Criminal Defense

Print Ed Shaw works hard to protect your rights and aggressively pursue your defense. We have over 17 years of experience handling criminal cases ranging from simple to extremely serious.

Choose Ed Shaw Law for competent, experienced, and compassionate representation.

Call 218-825-7030, for a FREE, no obligation half hour phone or in-person consultation! The Shaw Law Office recently won not guilty verdicts on all charges after a criminal sexual conduct case went to jury trial in Crow Wing County. Click here for a link to an article in the Brainerd Dispatch for more information.

Need it done now? We handle emergency and short notice cases.

What should I do if I am charged with a crime?
It is important that your constitutional rights are fully protected and that you get the most reliable and honest legal representation possible. Criminal charges are very serious matters and how you manage them WILL affect the rest of your life.

How you handle a criminal charge is a very important decision. You should get legal advice before making decisions. For example, if you plead guilty to a crime and then decide that you shouldn’t have, it is almost impossible to change your plea after the fact.

What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?
A felony conviction can send you to prison for more than one year. A misdemeanor conviction can send you to jail for no more than one year. Felonies are taken more seriously by prospective employers and landlords; having a felony conviction on your record generally has much more serious consequences than a misdemeanor. However, some misdemeanor convictions can prevent you from obtaining certain types of jobs and housing.

Does everyone convicted of a crime go to jail?
No, a majority of people convicted of a crime do little or no jail time. Whether you go to jail depends on the severity of the crime, how you are represented, your criminal record, and other factors which can influence the judge’s decision.

I have heard of people getting off on “technicalities”; what does that mean?
The United States and Minnesota Constitution give us as citizens certain rights, including the right to not have our homes or vehicles searched without a valid reason and to not be pulled over in our vehicles or arrested without a valid reason.

If there is proof that the police violate an individual’s rights by entering their house, stopping them or arresting them without just cause, the criminal charges against the person will generally be dismissed.

I was charged with a DUI; what should I do?
DUI, driving under the influence, is one of the most common criminal charges. Many people who have not had experience with the criminal court system, are stopped and arrested for DUI. You will probably not learn from most lawyer web sites or advertising that the vast majority of people charged with DUI are convicted of DUI or an identical crime. No matter what attorney you get or how aggressive they say they are, the odds are that you will be convicted. This does not mean that getting an attorney is a waste of money, however.

Recent legal developments are challenging Minnesota DUI laws and giving drivers charged with DUI new options. Ask the attorney about what these developments mean to your case.

We have 17 years of experience defending the following kinds of charges:

DUI
Drug charges
Sexual crime charges
Violent crime charges
Assault charges
Theft
Disorderly Conduct
Domestic Abuse/ Order for Protection

Disclaimer -
We have tried to make this guide helpful for anyone charged with a crime, but the rules in our profession require that we tell you that this guide is not a substitute for an attorney or professional legal advice. Every individual situation is different and how the rules in this guide will apply to your situation may vary. You should receive competent legal advice from our office before making any legal decisions.