Grand Forks, North Dakota · Criminal Defense & Appellate Counsel
When your freedom, your record, or your appeal is on the line.
Serious criminal-defense and appellate counsel in Grand Forks, North Dakota — representing people facing serious charges and attorneys who need an appeal handled with precision.
The work, across the full spectrum of criminal and appellate matters.
§ 02 — Practice
No. 01
Criminal Defense
Whether you are facing a first charge or the most serious felony allegations, the office approaches the matter with preparation, discretion, and a clear understanding of what is at stake — in municipal, district, and federal court, for juveniles and adults alike. Every fact is understood, and every part of the State's case is tested.
DUI & actual physical control
Drug charges
Assault & violent crime
Domestic violence
Theft & property crimes
Federal criminal defense
Juvenile defense
Probation violations
Appeals & post-conviction relief
No. 02
Appellate Practice
Appeals are a separate discipline, and a demanding one. It takes years to learn how to read a record, frame an issue, and write a brief that a reviewing court will act on. Samuel Gereszek has presented more than 100 cases to appellate courts.
As a U.S. Army veteran and the founder of North Dakota's first Veterans Treatment Court, Samuel Gereszek brings firsthand understanding to the issues service members and veterans face — and the courtroom and appellate experience to carry those matters forward.
Veterans Treatment Court experience
Criminal-defense counsel for veterans and service members
Appeals and post-conviction matters
Counsel who has served
The office may also accept select related matters where its courtroom, appellate, or veteran-focused experience is a strong fit.
Appeals — and counsel for the attorneys who refer them.
§ 03 — Appeals
Appeals require judgment about the record, preservation, the standards of review, and the remedy a reviewing court can actually provide.
The office welcomes referrals from trial counsel and can assist with criminal appeals, post-conviction matters, issue review, and appeal-viability consultation — before the North Dakota Supreme Court, the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Criminal appeals
Appellate briefing
Issue-preservation review
Post-conviction relief
Consultation on appeal viability
A referral-friendly process
Counsel with trial, appellate, and service-driven experience.
§ 01 — Counsel
Samuel A. Gereszek · Owner
Samuel A. Gereszek is the owner of Gereszek Law Office, P.L.L.C., in Grand Forks, North Dakota — a U.S. Army veteran and appellate advocate who has presented more than 100 cases to appellate courts, including the North Dakota Supreme Court, the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Admitted 2011
~15 Years in Practice
He earned his J.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law, graduating with distinction, and was admitted to the North Dakota Bar in 2011. A U.S. Army veteran, he founded North Dakota's first Veterans Treatment Court after a six-year effort to create a court-based path for veterans whose service, trauma, addiction, or mental-health challenges intersect with the criminal justice system — work that reflects how he sees the practice: as service to people, not the processing of cases.
His criminal defense practice covers the full spectrum, from a first citation to the most serious felony charges, in municipal, district, and federal courts, for juveniles and adults alike. His appellate practice focuses on careful record review, issue framing, briefing, and advocacy before reviewing courts.
Clients come to the office during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. The work begins with listening carefully, understanding the facts, and building a defense or an appeal with discipline instead of judgment.
He practices with the support of paralegal Michele Michael and legal assistant Courtney Beehler.
Credentials at a Glance
North Dakota Bar No. 07040 — Active
Admitted in North Dakota, 2011
J.D., University of North Dakota School of Law — with distinction
U.S. Army veteran
Founder of North Dakota's First Veterans Treatment Court
100+ cases presented to appellate courts
ND Supreme Court · 8th Circuit · U.S. Supreme Court
Founder · First in North Dakota
Founder of the first Veterans Treatment Court in the State of North Dakota.
U.S. Army Veteran
100+Cases Presented to Appellate Courts
2011Admitted to the North Dakota Bar
3Appellate Courts Where Matters Have Been Presented
#07040North Dakota Bar — Active
The Mission
To provide thorough, comprehensive, and individualized legal representation for each and every client without judgment, prejudice, or condemnation.
Why clients and referring attorneys choose this office.
§ 04 — Standing
i.
Experience at every level
From municipal and district courtrooms to appellate matters before the North Dakota Supreme Court, the Eighth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court, the work has been done before — across more than 100 cases presented to appellate courts and the full range of criminal matters, from minor offenses to the most serious felony charges.
ii.
Representation without judgment
The mission is plain and it is the standard the office holds itself to: thorough, comprehensive, individualized representation for every client, without judgment, prejudice, or condemnation.
iii.
A founder's commitment to service
A U.S. Army veteran and founder of North Dakota's first Veterans Treatment Court, Samuel Gereszek brings a service-minded approach to criminal defense, appeals, and representation of veterans and service members.
iv.
Appellate work other lawyers refer out
Appeals are a specialized practice that takes years to master. Attorneys who need appellate support can refer a matter to counsel experienced in record review, issue preservation, briefing, and appellate advocacy.
What happens after you contact the office.
The Process
1
You reach out
Call or submit the consultation form with a short description of your matter. If the matter is urgent, call directly.
2
The office reviews it
Your message is reviewed, and if the matter is appropriate for the firm, the office contacts you about scheduling a consultation.
3
You talk it through
The attorney reviews the facts, charges, deadlines, and next steps with you — confidentially and without judgment.
4
Representation begins
Representation begins only after a written fee agreement is signed, so the scope and cost are clear from the start.
Questions people ask before they call.
FAQ
What should I do after being charged with a crime in North Dakota?
In general, write down what you remember while it is fresh, avoid discussing the case with anyone but a lawyer, and do not give a statement to police without counsel present. Then speak with a criminal defense attorney before your first court appearance. You can reach the office at (701) 780-9276.
Do I need a lawyer before my first court appearance?
Ideally, yes. Early decisions about statements, bond, and how a case is charged can shape everything that follows. Having counsel before the first appearance protects your options.
Does the office handle appeals from other attorneys' cases?
Yes. The office regularly accepts appellate referrals from trial counsel and welcomes consultations on appeal viability, issue preservation, and post-conviction relief. Referring attorneys can contact the office directly, and e-service may be directed to eserve@gereszek.law.
Can I contact the office about a family member who has been arrested?
Yes. Many people first reach out on behalf of a spouse, parent, or child. Call (701) 780-9276 to explain the situation and learn what the next steps may be.
Does contacting the office create an attorney-client relationship?
No. Contacting the office or submitting the consultation form does not create an attorney-client relationship. That relationship is formed only when a written fee agreement is signed.
Does the firm handle federal criminal matters?
Yes. The office represents clients in federal criminal matters in the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota and on appeal to the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
What information should I bring to a consultation?
Bring any charging documents, citations, or court notices you have received, a list of upcoming dates and deadlines, and a short written timeline of what happened. The more complete the picture, the more useful the first conversation.
Make a Payment — for current clients
Current clients may securely pay an invoice or make a trust/retainer deposit online. Card and eCheck details are entered only through the office's secure payment processor.
If you or someone you care about is facing charges, the first step is a confidential conversation with the office, offered at no cost. You can reach the office at (701) 780-9276 or by email at samuel@gereszek.law. For attorneys referring an appeal, e-service may be directed to eserve@gereszek.law.
Tell the office a little about your matter. The office will review your message and contact you to determine whether a consultation can be scheduled. If your matter is urgent, call instead.
