Following are some of our recent successes.
OSBORN CONVINCES DAKOTA COUNTY JUDGE TO THROW OUT URINE TEST.
Osborn argued to a Dakota County Judge recently that the type of urine testing done in Minnesota is not generally accepted within the general forensic science community and thus should be not be used against her client. To support her argument, Osborn presented evidence through the testimony of forensic scientist Thomas Burr. Burr testified that the forensic science community does not support this type of testing. The state’s expert agreed with Osborn that a urine test could show that a person was above the legal limit of .08 and yet be at .00 on a blood test. Osborn argued that urine testing violates due process and does not pass the Frye-Mack standard for admissibility. The Judge AGREED with Osborn and threw the test result out and rescinded the revocation of the client’s driving privileges.
OSBORN WINS ANOTHER DWI CASE – Itasca County
In a recent Itasca County case Osborn convinced the state to amend her client’s DWI to a Careless Driving. Osborn’s client was charged with DWI as a result of a urine test that showed a result above the legal limit. With recent research in hand regarding the impropriety of pooled urine testing in Minnesota – Osborn convinced the Prosecutor that she would fight tooth and nail against the state if it attempted to use the urine test against her client. The prosecutor agreed to amend the charge to a careless driving.
In the related Implied consent case Osborn convinced the judge that the state failed to meet its evidentiary burden to prove that the urine test was administered according to scientifically acceptable procedure and the judge ruled that the test could not be used. Thus, Osborn WON the implied consent case for her client.
A win on both the Criminal DWI and the Civil Implied Consent Cases – means that the client walks away without a DWI on her criminal record or an alcohol related driving offense on her driving record.
OSBORN WINS DWI REFUSAL CASE – Anoka County
In a recent Anoka County DWI Refusal case Osborn convinced the Judge that the client’s failed attempts at taking the breath test were not a result of refusal to submit. The state had charged Osborn’s client with refusal after the machine showed an invalid reading. The state argued that Osborn’s client caused the invalid reading by “not blowing hard enough.” But – Osborn – educated on the operation of Minnesota’s breath testing equipment – successfully convinced the judge that the machine was the cause of the invalid reading and not her client. The judge dismissed the state’s case.
OSBORN CONVINCES THE STATE TO CONTINUE CASE FOR DISMISSAL – Hennepin County
In a recent Hennepin County Domestic Abuse case Osborn convinced the prosecutor to continue the case for dismissal for a one year period. That means that after one year if her client does not get a similar conviction that the state will dismiss the case and Osborn’s client walks away without a criminal conviction.
OSBORN WINS DWI CASE – Dakota County
As in every DWI case, a person must win two cases in order for it to result without conviction/revocation on their record – the civil and criminal case. At Osborn Law Office, we zealously defend persons in the criminal case and aggressively assert their rights in the civil case.
In a recent DWI case, Sharon Osborn won in the civil case when a Dakota County Judge rescinded the revocation of Osborn’s clients driving privileges. As a result, the arrest, breath test result and license revocation were all deleted from her client’s driving record.
Knowing that a win in the civil case was not the end of the fight, Osborn then moved forward with a zealous defense in the criminal case. Using the civil discovery rules, Osborn inundated the prosecutor with Motions to exclude certain evidence, Motions to determine the admissibility of exhibits and other evidence, and a Request for Production of Document. Osborn then retained a forensic scientist to attack the the state’s alcohol breath test results. On the day of trial Osborn was ready to move forward. The prosecutor then offered to amend the charge from Gross Misdemeanor DWI, to a charge of Careless Driving. Osborn’s client accepted the offer.
Thus, the case was “won.” Osborn’s client was not convicted of a DWI in the criminal case, nor did the revocation stand in the civil case.
SHARON OSBORN SECURES RETURN OF FORFEITED VEHICLE – Washington County
Ms. Osborn secured the return of her client’s 2001 GMC pick-up truck. The Washington County Sheriff had seized the vehicle for forfeiture under Minnesota’s DWI forfeiture law. Believing the vehicle was not subject to forfeiture under the “innocent owner” exception, Osborn took the offensive. Using the civil discovery rules, she inundated the prosecutor with Requests for Production of Documents, Requests for Admissions and Interrogatories.
After receipt of this paperwork, the prosecutor called Osborn and agreed to return the vehicle. Osborn was able also to secure the return of the vehicle to the client with minimal costs, the client had to pay the initial towing charges, there were no storage fees.
If you have been accused of a DWI or DUI and your car, boat or motorcycle has been seized for forfeiture, call Sharon Osborn immediately. If you fail to file certain documents within 30 days, you will likely be unable to have your vehicle returned.
