Results

Kelly’s client retained her on a preliminary basis during his initial investigation relating to an alleged sexual assault and continued the retainer once he was charged with Fifth Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct in Hennepin County. Over the course of two years, Kelly battled the prosecutor over such issues as the refusal to turn over evidence related to a prior allegation made by the same girl, and whether the girl’s past conduct was then admissible at trial, bringing and winning numerous challenges. Finally, at trial, Kelly skillfully presented the evidence and questioned sixteen different witnesses in order to demonstrate her client’s innocence. The result was a finding of not guilty for Kelly’s client, allowing him to move on with his life.

Kelly’s client was convicted of Domestic Assault – Fear in Mille Lacs County in 2003 after he grabbed his keys from his girlfriend while drunk during an argument. The conviction didn’t affect her client for many years as he had stable, long-term employment. However, in 2019, he left that employer to start his own business. While his business is successful, he hoped to fill in some downtime with occasional contract work for his former employer. However, they said they were unable to re-hire him as a result of the assault conviction, which they discovered pursuant to the re-hire process. Kelly convinced the judge that her client had rehabilitated, granting the expungement. Kelly’s client can now freely pursue job opportunities without the concern this offense will be discovered on a background check.

Kelly’s client was charged with Felony Fifth Degree Possession in Ramsey County after police found a trace substance of methamphetamine during a traffic stop. Despite the passage of over 16 years and many personal and educational successes, he came to Kelly after being turned down for countless higher-level positions for which he was well qualified after they had run a background check. Kelly was able to convince the judge that her client was rehabilitated, and the expungement was granted. Kelly’s client now plans to complete a specialist higher-education program and apply for positions free of his past criminal record.

When Kelly Keegan’s client was 14 and in eighth grade, he punched another kid in the school lunchroom, giving him a concussion. He was subsequently charged and adjudicated delinquent (the juvenile version of a conviction) of Felony Third Degree Assault in Ramsey County, which led to a lifetime loss of gun rights. Her client’s grandfather owns 40 acres of land and he grew up hunting with his entire family, and sorely missed his gun rights as he aged and matured. Finally, he approached Kelly for help. Kelly argued in court that there was ‘good cause’ to restore her client’s rights, and the judge agreed, restoring her client’s rights so that he can now hunt again with his family.

Kelly Keegan’s client retained her after having a permit to purchase denied due to a 2004 conviction of Felony Third Degree Burglary in Dakota County. As this charge was considered a crime of violence under Minnesota State law at the time, he became subject to a lifetime ban on possessing firearms. Although the Minnesota Supreme Court determined in 2020 that the Minnesota Legislature intended through subsequent amendments to the law to remove this offense from the list of crimes of violence, a judicial order is still needed for the federal government to recognize restoration under federal law. Kelly was able to obtain a judge’s order that her client’s rights were restored to pave the way with the federal government National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) so her client can receive his permit to carry and purchase firearms without denial or delay.