time. Additionally, once Mike’s client completes probation, he will have the opportunity to have the records from this case sealed.
Date: June 2021
Case: Second Probation Violation
Attorney: Michael J. Brandt
Result: Mike’s client was accused of violating his probation for a second time and faced prison time. Mike connected with the prosecutor before the probation violation hearing and explained that his client was undergoing new treatment, had a fair amount of jail credit, and was on probation in another county as well. Mike convinced the prosecutor to agree to Mike’s client being discharged from probation if he admitted to the violation. The court accepted this agreement and Mike’s client avoided additional jail time, avoided prison, and was discharged from probation.