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Questions Answered by Jonathan Matthew Holson
2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Minnesota on
Q: What are consumer rights regarding illegal items in a repossessed vehicle?

If a car is repossessed without warning and taken by a tow company and stored on a lot, does the repo company inventory items? If so, What happens in a scenario where illegal items that carry felony level charges are found? Example: small amount (5th degree?) controlled substance, paraphernalia.... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Apr 11, 2024

The repossession company has no obligation keep illegal items found in a repossessed vehicle private. They should and will likely turn over any illegal items found in the vehicle over to law enforcement. I would presume that the individual would then be charged with possession for those items... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Minnesota on
Q: My son was killed by a 16 year old driver, who is only being charged with FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A SINGLE LANE violation.

The Accident Reconstruction Report, the Crash Report, the Field Report and 2 eyewitness statements are available, and all show that the 16 year old driver crossed over the center line causing the accident. The eyewitness reports specifically state that it appeared to be intentional, with the 16... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Mar 31, 2024

There is nothing you can do for force the county attorney to charge out any particular offense. You can certainly voice your opinions on what you believe should occur in the case, but ultimately, the County Attorney has the ultimate authority of what, if anything, to charge out in this case.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Minnesota on
Q: GM 5th deg-possession of drug, first timer, and I was wondering if I’m serving jail time or how much would I have to pay

It’s 3 Percocet pill that I’ve been caught with and it’s my first time and it’s gross misdemeanor charges GM 5th deg-possession of drug, first timer, and I was wondering if I’m serving jail time or how much would I have to pay

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Mar 21, 2024

I think that it is unlikely that you would be facing jail time for a first time GM drug possession case. The best thing that you can do for yourself to avoid having to serve jail would be to get a Chemical Use Assessment and start following the recommendations. That is something that you are... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Federal Crimes for Minnesota on
Q: Can you open carry an AR with you conceal and carry permit?

I have been looking through so many sites and can’t seem to get a reliable answer everything seems to contradict.

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Mar 6, 2024

Honestly, I'm not sure if you would be permitted to do so. But I would suggest that things that might be legal aren't necessarily smart to do. Law enforcement is going to be all over you if you are out wandering around open carrying an AR-15 or similar type long gun. Rightly or... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI and Traffic Tickets for Minnesota on
Q: Hello question my friend was just pulled over for a headlight out . Mind you she was only about 2 miles away from home.

She's mental health issues and she is a diabetit was 8 PM the night before Thanksgiving as she got pulled over for a headlight out. As the officer approached her window he had noticed her pupils were Dilated. He jumped the gun and asked her if she was smoking fetal. He asked her to get out of... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Feb 8, 2024

In Minnesota, the license revocation process is a separate civil process from the criminal charges. A license is revoked immediately upon a breath test over the legal limit or a blood/urine test that shows a prohibited substance on board. She can apply for a public defender to represent her in... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets, Car Accidents and Juvenile Law for Minnesota on
Q: Kid got 2 driving violations within provisional driving period. Go to court or just pay the fines? Consequences?

Kid got a 2 charges, 1 for exhibition driving & other for more than one kid in the car while under provisional license. What are the definite and possible consequences for this?

A couple weeks prior she got a parking ticket, which went under mine and my husband's name since we own... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Feb 7, 2024

The exhibition driving is going to be a huge issue for your insurance. I would suggest doing what you can to negotiate that ticket down. It looks like you are in Hennepin County, so there is a far greater likelihood that they may be willing to agree to keep it off of her driving record assuming... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Minnesota on
Q: My husband has 2 criminal cases in another state that he reports for about monthly for the past 11 months.

The cases have not gone to trial yet. He has received discovery for at least one of the cases. He is on bond for each case, and they each involve felony charges.

Now in our home state he recently had an incident that caused him to have felonies charged.

He is now on bond here after... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Dec 15, 2023

No, there is not going to be a way to attend the other hearings and keep them secret. First, the fact that he is charged in another state is already public information. Second, he is going to have to ask for time away from the ankle monitor to attend those out-of-state hearings, and the home... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Minnesota on
Q: I’m going to represent myself in a petty theft case today. My plans to just plead guilty. Anything I should say or do?

Any advice on how to go about this? I’ve never represented myself before and would like anybody’s opinion ASAP please

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Nov 28, 2023

There is no such thing as a petty theft. The theft charge is either a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony. But no theft charges start out as a "petty" theft. I would tell you that a theft conviction is going to have long term consequences for you - especially for employment and... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Juvenile Law and Education Law for Minnesota on
Q: I have a 12 yr old sixth grader. Has mental illness p.t.s.d. and more. Can he be charged with assault?

Has a I.E.P and behavioral plan. The public schools do not know how to regulate a child with disabilities. So he has always struggled in school. Wright county is trying to charge him with 4th degree assault on a officer (felony) and 4th degree assault on school staff.

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Nov 3, 2023

Can a delinquency petition be filed? Yes. Is your child going to be adjudicated delinquent? That is impossible to predict with the information that is provided in this question. But the Court will certainly take into consideration any mental health issues and appropriate programming when... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Minnesota on
Q: Can I get a nonmoving violation dismissed if I can demonstrate that the PD is retaliating for a recent complaint I made?

