Jennifer Congdon | Saint Paul Criminal Lawyer

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
In the last six months I have taken 4 cases to trial. I got Not Guilty verdicts for my clients in 3/4 of those cases. In the last couple of years, I have had several cases dismissed before trial. Receiving not guilty verdicts or having a case dismissed is the best outcome for a client because they can move on with their lives without the cloud of a conviction following them.

How did you build a successful practice?
My practice has been successful because I take the time to do a thorough initial consultation with each client, focusing on their goals and desired outcomes. I am very responsive to clients as the case progresses and always explain their options in terms they can understand - no legalese.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
Clients should look for someone they feel comfortable talking with. I often have to have very frank discussions with my clients about uncomfortable topics, and if they don’t feel comfortable with me talking about benign things, we won’t be able to have a productive discussion about the serious stuff either. The client should also know who they are hiring. Sometimes, when a client hires a firm, they may meet with one lawyer, but another lawyer does the work. The client should know that upfront and feel comfortable with everyone working on the case.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
Knowledge of local practices and prosecutors helps a lot with cases. Having a baseline relationship with prosecutors helps me to achieve positive resolutions for my clients.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
During a free phone consultation, I will discuss the particular charges a client is facing including the level of charge and potential penalties. We will discuss the client’s assessment of what happened (or didn’t happen) and begin to discuss a strategy for defending against the charges. I will also discuss my fee and what it includes.

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
For an initial consultation to be productive, I need to know the charges the client has against them. This information can be found on a citation or complaint from the court. If the client does not have this information, our conversation will be more general and limited to the information they do have.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
I am different from most lawyers because I have handled cases on all levels of charges from petty traffic offenses, to misdemeanors, all the way up to drug crimes, sex crimes, and manslaughter. Most lawyers don’t get the opportunity to handle such a wide variety of offenses so early on in their career. I also speak Spanish, so I am able to communicate directly clients other lawyers would need an interpreter to speak with.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Every client that comes to me with a legal issue is under stress. I find it very rewarding to be able to explain the criminal court process to them and to relieve some of the stress they are feeling. Just knowing someone is on your side and fighting for you is a major relief to my clients.

What are your other interests in addition to law?
When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time at the gym. My interests vary from weightlifting to yoga.

Are you involved in your community?
I am involved in various legal organizations that keep me up to date on new developments in the law as well as provide an opportunity to do pro bono legal work.