Results

When Kelly Keegan’s client was 17 he set fire to a Dakota Sheriff squad car with two friends and was subsequently adjudicated delinquent (the juvenile version of a conviction) of Aiding and Abetting Felony Second Degree Arson, leading to a lifetime ban on possessing firearms. Her client went on to be successful in life, regretting what he’d done and doing his best to put it behind him. As an avid outdoorsman and owner of a small hobby farm, he wanted to be able to protect his animals from harm, so he came to Kelly to restore his right to possess firearms. Kelly convincingly argued her client was rehabilitated and the judge agreed, restoring her client’s rights so he could be a whole citizen with the same rights and privileges as others.

Kelly’s client came to her mystified as to why he was being denied or put on delay when trying to purchase a gun. After considering the various possibilities, Kelly determined that his Bureau of Criminal Apprehension record was incorrect, namely that it contained an Identification for Firearm Sales (IFFS) Flag indicating he was subject to a lifetime firearm prohibition, when in fact he had only been prohibited for 10 years and that prohibition had expired, requiring removal of the flag. Kelly notified the BCA of their mistake and provided them with court documentation to support her arguments. The BCA agreed and removed the IFFS Flag, meaning that her client can now purchase firearms without being delayed or having his purchase denied.

Kelly Keegan’s client was convicted of Felony Second Degree Assault in Ramsey County in 2004 for an incident in a bar in which he stabbed another man, leading to a lifetime prohibition on possessing firearms. He retained Kelly once he realized his loss of rights was affecting his life plans as well as the rights of his loved ones. Despite vigorous opposition from the prosecutor, Kelly successfully argued her client had rehabilitated so that her client may now fulfill his dreams, including living together with his girlfriend, who possesses a firearm, and attending wilderness church camps.

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 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.