Felony assault & violent crimes defense.
Felony assault cases are rarely as straightforward as police reports make them sound. These cases often turn on credibility, injury claims, body-camera footage, and whether the State can actually prove what it charged—not just what it alleged.
I represent clients charged with serious assault and violent crime offenses in Clay County, Becker County, Norman County, and Cass County, focusing on early litigation, evidentiary challenges, and trial-ready defense.
PRACTICE AREAS – MN: Clay County, Becker County, and Norman County / ND: Cass County
Talk to a lawyer before you talk to anyone else.
Assault charges carry real consequences—criminal records, probation, prison exposure, and collateral effects that last long after the case ends.
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If you are facing felony assault or violent crime charges, it is critical to understand:
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What the State must actually prove
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What evidence exists (and what doesn’t)
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Whether the case improves or weakens with litigation
Assault charges require careful scrutiny.
Assault cases are often charged aggressively at the outset—sometimes before all facts are known. Felony assault charges commonly involve:
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Claims of bodily harm without medical documentation
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Conflicting witness statements
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Escalation from misdemeanor to felony based on alleged status or injury
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Law enforcement credibility being taken at face value
What matters is not how serious the allegation sounds, but whether it can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Types of assault cases I defend.
I handle assault and violent crime cases including:
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Felony assault
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Assault on a peace officer
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Domestic assault and felony domestic assault
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Assault with alleged bodily harm
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Strangulation allegations
Each category carries different legal standards, evidentiary burdens, and trial risks.
Credibility and evidence matter more than accusations.
Assault cases often hinge on:
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Who said what and when
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Whether injuries are documented or exaggerated
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Whether body-camera footage supports or contradicts reports
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Whether officers or witnesses were actually in a position to observe what they claim
Police reports are not evidence. They are allegations. Bodycam footage, medical records, and testimony decide cases.
Body cameras, officer testimony, and reality.
In many felony assault cases—especially those involving law enforcement—the charging decision is driven by officer narratives. Those narratives do not always align with:
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Body-camera footage
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Timing of alleged injuries
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Medical records
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Inconsistencies across reports
These issues are addressed through cross-examination and litigation, not assumptions.
Litigation before resolution.
Some cases resolve. Others go to trial. But assault cases should not be evaluated based solely on:
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Initial charging decisions
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Pressure to resolve early
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Fear-based assumptions about jury reactions
A meaningful defense involves:
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Careful evidence review
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Challenging injury claims
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Testing credibility
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Strategic suppression where applicable
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Preparing the case as if trial is possible
That preparation creates leverage.