Former Highway Patrol Trooper To Plead In Sex Assault Case

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A former high-ranking North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper accused of sexual assault has agreed to a plea deal.

Steven Johnson was charged in November with misdemeanor sexual assault after a woman accused of him of touching her inappropriately while she was sleeping during a December 2020 party. He was a regional commander at the time. His attorney, Chris Redmann, has said the charges were brought by someone with a grudge against Johnson.

Johnson’s trial was set to begin Tuesday. The Bismarck Tribune reported Friday that Johnson has agreed to enter an Alford plea to a disorderly conduct charge in a deal with prosecutors. Defendants who enter Alford pleas essentially accept punishment but maintain they’re innocent. Courts treat them as guilty pleas, however.

Prosecutors in exchange agreed to keep the offense off Johnson’s record if successfully completes probation.

Legal expert weighs in on deadly shooting of Mapleton man by officers

By Bailey Hurley MAPLETON, N.D. (Valley News Live) - One legal expert and former police officer is weighing in on what’s next in the long review process of Monday’s shooting by four Fargo officers which killed a Mapleton man. The four officers have been placed on paid...

Major ruling leaves questions for tribal-land prosecutions in North Dakota

By Jack Dura Tribal nations sharing geography with North Dakota are watching for how the state will handle certain prosecutions after a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling impacting jurisdiction. The court ruled 5-4 in June that Oklahoma can prosecute non-Native Americans...

Fired police sergeant reaches settlement with Bismarck; amount not immediately disclosed

Parties have reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit brought by a former Bismarck police sergeant who alleged gender discrimination and wrongful termination against the department and its former chief. The agreement between Robyn Krile and the Bismarck Police...

What’s a Giglio file? Police Officer Credibility & Your Rights.

Prosecutors, Police, and Defense Attorneys often talk about a "Giglio File" or a particular officer having "Giglio Issues." The term "Giglio," pronounced gig-leo, comes from the landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150 (1972) and Brady...

Measure 6: Best Interests of the Child vs. Rights of the Parent?

Measure 6 is a current initiative, which if approved, would create a legal presumption that each parent in a child custody case is fit to parent and that a requesting parent should receive equal residential responsibility. That artificial presumption of fitness as a...

What to Expect When You’re Suspected of DUI

Most DUI arrests are the product of a police traffic stop. Police need "reasonable suspicion" of a violation to stop or detain you; even the smallest violation will allow the police to stop you. For example, around "bar close" many officers in Bismarck, Mandan, and...

The DOT Work Permit

If your license is suspended, all is not lost. Most people are eligible for a work permit (aka restricted license) after 14 days of hard suspension if you’re on 24/7. If you’re not on 24/7 you’re usually eligible for a work permit on a 1st DUI/Refusal offense within...

“A New Age Of Searching Student Cell Phones?”

North Dakota: The current state of cell phone searches in the school setting post-Riley SCHOOL OFFICIALS School searches by administrators must meet a two-part test. First, the search must be justified by reasonable suspicion at its inception. Second, the search must...

Attorney Methodology

Every case begins with a thorough client interview and consultation during which case goals, expectations, and rapport is established. The next step is the investigation stage as the best defense is a great offense. Every possible document, video, note, report, and...

North Dakota Weapons Laws: A Primer

Residents of North Dakota are huge believers in gun rights and their right to bear arms. As a North Dakota resident, our state generally does allow you to possess weapons open and concealed; however, there are guidelines which must be adhered to which may prevent you...

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