Straight answers to honest questions.

Yes. Even a misdemeanor stays on your record, can affect employment, immigration, gun rights, and your insurance premiums. It is also far cheaper to fight it correctly the first time than to clean it up later.

Politely decline to answer questions, ask for an attorney, and call us as soon as you can. Do not consent to any searches. Do not try to talk your way out of the charge — anything you say will be used against you.

We often have same-day or next-day appointments. If your matter is urgent — for example, an arrest, a search warrant, or a bond hearing — call either office immediately and tell the receptionist it's an emergency.

Sometimes, yes. The traffic stop, the field sobriety tests, the implied consent advisory, the breath or blood draw — each is a place the State can lose if not done correctly. The first job is finding the leverage in your file.

It depends on weight, distribution, and any cross-border or firearm involvement. If federal indictment is possible, you want representation experienced in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota — we are.

Sometimes a plea is the right move. Sometimes the State's first offer is far worse than what you can get after motion practice or trial preparation. We never accept the first offer without evaluating your leverage.

If someone else's negligence caused you serious injury, you likely have a claim. The strongest cases involve clear liability, documented medical treatment, and provable losses. The first call costs nothing — we'll tell you straight.

Most personal injury claims in South Dakota must be filed within three years of the injury. Some claims have shorter notice requirements (especially against government entities). Don't wait — call promptly.

South Dakota uses a slight/gross comparative negligence rule. You can still recover if your fault was slight compared to the defendant's. This is a fact-driven analysis — we'll go through it with you.

Most initial consultations are free. We'll confirm cost up front before scheduling. There's no obligation to hire us after meeting.

Criminal cases are typically flat fee, by stage. Personal injury cases are typically contingency — you pay nothing unless we recover. Civil litigation may be hourly or hybrid. We always quote in writing and explain the structure before any work begins.

In appropriate cases, yes. We try to make qualified representation accessible without compromising the work.