Anoka County Holds Community Forums on Dangers of Heroin

January 28, 2014  |  Jon P. Erickson

As a criminal lawyer, I have seen first hand the use of drugs and the affects on people’s lives.  In the last year, our team of lawyers has noticed an increase in incidents related to the use of drugs. I read with interest a recent article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune entitled; “Twin Cities heroin, painkiller deaths surged in the first half of 2013.” The article states that the pace of fatal prescription painkiller overdoses has increased as well as an uptick in LSD and meth use. The Criminal Defense Lawyers at BGS have seen a rise in heroin and prescription drug cases that we are hired to defend. Over the years we have seen the rise and fall of the use of certain drugs like cocaine and methamphetamines. Heroin use is now the big problem. There is street heroin, and then the sale and use of prescribed synthetic heroin. Getting Help I believe there is more that family members can do to slow down the use of synthetic/prescribed medications, and the illegal sale of such. The best way is simply to know what medications you have in your cabinet, and to keep a close eye on them. If you are done using them, we recommend that you discard them appropriately (check with…

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Developers and Builders Beware: Tips From an Association Attorney

January 20, 2014  |  Timothy D. Erb

In 1994, the Minnesota Legislature adopted Minnesota Statutes Chapter 515B, the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act (often referred to as “MCIOA” or “Chapter 515B”). Chapter 515B governs most townhome and condominium developments created after adoption of the chapter. Chapter 515B requires certain developers and/or builders of a townhome or condominium project to provide to any buyer a disclosure statement when a unit is sold to the buyer. A disclosure statement basically requires disclosure of material matters regarding the development. The disclosure statement has been required since inception of Chapter 515B and is not generally noteworthy or a change to common practice. However, it is noteworthy that due to a recent legislation error, most builders and developers are unaware that they may also be required to provide a disclosure statement even when they are not selling a unit to a buyer. Minnesota Statute Sec. 515B.4-101, formerly stated that when certain developers or builders are not transferring title to real estate but are merely transferring rights called special declarant rights, the developer or builder does not need to provide a disclosure statement. Special declarant rights are rights that are used by developers and builders to ensure that the development can be completed without material interference from the association. However, due to a recent legislative error,…

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Angela Woessner Appointed to Local School's Board of Directors

January 14, 2014  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Angela M. Woessner, a shareholder who concentrates her practice in all areas of commercial real estate law, and graduate of Cretin-Derham Hall, has been appointed to the board of directors of Cretin-Derham Hall for a three year term. Cretin-Derham Hall is a Catholic, co-educational high school, co-sponsored by the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, committed to Christian values and academic excellence in grades nine through twelve. Angela is also a board member of the Cretin-Derham Hall Alumni Association.

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