4/2022, police were looking in my bathroom window just after 1am.They scared me; pounding on my window & shouting “I can see you! Open up!” I ran into my room & shut lights off. My kids were asleep in bed. Eventually police announce who they are & I open the door. It was the wrong... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Oct 25, 2023

That would be up to the judge, but you are going to be hard pressed to establish that the ticket was specifically issued in retaliation for your complaint about law enforcement. The case law on these issues is particularly bad regarding the individual motives of law enforcement where there is an... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Minnesota on
Q: I was charged and appointed public defender. State attorney filed to have a certain judge removed from my case . I was

Never informed about this . Recieved a probation sentence and violated . Was resentenced by the judge state had removed . Is this lagit

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Oct 12, 2023

Did you admit to the violation? Was there an agreement as to the sanction? If so, then you would simply receive the same disposition in front of a different judge. Otherwise, the case could be set in front a different judge for a formal probation violation. But I don't believe that this... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Landlord - Tenant for Minnesota on
Q: If someone on an isr program breaks the rules where they live can they be asked to move immediately?

The person on the isr program was to specifically get permission to have people he knows come over. He has continuously had people coming over when I'm gone at night working and my dog apparently bit one of these people. My dog has never but anyone before. I want him out of my house Bec I... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Oct 1, 2023

You don't indicate in your question what your relationship is to this individual. The legal issues surrounding asking them to leave - such as an eviction - are going to be different than the question of whether they are violating their supervised release conditions. I would advise you to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Minnesota on
Q: I was speeding going 93 in a 65. Cop wrote it down as a petty misdemeanor. I have a clean record. What are the charges?

I already admitted to the speeding on the scene. Is it worth going to court?

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Sep 18, 2023

The charges are whatever are listed on the citation that you were provided. In Hennepin County, it would certainly be worth setting a date with a hearing officer or even a court date. Hennepin is pretty generous with speed reductions or even a Continuance for Dismissal assuming that your driving... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence for Minnesota on
Q: How do I recant a statement I'm Crow Wing County
Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Sep 15, 2023

You can certainly contact the prosecuting attorney's office to explain that you wish to recant your statement. There may be consequences for doing do, including the possibility of falsely reporting a crime and there is no guarantee that the charges will be dismissed. In fact, I think that it... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Minnesota on
Q: Did they have a right to search and charge me

One county sent a kops alert because the night before a person fleed on foot after the officer found a gun on him. The officer had the gun in his evidence now. Since the person fleed on foot, the officer sent out a kops alert. Sometime hours after the incident the person who ran took the van they... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Sep 11, 2023

The search of you certainly could not be based upon a KOPS alert for your friend. They certainly could arrest him under the circumstances, but it is unclear why they searched you and what law enforcement found when they did. It is also unclear why they searched the vehicle. For example, they... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Minnesota on
Q: can law enforement keep your under survellance based on false accusations of criminal activity
Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Sep 8, 2023

Can they watch what you are doing in public? Yes, that is not something that requires a warrant. They could not search your property without a warrant. They cannot put a tracking device on your car without a warrant. They cannot listen to your phone calls without a warrant. But surveillance... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI and Traffic Tickets for Minnesota on
Q: looking to hire a lawyer to help with my driver's license and dui charge. What is the typical cost/ retainer for this?

I am needing representation for a dui charge that has not been brought up yet, but I have lost my license. The officer's in this case did not follow the laws and have a history of harassment. I passed the field sobriety test, and afterwards another officer showed up saying he believed i was... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Sep 5, 2023

Your best best may be to reach out directly to criminal defense attorneys. Fees are going to vary some, especially for somewhere outstate like Becker County. Attorneys that have offices towards the Cities are likely going to have to charge for windshield time, especially if there are in person... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence and Family Law for Minnesota on
Q: Meaning of “no direct or indirect contact” in a restraining order in context of being in the same physical area or room?

In context of an Harrassment Restraining Order: The order says I "shall have no direct or indirect contact with petitioner, including any visits to or phone calls to petitioners home, contact via electronic means such as email or social networking sites.”

Can I be in the same... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Sep 5, 2023

It is totally dependent upon the language in the OFP. I would avoid being in the same location as the protected party. Being at school events is setting yourself up for trouble. The problem is not being there, but putting yourself in a location where she can claim that you had some sort of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Minnesota on
Q: Were my rights violated?

I was supposed to get a jury trial to decide the outcome of my case, but the judge decided it all instead. Me and my boyfriend had the exact same charges, but he was given a much lighter outcome than me. I'm very confused and feel like I've been messed with a bit.

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Aug 30, 2023

The judge decided it instead? You must've waived your right to a jury trial. That would've occurred in court and on the record. None of us have seen the police reports. So there is no way to determine if the judge "got it right." But presumably, there must've been some... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Domestic Violence for Minnesota on
Q: Can i find an attorney for a trial that starts tomorrow for False Allegations of Sexual assault and Maltreatment, MN?

Complex Case: Criminal CPS cases dismissed. Civil current. Appeals? Indefinitely suspended FamilyPT, Juvenile history. Lawyer terminated our client/att. Relationship. Cannot find anyone to represent me. Urgent ExParte; Daughter attempted suicide due to forced to lie about accusation and father... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Aug 29, 2023

An attorney is not going to be prepared who is retained the day for a hearing/trial. It is unclear from your question whether this is a criminal trial; an OFP/HRO hearing; a child protection trial; or something else. Your best bet is to go to the hearing and request additional time from the Court... View More

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