AVAILABLE 24/7 - FREE CONSULTATION

952.945.7824

Our Legal Team

Who We Are

If you retain me as your lawyer, I will listen to you and treat you as a valued client, not just another case. You will understand the elements of the case. I will keep you informed of developments and respond to your calls and emails promptly.
Free Consultation
Who We Are

Our Legal Team

I am Justin Schiks, a criminal defense attorney who is dedicated to helping people who have been accused of a crime. I am ably assisted in my law practice by Molli Meyer, an experienced paralegal. To learn more about our backgrounds, please follow the links below.


Attorney Justin Schiks

Attorney Justin M. Schicks

Justin Schicks

View Profile


Paralegal Molli Meyer

Mrs. Molly Meyer

Molly Meyer

View Profile


Experienced, Effective Criminal Defense Lawyer in the Twin Cities

When you are charged with a crime, your world can seem to fall apart. Suddenly, you are no longer in control of your life. A confusing court process will determine your future.

Guiding You Through the Process

I will guide you through the legal process and set your feet back on solid ground. I am criminal defense attorney Justin Schiks. I represent those charged with crimes in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and throughout Minnesota. Whether you are facing your first criminal charge or have been arrested multiple times in the past, you can rely on me for effective legal representation and an aggressive defense.

Named as a Top Trial Lawyer

I am an experienced criminal defense attorney with over a decade of experience. Since 2014, I have been selected to the National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers. The members of this prestigious invitation-only organization are selected as the top trial lawyers in their state and exemplify superior qualities of leadership, influence, positive results, reputation, and statute. Through my experience and recognition, I have gained the respect of prosecutors, judges and other attorneys.

The Kind of Service You Expect

Clients appreciate the personal service I provide as well as the results I achieve for them. If you retain me as your lawyer, I will listen to you and treat you as a valued client, not just another case. You will understand the elements of the case. I will keep you informed of developments and respond to your calls and emails promptly. I am available to meet you at my office in Woodbury, Edina or Roseville. Additionally, if you are unable to meet at my office or are calling on behalf of a loved one, I can meet them in jail or in the hospital. Our firm is available 24/7 for phone consultations. I will listen carefully to the description of the events, outline legal options available to you or a loved one and describe how I can help minimize the affects this case can have on daily life and future endeavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony crime,  you will need a good criminal defense lawyer to help with your case. To  qualify as a quality legal representative, an attorney should be  well-versed in state and local laws. In this case, it means having a  thorough understanding of Minnesota and Woodbury laws and statutes. A  good criminal lawyer will take the time to listen to your side of the  story. They will also approach a case based on the evidence and without  making any judgments based on a defendant’s perceived character.  Finally, a good attorney will allow the defendant to have control of how  the case proceeds. This means that they get to decide whether to take a  plea deal, testify at trial or make other important decisions. While an  attorney may not agree with those decisions and will advise as such,  the best ones respect whatever choices a client makes.
Read More: What Does A Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

After someone has been arrested, there are various  procedures that follow. First, their case will be given to the proper  prosecutor’s office where a decision of what charges -if any- will be  filed. A prosecutor isn’t bound by the initial charge decision, they may  change it later if more evidence is obtained. Please note that they  also have the right to a speedy trial. In Minnesota, this means that  they have to be tried within 120 days of pleading not guilty or within  60 days of demanding a trial. After that, is their arraignment. During  the arraignment, the judge will read the defendant’s charges, ask the  defendant if they have an attorney or needs the assistance of a  court-appointed attorney, ask the defendant how they plead to the  charges, decides whether to alter the bail amount or to release the  defendant on their own recognizance and finally announce the dates of  future proceedings in the case. They may be able to get out of jail  after their arrest and before the trial by posting bail. Posting bail is  the process of giving the court money to ensure that they’ll make an  appearance at future dates. If they do, the court refunds the money. If  they don’t, the court will keep it and be able to issue a warrant for  your arrest.
Read More: What Happens When You Get Arrested?

