A Minnesota Court of Appeals judge was sentenced to probation and community service after being charged with driving under the influence on Black Friday.
- Not consume alcohol
- Submit to random testing
- Complete community service
- Complete a chemical dependency evaluation
- Pay a fine
It Pays To Know
When you look a little closer at the case, it’s clear that it pays to be familiar with the legal system. A breath test taken about an hour after authorities found Worke stuck in a snowbank found that she had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16, which means she would face upgraded charges for a DWI with aggravating factors.
This means instead of facing a misdemeanor charge, Worke was looking at a gross misdemeanor, which carries more severe potential penalties. She likely saw what could happen in a worst case scenario and connected with a defense lawyer who helped negotiate a deal to a lesser charge and with some guidance on the potential penalties. A gross misdemeanor includes the potential of up to a year in jail, but this judge got off with a slap on the wrist. If she avoids alcohol and finishes some other basic elements of her probation, she’s in the clear.
We don’t pen this to say that the judge got favorable treatment, but rather showcase how important it is to have a good grasp on the criminal justice system. The judge clearly went into damage control mode and trusted her case to an experienced criminal defense attorney who was able to work with the prosecution to cut a pretty favorable deal.
We do this all the time for our clients. We’re constantly working to build a strong defense while also keeping our options open in terms of negotiating a plea deal in the event we believe it’s in our client’s best interest. We’ll obviously run any potential deal past our clients before securing a deal, but it’s nice to know that you have a few different options when it comes to your legal defense should you run into trouble.
If you or someone you know needs legal help after a DWI arrest or navigating a different legal matter, pick up the phone and connect with the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
