Thomas C Gallagher

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.

• Criminal Law
• Cannabis & Marijuana Law
• White Collar Crime
• Juvenile Law
• DUI & DWI
• Domestic Violence

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted

Minnesota

Since 1988

Trial Lawyer

Gallagher Criminal Defense

1993 - Current

Criminal defense services for clients charged with crimes in Minnesota state and federal courts.

Associate Attorney

Cloutier & Musech

1988 - 1993

Criminal defense for firm's clients, as well as personal injury and other civil litigation.

University of Minnesota Law School

J.D. | Law

1984 - 1988

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

B.A. | Psychology

1978 - 1983

Minnesota Norml

Director - Board of Directors

2011 - 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.

Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice

Member

2000 - 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.

Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

1995 - Current

Activities: Member of the largest criminal defense bar association in Minnesota, working together to protect the rights of Minnesotans.

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

1995 - Current

Activities: Member of the largest criminal defense bar association in the United States, championing the cause of the People.

NORML Legal Committee

Member

1995 - 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.

Minnesota State Bar Association, Criminal Law Section

Member

1988 - Current

Minnesota Norml

Chair, Board of Directors

2017 - 2018

Activities: Elected Chair 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.

Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission

Commissioner

2011 - 2017

Activities: We adjudicate civil rights complaints in Minneapolis, and work to advance the cause of human rights in Minneapolis.

Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice

President

2010 - 2011

Activities: Served as President of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, the oldest criminal defense bar association in Minnesota.

Hennepin County Bar Association, The Hennepin Lawyer Editorial Committee

Member of Editorial Committee

1989 - 2004

Minnesota State Bar Association

Board of Governors

1995 - 2001

Activities: Governing Board of the Minnesota State Bar Association.

Hennepin County Bar Association, Criminal Law Section

Chair of Criminal Law Section

1995 - 1999

Q. Can someone be asked to take a ua the first court date on a 5th degree posession charge if they weren't arrested for it

15 October 2019

A: Yes. But in Minnesota we have a Constitutional right to pretrial release without conditions other than money bail. Most judges today will set both a "conditional bail" and an "unconditional bail" amount. Some forget to set the unconditional bail, but will upon request. Your defense attorney should be able to help you with this. Or give me a call.

Q. can I sue someone in another state?

14 October 2019

A: That is not a criminal law question. A civil lawsuit is not a criminal case.

Q. So my friend is from out of state and she got a citation, however, the officer never told her what she owed nor did the

10 October 2019

A: No. In Minnesota a police officer giving a traffic citation to a driver is not required to tell the driver the amount of the fine; nor is the citation required to state that amount. However, the driver can learn that information online on the court's website or by calling or visiting the court. Of course, I recommend fighting most citations rather than getting a conviction by paying the fine.

Q. Accused of theft

5 October 2019

A: It's important to avoid a public conviction record, for employment as well as other reasons. Do not speak with police again. Avoid them if possible. If approached by police, tell them you have absolutely nothing to say, you will remain silent and want to consult an attorney. Then remain silent, no matter what. You'll need a good criminal defense lawyer. Your welcome to review my content rich website for more information. Or, just call me (or another criminal defense lawyer) for a phone consult to start.

Q. Can you explain this in basketball terms? Obstruct Legal Process-Lawful Execution Legal Process

3 October 2019

A: It would be tough. I know criminal law better than basketball. And some context might help too. The most common fact pattern I see for that charge is someone being aggressively arrested who flinches or pulls away from a painful application of force by an amped up police officer.

Q. What does Case type Crim/Traf Non-Mand mean on a traffic ticket.

1 October 2019

A: Without the benefit of seeing it, that sounds like a misdemeanor offense on the court's list of "payable offenses." A defendant charged with a misdemeanor on the Minnesota court's "payable offenses" can pay the fine without going to court, and so end up with a petty misdemeanor conviction. But, there would then be a public conviction record. Also, some "payable" misdemeanors can have collateral consequences. For example, a "marijuana in a motor vehicle, more than 1.4 grams" triggers a drivers license record and license revocation. Many choose to go to court to prevent a conviction.

Q. Should I hire an attorney for a Traffic misdemeanor citation received for not Yielding to pedestrian

1 October 2019

A: When a police officer issues a traffic citation without a traffic stop, there will generally be a lack of proof of identity of the driver. This is so, even when they have an ID on the vehicle plate. When the police officer calls on the phone, their goal is to get a person to admit that they were the driver of that vehicle at that time. If they get that admission, they may have the driver identity problem covered. But of course there are other defenses as well. Most people have a goal of keeping a traffic ticket off of their driver's license record. To do that, you must go to court and try to get an outcome that will not result in a "conviction." A lawyer will be a big help, but cost some money. You may wish to call me or another lawyer to discuss.

Q. Signed my brother out of juvenile court if he gets in trouble am i legally responsible for him?

29 September 2019

A: You are responsible for your actions. As long as you are not part of a plan to commit a crime, and avoid committing a crime with another, there is little more you can do to avoid trouble.

Q. Does any citation to court requeires for a lawyer support?

25 September 2019

A: Most people would want to avoid a conviction, to keep their public record clean. A conviction for this offense (by pleading guilty) would not only be a public court record of conviction, it would also go on the driver's license record. That in turn could cause driver's license problems, insurance increases, and impact some types of employment. Though you can go to court without a lawyer, having your own defense attorney gives you an advantage, and a better chance of a successful outcome.