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Charlie Rooney

Charlie Rooney

J.D. from University of St. Thomas, Magna Cum Laude

Former prosecutor for County Attorney’s Office

Clerked for the Chief Judge of Hennepin County

Eric Nelson

Eric Nelson

Attorney of the Year (Minnesota Lawyer 2022)

Named one of the TOP 40 UNDER 40 by the National Trial Lawyers' Association

"Rising Star" from 2004-2013

"Super Lawyer" 2014, 2015 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019

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Debbie Lang

Debbie Lang

Top 100 National Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers' Association

Co-Editor of the Minnesota DWI Deskbook

Super Lawyer (2020-present)

Super Lawyer Rising Star (2012, 2014-2017)

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Dave Risk

Dave Risk

Super Lawyer (2014-present)

Super Lawyer Rising Star (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008-2011)

J.D. William Mitchell College of Law magna cum laude graduate

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Christina Zauhar

Christina Zauhar

Up & Coming Attorney (Minnesota Lawyer 2017)

Super Lawyer Rising Star (2017-present)

Member of Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice (2021-present)

Member of Minnesota Women Lawyers (2012-present)

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Marsh Halberg

Marsh Halberg

Top Six Criminal Defense Attorneys (Mpls/St. Paul Magazine)

Attorney of the Year (Minnesota Lawyer 2011 & 2017)

Super Lawyer (1997-Present)

Co-Editor of the Minnesota DWI Deskbook

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Lucas Dawson

Lucas Dawson

Super Lawyer Rising Star (2017-present)

Human Services Background Study Eligibility Task Force - Remedies Subcommittee Chair 2022

Human Services Background Study Eligibility Task Force Member 2021 - 2022

Requested speaker at Minnesota CLEs

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Zach Graham

Zach Graham

J.D. St. Thomas School of Law, cum laude

Licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin

Achieved successful outcomes for clients in district court and on appeal

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Minnesota Lawyer Blogs

HomePractice AreasBlogs – #metoo

The long reach of #metoo in Minnesota

Criminal sexual conduct is a serious offense at all levels — and always has been. But with the #metoo movement, it has been pushed farther into the public eye. Consequently, more allegations are being made than ever before, often blindsiding those who are accused and making defense work more challening.

Imagine this scenario: Youwent to a party just before your first year of college. You had a little too much to drink, and so did a woman with whom you were flirting. You were both 17.You both engaged some consensual kissing and cuddling, and you moved your hands, touching her inner thigh over her clothes.

She said “no,” and you stopped. You continued kissing, but caught up in the moment, you touch her inner thigh again. She stops you and breaks off the encounter. You go your separate ways.

You finish college and grad school, get a job and settle into your career. And then you get a call from the police – who now want to talk to you about that forgotten incident at the party.

You’re stunned. What did you do wrong? And hasn’t it been too long?

To answer the first question, when you touched her inner thigh after being told “no,” you may have committed fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct. As to the second question, no – it hasn’t been too long.

Minnesota's Statute of Limitation on Sexual Misconduct

If a complaining witness was under 18 years of age at the time of the alleged conduct, Minnesota’s statute of limitations (Minn.Stat. § 628.26(e), (f)) gives prosecutors nine years — or three years after the incident is reported to law enforcement, whichever is later — to bring criminal sexual conduct charges. This means that a complainantwho was under the age of 18 can make allegations at any time.

If acomplaining witness was 18 or older at the time of the alleged offense, the limitations period for fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct is three years — which was the limitations period for all criminal sexual conduct offenses prior to 1984.

Today, charges for more-serious sex crimes — fourth-degree and higher — must be brought within nine years of the date of the offense. However, if physical evidence that can be tested for DNA has been preserved, there is no limitations period: DNA-based allegations can be made at any time.

If you find yourself accused of alleged criminal sexual conduct, an experienced defense attorney— like the lawyers at Halberg Criminal Defense — can help. Halberg Criminal Defense attorneys are available 24-7 — Call us at 612-DEFENSE (612-333-3673).

Contact us for a free consultation

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