Criminal defense
Front Page PioneerPress article on
bogus leins case prosecuted by Ms. Casanova
Jennifer Casanova can bring you years of experience from both sides of the courtroom. As a seasoned prosecutor, she handled everything from traffic offenses to criminal sexual misconduct to large fraud cases. As a defense attorney, she has helped her clients resolve cases ranging from domestic assault to homicide.
A high-profile case (defense): Jennifer Casanova represented the first homicide charged by the use of Minneapolis' ShotSpotter system This case was widely reported in the media because of the Minneapolis Police Department touting the use of their ShotSpotter technology in what was their first homicide apprehension as a result of using this system. The City of Minneapolis threw everything it had at this case, as any kind of conviction meant it could justify the expense of the ShotSpotter system. The case was also unusual in that it pitted family members against each other as the state’s star witness testified that it was his nephew who shot the victim. While the defendant was finally found guilty of a lesser crime, the jury acquitted him of first-degree premeditated murder. Read more about this case here.
A high-profile case (prosecution): Casanova was the first attorney in Minnesota to prosecute defendants who victimized judges and court administrators by filing false liens. She became the pseudo "State Expert" on these crimes while in the district attorneys offices.
Having the right attorney can make a huge difference in someone's life: Casanova represented a mentally handicapped Somali man, who would have been deported if a criminal sexual conduct conviction was not overturned. Experts told Casanova that if he were to return to Somalia, that as a disabled person his treatment would have essentially been a death sentence for him. Casanova successfully pleaded his case, and the District court reversed a sex offense conviction from nine years prior.
Even small cases, can have a huge impact: The consequences for a guilty verdict, no matter how big or small a crime, can be life-altering. An unintentional mistake can sometimes mean the loss of a person's livelihood, especially if they lose a professional license (truckers, doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, etc.) It can mean increased insurance costs, loss of a job, obstacles in child custody cases and more. Be sure to have the right lawyer represent you.
A high-profile case (defense): Jennifer Casanova represented the first homicide charged by the use of Minneapolis' ShotSpotter system This case was widely reported in the media because of the Minneapolis Police Department touting the use of their ShotSpotter technology in what was their first homicide apprehension as a result of using this system. The City of Minneapolis threw everything it had at this case, as any kind of conviction meant it could justify the expense of the ShotSpotter system. The case was also unusual in that it pitted family members against each other as the state’s star witness testified that it was his nephew who shot the victim. While the defendant was finally found guilty of a lesser crime, the jury acquitted him of first-degree premeditated murder. Read more about this case here.
A high-profile case (prosecution): Casanova was the first attorney in Minnesota to prosecute defendants who victimized judges and court administrators by filing false liens. She became the pseudo "State Expert" on these crimes while in the district attorneys offices.
Having the right attorney can make a huge difference in someone's life: Casanova represented a mentally handicapped Somali man, who would have been deported if a criminal sexual conduct conviction was not overturned. Experts told Casanova that if he were to return to Somalia, that as a disabled person his treatment would have essentially been a death sentence for him. Casanova successfully pleaded his case, and the District court reversed a sex offense conviction from nine years prior.
Even small cases, can have a huge impact: The consequences for a guilty verdict, no matter how big or small a crime, can be life-altering. An unintentional mistake can sometimes mean the loss of a person's livelihood, especially if they lose a professional license (truckers, doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, etc.) It can mean increased insurance costs, loss of a job, obstacles in child custody cases and more. Be sure to have the right lawyer represent you.