So far in 2010, there have been 29 homicides, more than the total number of homicides for all of 2009. While many cities and states across the country are moving towards more lax gun control, Minneapolis is promising tougher penalties and more federal prosecutions.

Federal weapons charges can bring tougher sentences and no parole compared with those handled in the Minnesota state criminal courts. By handling these cases at the federal level, officials are hoping to keep people from offending beforehand and then keep them off the streets longer should the deterrence aspect not work.

A federal prosecutor at the press conference promises smart prosecutions stating they won’t be imprisoning kids who make a mistake. Instead, he wants to go after the “worst of the worst”—getting and keeping them off the streets.

This move doesn’t mean state courts won’t be handling gun crimes as well. Officials at both levels will be meeting weekly to determine which cases should be brought to the federal courts and which can be handled at the state level. Police, county attorneys, and federal agencies plan on working together to make this a cooperative effort.

Gun seizures are said to be up 32 percent from last year. Police estimate they confiscate about 1,500 weapons from the city streets every year. There is a never-ending supply of the weapons as the illegal gun trade continuously supplies them.

You don’t have to be a gun trafficker or convicted felon to run afoul of gun laws in this state, however. Even “recklessly handling a weapon” can get you misdemeanor charges at the state level, carrying up to 1 year in jail and $3,000 in fines.

I’ve even seen people who were facing criminal weapons charges and had no idea what exactly they did to break the law. That’s understandable considering how many laws there are controlling firearm ownership, transport, and usage.

If you are facing weapons charges, our attorneys can help you make sense of the case. Contact us today to discuss the specifics of your charges and what your options are for a tough and fair legal defense.

Thirty one year old Freddy Rivera faces multiple felony charges of assault for incidences that occurred on more than once occasion in the past few months. According to the Star Tribune, this man has a “proclivity for knives”.

The first charge is a second degree assault charge for an even that took place last month. Rivera allegedly assaulted and stabbed his ex girlfriend and the mother of his children.

The victim in the case had taken the children to see their aunt, Rivera’s sister, when she ran into Rivera at the house. She approached him about needing money for the children at which time she claims he punched her, slapped her, and stabbed her three times.

The second incident involves a case of competitive parents at a children’s sports event. Rivera and another parent got into an altercation at a football game. This particular knife fight landed Rivera with a first degree assault charge.

The final charges against Rivera were for a fight that took place in the parking lot outside of the Mazatlan Bar. In this altercation Rivera again stabbed a man, this time for suspecting the man of having a relationship with his ex-girlfriend.

All in all, Rivera faces a total of 2 second degree assault charges, one first degree assault charge, and a charge of second degree rioting. All of these are felony charges and have the potential to put the defendant behind bars for quite sometime.

No one for sure can say what Rivera’s motivation was in all of these incidences but the judge will more than likely recommend some kind of anger management treatment either while he is incarcerated or upon his release.

Assaults happen quite often but they don’t typically happen to the same person this many times. Domestic assaults, like the one Rivera allegedly committed against his ex girlfriend are no doubt the most common assaults, though not always seen by the courts.

Whether you are accused of a domestic assault, a bar fight, or a simple altercation that got out of hand, you are probably now realizing how it feels to be viewed as a violent criminal. However, if you haven’t been convicted, you are guaranteed to some protection under the law and it is your attorney’s job to ensure those protections are in place.

If you are facing charges like this and need the assistance of an experienced defense attorney, contact me today to discuss the details of your case.

Gun permits issued for the first time after the law was passed are now facing a 5 year renewal period requirement. Renewal requires a $75 fee, paperwork updating at the county sheriff’s offices, updated background checks, a refresher course in the rights and responsibilities of the permit, and some additional practice time on the gun ranges.

When this law was passed 5 years ago, there was some concern that more gun incidents would result from the increased available licenses. Under the law, the sheriff’s departments have less discretion in refusing to issue a handgun carrying permit. Anyone who passes the background check, and has no criminal history or mental health issues is issued the permit with no other difficulties. Previously, law enforcement could reject the application for little reason, and had broad discretion in denying the licenses.

Despite this changes, there have been no significant increase (or decrease) in violent crime or gun use. No doubt many people applied for the concealed-carry permit because “the could”. Some probably never even acquired a handgun, and many of those people may be letting their permits lapse at this point.

But if you are going to continue to carry a weapon, please make sure your permit is current, or there could be legal consequences.

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If you are facing a criminal gun charge in Minnesota, please contact our attorney for a free defense consultation.