OSBORN ACQUIRES EXPUNGEMENT OF 1st DEGREE CRIM SEX – Anoka County
Osborn was successful in getting a 1st degree Criminal Sexual Conduct charge and arrest expunged from her client’s criminal record. At the expungement hearing, Osborn convinced the Anoka County District Court that her client’s criminal records should be expunged. Also, Osborn argued that all government agencies holding a record of the offense seal all files and records relating to the alleged offenses, and refrain from disclosing or revealing the contents thereof. The Anoka County Judge agreed with Osborn’s position and issued an order granting the judicial and administrative expungement.
SHARON OSBORN PROCURES RETURN OF PROPERTY – Hennepin County
In Hennepin County, Ms. Osborn successfully procured the return of her client’s property which was seized two years earlier. Pursuant to a search warrant, police had seized property from the home of Osborn’s client. After numerous attempts to regain his property, the client contacted Osborn for help. Osborn sought a court order for return of the property. At the motion hearing, Osborn demanded prompt return of the property. The Hennepin County Judge agreed with Osborn and ordered that the property be return within a week of the hearing date. The property was returned that week.
OSBORN GETS STATE TO DISMISS 1st DEGREE BURGLARY CHARGES – Hennepin County
Sharon Osborn’s client was charged with First Degree Burglary. Osborn immediately got to work gathering evidence and researching creative ways to beat the charges. At a pretrial hearing Osborn attacked the State’s case. Both the prosecutor and the judge agreed with Osborn’s position – and agreed to a Stay of Adjudication.
Osborn secured the Stay of Adjudication, which resulted in her client avoiding a criminal conviction – without the expense and emotional stress of trial.
“A stay of adjudication is essentially a continuance of sentencing, without final adjudication of guilt, usually upon certain conditions, and with the prospect of avoiding a final conviction.” 9 Henry W. McCarr & Jack S. Nordby, Minnesota Practice – Criminal Law and Procedure § 36.3 (3d ed. 2006)
OSBORN SUCEEDS IN DISMISSAL OF DOMESTIC ASSAULT CHARGES – Dakota County
Sharon R. Osborn successfully defended her client on Domestic Assault charges brought in Dakota County. The day of the jury trial, the State moved to dismiss all charges against Ms. Osborn’s client. The prosecutor agreed with Ms. Osborn that the State did not have enough evidence to proceed to trial.
OSBORN WINS FELONY EXPUNGEMENT – Hennepin County
Sharon Osborn was successful in getting a felony conviction expunged from her client’s criminal record. At the expungement hearing, Osborn argued that the Hennepin County District Court, under its inherent authority, should seal her client’s criminal record. Osborn argued that the facts of the case supported a ruling in favor of her client. Specifically, her client had shown significant rehabilitation, he had had a long period of unsupervised good behavior, and there was evidence that the criminal record was causing her client considerable hardship. The judge, applying a balancing test, determined that there was clear and convincing evidence that the benefit of expungement to Ms. Osborn’s client was greater than the disadvantage to the public. The judge issued his order expunging the felony conviction. Upon getting the good news, Osborn’s client said that the outcome was “a rebirth” for him.
OSBORN SECURES RETURN OF FORFEITED VEHICLE – Hennepin County
Attorney Sharon Osborn convinced the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office to return the $30,000 vehicle it had seized just the week before. Osborn immediately took aggressive action. She knew that the county would have to appear at a hearing before a judge within 96 hours of the seizure…
Sharon Osborn convinced the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office to return the $30,000 vehicle it had seized just the week before.
The circumstance that resulted in the seizure was that a Minnesota state trooper noticed Osborn’s client, JS, traveling at a high rate of speed. The trooper traveled at speeds around 125 miles per hour to catch the vehicle. Because of the speed he traveled to catch JS’s vehicle, he claimed that JS had intentionally tried to evade him and arrested her for felony fleeing a peace officer.
Because the state can forfeit an automobile used in the commission of such a crime, the trooper eagerly sought to take the car. He issued JS a notice of forfeiture for the 2005 Acura. JS hired our firm to represent her for the criminal charges and to prevent the government from legally “stealing” her car.
Sharon Osborn, immediately took aggressive action. She knew that the county would have to appear at a hearing before a judge within 96 hours of the seizure. Sharon, armed with the latest research, believed she could get the vehicle back and took on an unsuspecting Assistant Hennepin County Attorney. At the conclusion of the hearing the judge told the parties that he needed time to review the issue. Shortly afterward, the state called Sharon and agreed to return the vehicle provided JS pay for the towing charges. The vehicle was return to JS safe and sound.
