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.

University of Minnesota Law School

J.D. | Law

1984 - 1988

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

B.A. | Psychology

1978 - 1983

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.

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

Since 1988

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted

Q. Can a person win a dwi case involving drugs if they were profiled? Or if the person did not know they were committing a

October 1, 2024

A: Police are required to have "reasonable, articulable suspicion of criminal activity" or an observed violation of law to justify a traffic stop. If police are "profiling" in a way that lacks that justification, then the stop could be ruled illegal by a judge. If a defendant does not know that an act is criminally prohibited, that is not normally a defense. Crimes do require some level of intent to do an act, which is criminally prohibited by law. Discuss all the facts with a lawyer.

Q. If the state charges you in the mail but the mail is returned and the SOL has passed can they still charge you?

October 1, 2024

A: In criminal cases, the prosecutor must file a charging document (Complaint, Indictment, etc.) before the applicable Statute of Limitations period expires. The date the defendant learned of the criminal charge is not relevant to a Statute of Limitations issue. There may sometimes be, however, other legal defenses related to the passage of time. Discuss these with your lawyer.

Q. How long will a minor in possession of alcohol stay on my record after I pay the fine?

September 20, 2024

A: Normally forever. Exception: expungement possibility. But if the defendant instead sets up a court date and gets a prosecutor to agree to an outcome that will eventually avoid a conviction (Continuance for Dismissal, or Stay of Adjudication), then upon successful completion of the period of the stay, the charge would be dismissed without conviction.