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Thomas C Gallagher
Gallagher Criminal Defense
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Biography
Minneapolis criminal lawyer Thomas C Gallagher fights for you and your Liberty in Minnesota state and federal courts, and has for over 30 years. His practice is limited to criminal defense.
Practice Areas
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- Cannabis & Marijuana Law
- Marijuana Business Formation, Medical Marijuana
- White Collar Crime
- Juvenile Law
- DUI & DWI
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
Fees
- Free Consultation
- Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Minnesota
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Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
- Trial Lawyer
- Gallagher Criminal Defense
- - Current
- Criminal defense services for clients charged with crimes in Minnesota state and federal courts.
- Associate Attorney
- Cloutier & Musech
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- Criminal defense for firm's clients, as well as personal injury and other civil litigation.
Education
- University of Minnesota Law School
- J.D. | Law
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- University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
- B.A. | Psychology
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Professional Associations
- Minnesota NORML
- Director - Board of Directors
- - Current
- Activities: Founding members of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota state chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. We work for the legalization of marijuana in Minnesota.
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- Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Membership limited to fifty criminal defense lawyers, voted in by existing membership. Members work together to lead the way towards criminal justice in Minnesota courts.
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- Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Member
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- Activities: Member of the largest criminal defense bar association in Minnesota, working together to protect the rights of Minnesotans.
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- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Member of the largest criminal defense bar association in the United States, championing the cause of the People.
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- NORML Legal Committee
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Member of the Norml Legal Committee. (Legal Committee of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.) We share information and insights helpful in defending those charged with marijuana crimes, and work on legalization efforts.
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Videos
Legal Answers
700 Questions Answered
- Q. What kind of proof does the court need to charge someone with assault aside from hearsay?
- A: The state will have a difficult time getting a conviction on hearsay only. Normally the prosecutor will have at least one witness to testify that a crime did happen and the defendant did it. Pretrial evidentiary issues are less common in most assault cases, compared to other types of criminal cases. If the prosecutor is unwilling to agree to a fair and just resolution of the case, the defendant's can force the prosecution to attempt to produce persuasive evidence at a jury trial. The jury trial is often the most powerful protection of the accused.
- Q. I need a texting while driving ticket off my record for job purposes
- A: You can download this form form the Minnesota Courts website: Forms Packet: Ask to Withdraw Guilty Plea and Vacate Conviction (Petty Misdemeanor) You can use it to request a hearing on your motion to reopen the petty misdemeanor case. At the hearing, you can talk to the prosecutor to see if they will offer a resolution to replace the conviction and "certification to the drivers license record. If so, the judge will likely approve it. If not, you can ask the judge to grant your written motion to reopen. Then the case can be set for a trial. You should have some good, legal, reasons ready. for the judge when they inquire.
- Q. I got caught shoplifting and got a citation. Does this mean I will be charged or just pay a fee?
- A: A "citation" typically refers to a Minnesota "uniform citation," issued by police in lieu of an arrest, as a Summons to court on a tab charge. Most are for petty misdemeanors or "payable" misdemeanors (meaning the court will accept a guilty plea by payment of fine without appearance). But some pay require a court appearance. If in doubt, a call to the Court Administrator could resolve any doubt, and may be an opportunity to schedule a court appearance. Most people don't want a public record for theft, even if it were labeled a petty (unlikely). To avoid a conviction record, one would need to go to court appearance(s) and attempt to resolve the case in a way to prevent a conviction. A private, or public, defender, would be a helpful in that effort.
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