Legal Question in Criminal Law in Minnesota

A few weeks ago, I went out to a local bar; when it was closing time, I went to get my jacket from the coat check, only to find out that the workers had given my one hundred and twenty dollar wool peacock jacket to someone else. I was extremely upset at this and even more sad that a jacket I had worked extremely hard for was given away to some stranger. I was crying about my jacket to the manager when an officer came up to me and said, "Stop crying over a stupid jacket. You are getting on my last nerve." I of course couldn't stop crying because this jacket was important to me. The manager and I were in the middle of exchanging phone numbers when the officer pulled me by the arm and dragged me out of the bar and said, "You're going to jail." I was arrested for "obstruction of justice" and "disorderly conduct". I know that I did not do anything wrong. I would like to know how I would go about handling this situation and how I can prevent this as a blemish on my clean record.


Asked on 12/12/10, 9:50 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas C. Gallagher Gallagher Criminal Defense

Your description does not sound like a violation of Minnesota's Disorderly Conduct statute to me. To keep your records as clean as possible, I would recommend two things: (1) avoid any conviction; and also (2) avoid any guilty plea. A "Continuance for Dismissal without a Plea" should meet that criteria. It would be best to have a good defense lawyer (like me) represent you. Of course that would cost money. You could also apply for a public defender if you are indigent. Or you could go to the court date, talk to the prosecutor yourself, and if they are unwilling to do the above or dismiss outright, get a new court date and get a lawyer in the meantime.

Read more
Answered on 12/18/10, 8:30 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Minnesota