I am one of the founding partners North Star Criminal Defense. I represent clients facing criminal charges throughout the State of Minnesota, including but not limited to, DUIs, Expungements, Assaults, Domestic Assaults, Thefts, Shoplifting, Weapons Charges, Criminal Vehicular Operation, Damage to Property, Drug Crimes, Misdemeanors, Gross Misdemeanors, Felonies, Traffic Violations, Probation Violations, and Vehicle Forfeitures. My approach to each client is threefold: (1) I develop a personalized legal strategy that accounts for both the criminal and collateral consequences each client faces; (2) I am Not Always Minnesota Nice when fighting for my clients; and (3) I am prepared to take the case to trial if necessary.
I focus part of my practice on expungements and helping petitioners get the second chance they deserve. To this end, I am a volunteer expungements attorney at a number of organizations. And I developed and maintain www.mnexpungements.com as a one-stop site for individuals looking to learn more about the new expungements law.
I am a volunteer for the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, where I volunteer at monthly walk-in clinics and the annual StandDown Event - a two day event where more than a thousand veterans were served. I also volunteer for the Hennepin County Bar Association at the Legal Access Point walk-in clinics at the Government Center.
I am an active member in the Minnesota State Bar Association - Criminal Law and Solo/Small Firm sections. And I am a member of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Please visit the firm site at www.northstarcriminaldefense.com to learn more about what we can do for you. And you can contact me at 952-843-8766 or [email protected]
Practice areas
7 years
7 years
7 years
7 years
7 years
Languages spoken
English
North Star Criminal Defense
370 Selby Ave., Suite 207
Saint Paul, MN, 55102
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
MN | Authorized to Practice | 2008 | 05/21/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
North Star Lawyer | MSBA | 2015 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2015 |
Up and Coming Attorney | Minnesota Lawyer | 2015 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | North Star Criminal Defense | 2015 - Present |
Founder and President | Gempeler Law, PLLC | 2014 - 2015 |
Associate | Thomsen Nybeck, P.A. | 2011 - 2014 |
Associate | Foley & Mansfield | 2008 - 2011 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
MSBA | Solo/Small Firm Council member | 2015 - Present |
MSBA | Criminal Law Council member | 2014 - Present |
Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | 2014 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Bench & Bar Magazine | Smart Phones, Dumb Driving, and the Law | 2016 |
www.epilawg.com | What to Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket | 2015 |
Bench & Bar of Minnesota | Expungement Revisited: Minnesota's New Second Chance Law | 2014 |
www.epilawg.com | Getting Your Second Chance: Expungements | 2014 |
Plymouth Sun Sailor | Expungement Law Change to Offer More Second Chances | 2014 |
Champlin-Dayton Press | Expungement Law Affects Those With Criminal Past | 2014 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
William Mitchell College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2008 |
Gustavus Adolphus College | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2005 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Monthly Meeting | Expungements | 2015 |
Minnesota State Bar Association, Military Law Committee | Criminal Expungements | 2015 |
11th Annual CLE | Expungement Law Update | 2015 |
Everything But the Trial School | Expungement Law Update | 2015 |
On Demand Series | Criminal Expungements | 2015 |
West Metro CLE | Expungement Law Update | 2014 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
State v. D.M. | Dismissed |
State v. J.P. | Careless Driving |
State v. J.H. | Petty misdemeanor on a felony charge |
State v. C.W. | Continuance for a Dismissal |
State v. B.M. | Continuance for a Dismissal |
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Robert Ambrose, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 13, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Nathan Knoernschild, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 6, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
James does a great job protecting his clients and looking out for their interests.
Benjamin Wagner, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 16, 2015
Relationship: Friend
James works hard to defend his clients. He is not afraid of a fight and will zealously advocate for a favorable result.