Being arrested is serious, and if the police want to  speak with you after you have been arrested it is important that you  understand your rights. You have certain constitutional rights that  protect you when you are arrested by the police. Among these rights are:  (1) the right to remain silent, and (2) the right to speak with an  attorney. If you choose to give up these rights, anything you say could  potentially be used against you in legal proceedings. In contrast,  anything that you say to a lawyer is protected by the attorney-client  privilege and cannot be discovered by law enforcement or used against  you. When you are arrested, it is impossible to know what evidence law  enforcement currently has or what evidence they might develop in your  case. It is permissible for law enforcement to lie to you during  questioning and use other interrogation methods to influence your  statements. In addition, you will likely be under emotional stress due  to the arrest. If you are arrested, you should assert your  constitutional rights. Remain silent. Do not talk to the police. Request  to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can protect  you and give you the advice you need.
Read More: Do I Have To Answer Police Questions?

After being charged with a crime you will face an  arraignment, which is also known as the first appearance. This first  stage of the criminal process is to ensure that your constitutional  rights are met. The charges and consequences you are facing are  explained in detail. This process was initially put in place for  individuals with literacy issues, comprehension, and language barriers.  Prosecutors are usually known to encourage most defendants to plead  guilty for less jail time or in accordance with the statistics of like  crimes. You must keep in mind that the prosecution works on behalf of  Minnesota state and not the defendant. Guilty pleas close their cases  automatically. The defendant is the one that either benefits or suffers  from their plea. It is imperative that you make your plea in accordance  with the charges and evidence presented against you. Obtaining legal  representation may be the best way to ensure your due process. During  this first appearance, a public defender will be assigned to you if you  cannot afford to retain private legal services.
Read More: What Does An Arraignment Mean?

A pretrial conference is a meeting that is held usually  about 30 days before the trial between the plaintiff, judge, prosecutor,  and defense counsel. This meeting is the perfect platform to ensure  that all evidence, charges, witnesses, and motions are legitimate. On  some occasions, there is sufficient evidence presented to drop the case  or acquire a conviction. Plea bargaining may come into play at this  point based on what is discussed. Other parties may also be invited to  this preliminary meeting as well at the discretion of the judge.  Deadlines are set in place for the discovery process, serving or filing  motions, plea bargaining, and trial proceedings. There are times when a  judge may schedule another pretrial conference before determining  whether a trial is necessary. Avoiding having to go to trial may or may  not be in your best interest. You want to make sure that your defense  team diligently seeks ways to decrease criminal punishment or discredits  the evidence brought against you altogether. The decision to go to  court should be one based on facts and in accordance with Minnesota law.
Read More: What Is A Pretrial Conference In A Criminal Case?

There is a common misconception that if the complaining party in a criminal case does not want to cooperate with the prosecution or does not want to continue to press charges then the case will be dismissed. In reality, once someone complains to law enforcement, they have no ability to control how the case will proceed through the criminal justice system. Ultimately, it will be up to the County Attorney or City Prosecutor to determine whether a criminal case will proceed. Some complaining parties believe they can stop a prosecution from going forward by refusing to testify. What these people do not understand is that the County Attorneys and City Prosecutors have the ability to compel witness testimony through the subpoena process. If a witness disobeys a subpoena and refuses to testify, they can face serious consequences including fines and jail time. Rather than try to manipulate the outcome of a criminal case by refusing to cooperate or trying to drop charges, one should seek the advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney. By working within the system through an experienced attorney, you will have a greater chance of achieving your goal and having the charges dismissed.

Read more: Can You Drop Charges Against Someone Before Court?

Free Evaluation

Take the first step to protect your future. Tell us about your case to receive a free and confidential consultation.

Aggressive, Personalized defense

At JS Defense, you are not just one of the many. We pride ourselves on our availability for our clients. Our firm is regionally and nationally recognized in the legal community as delivering an aggressive defense for each and every client, no matter how serious the case. If it matters to you, it matters to us!

Request A Free Case Evaluation

Explain your case to receive a free and confidential initial case evaluation. We are available 24/7 so you can get the help you need quickly.