Criminal sexual conduct & sexual assault defense.
Being accused of a sexual offense—whether it’s called criminal sexual conduct, sexual assault, gross sexual imposition, or another related charge—can be one of the most serious and isolating experiences a person faces.
These cases don’t just carry the risk of prison. They can affect employment, housing, family relationships, and reputation long before a case is ever resolved. How an investigation is handled, what evidence exists, and what decisions are made early on all matter.
I represent individuals facing sexual assault and sex-crime allegations in Minnesota and North Dakota, including cases charged in Clay County and Cass County, and the surrounding region.
PRACTICE AREAS – MN: Clay County, Becker County, and Norman County / ND: Cass County
Talk to a lawyer before you talk to anyone else.
If you are under investigation or facing sexual assault charges in Minnesota or North Dakota, early decisions can affect the entire course of the case. Waiting too long to understand your situation, or assuming things will sort themselves out, can close off options that might otherwise exist.
If your case involves Clay County or another local court, it makes sense to speak with someone who understands how these cases move through the system.
What these cases often involve.
Sex-crime allegations cover a wide range of situations, including:
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Criminal sexual conduct in all degrees
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Sexual assault allegations involving force or coercion
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Allegations involving minors
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Consent disputes
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Cases involving alcohol or impaired judgment
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Allegations tied to text messages, social media, or digital evidence
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Investigations involving positions of authority or trust
No two cases are the same. Labels alone don’t tell you how strong or weak a case actually is.
How sexual assault investigations typically begin.
Many sexual assault cases start before charges are ever filed. That can include:
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A report to law enforcement
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A complaint to a school, employer, or institution
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A forensic interview or medical exam
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Requests for phone records or digital messages
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Interviews with witnesses or third parties
Once an allegation is made, investigators begin building a case long before a defense attorney sees a charging document. Statements made early, sometimes without counsel, often become central pieces of evidence later.
These cases turn on evidence and credibility.
Sexual assault cases are rarely about a single piece of proof. They often depend on:
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Competing accounts of what happened
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Timing and consistency of statements
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Physical or forensic evidence — or the lack of it
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Digital records, messages, or call logs
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Whether consent can be meaningfully evaluated
Police reports and charging decisions are not the final word. What matters is whether the State can meet its burden in court and whether the evidence holds up under scrutiny.
A meaningful defense looks closely at:
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How statements were obtained
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What assumptions are being made
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What evidence supports — or contradicts — the allegation
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How credibility issues affect the case as a whole
Consequences go beyond the criminal charge.
Sex-crime allegations can trigger consequences outside the criminal case, including:
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Sex offender registration requirements
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Restrictions on housing, travel, or employment
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Professional licensing issues
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Family or custody complications
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Long-term reputational harm
These consequences often exist regardless of how confident someone feels about their innocence. That reality should factor into how a case is handled from the start.
A case-by-case, trial-ready approach.
I do not treat sexual assault cases as routine, and I don’t assume every case follows the same path. My approach focuses on:
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Careful review of reports, interviews, and evidence
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Identifying weaknesses and inconsistencies early
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Evaluating whether litigation improves the client’s position
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Giving realistic advice about risk, leverage, and possible outcomes
Some cases resolve. Some require contested hearings. Some must be prepared for trial from the beginning. The right approach depends on the facts — not a template.