Results

When Kelly’s client was in high school his family fell on hard times. He had always been a ‘good kid’ but began to act out when they lost their house. He was ultimately convicted at the age of 18 in Ramsey County of Felony Aiding and Abetting Second Degree Burglary for entering a neighbor’s garage with two friends with the intent to steal some items to pawn. This led to a lifetime ban on possessing firearms. Since that time, Kelly’s client has made tremendous progress in moving beyond those difficult times: he went back and graduated from high school, became sober, and became an expert in swiss machining through higher education. The judge agreed with Kelly’s forceful argument that her client had reformed, restoring his gun rights. Kelly’s client now enjoys all the rights and privileges of any other citizen and can deer hunt with his family on family-owned land in Northern Minnesota.

Kelly’s client came to her after being denied a permit to carry a concealed weapon as a result of an old misdemeanor Fifth Degree Domestic Assault conviction. Kelly reviewed her client’s records and found that the type of assault he was charged with involved fear of causing physical harm and not actual physical harm, and was thus not a lifetime ‘prohibiting offense’ under Federal law. Kelly wrote a letter to the sheriff pointing out their mistake. To their credit, they immediately admitted the mistake and issued a permit to carry to Kelly’s client.

Kelly’s client came to her for help after being threatened by political foes over old convictions in Dakota County for Check Forgery and Felony Theft, as well as an old conviction in Hennepin County for False Information to a Peace Officer. While Kelly’s client is open about the past, the client had since gone on to a prominent career in politics and was concerned that leaving the court records public exposed details of the offenses after she was contacted by political opponents with threats to thwart re-election. Kelly convincingly argued to the judges that her client had rehabilitated. The judges agreed, granting expungements of these cases so that Kelly’s client can continue a successful career without fear of dirty politics.  

Kelly’s client, a registered nurse, was accused of diverting narcotics by her employer and fired from her position. To avoid possible criminal prosecution, she entered into an agreement with the Minnesota Board of Nursing with requirements she was to follow during the suspension and reinstatement of her license. Despite abiding by the requirements and being able to again practice with a valid license, she kept losing jobs due to background studies performed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. She also had numerous job offers withdrawn after background studies were performed and she was not able to pass. Kelly brought an expungement motion for her client in Ramsey County to have these records sealed and to override the disqualification with the Department of Human Services. Despite opposition from the Nursing Board and the State Attorney General, Kelly was able to convince the judge to grant the expungement to achieve her client’s goals. As a result, her client can now pass background studies and work in jobs of her choice in nursing.

Kelly Keegan’s client retained her after having a permit to purchase denied due to a 1992 conviction of Felony Third Degree Burglary in Anoka County. As this charge was considered a crime of violence under Minnesota State law at the time her client was released from probation, 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 was still needed to update Federal records. Kelly was able to obtain the appropriate paperwork showing her client’s rights were restored and then 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.