What is a DWI? In Minnesota, a DWI is a criminal offense of driving while impaired. Minnesota Statutes 169A.20 makes a crime to operate vehicles after consuming alcohol. What causes a DWI? A DWI can occur in multiple ways. It is a crime to drive a car or be in physical control of one with […]

If you are charged with crime, you’ll usually get a date for a first appearance. This hearing is also called an arraignment, Rule 5, or Rule 8 hearing. So, what happens at this hearing? Can I go to jail at a first appearance or arraignment? Typically, no. Unless you show the court that there is […]

An expungement allows you to seal a criminal record so that it cannot be used by employers, landlords, or other parties against you. Minnesota recently changed its expungement laws to make it easier for petitioners to get an exupngement. The new laws also allow a court to seal more records than may have been available […]

Let’s say you’re driving home after  a night at the bar and you see the flashing lights behind you. The police officer pulls you over, walks up to the window and asks for your license and registration. The officer asks some questions about your drinking, conducts some field sobriety tests, and has you blow into […]

A major concern for many of my clients is whether they will have to go to jail if convicted of a DWI, theft, drug, or prostitution charge. One way to avoid jail or prison is request a downward dispositional departure at sentencing. A downward dispositional departure is a request to the judge to stay the […]

Very few Minnesota criminal charges end up going to trial. The majority of them are typically resolved with a plea bargain. So, what is a plea bargain and how does it work? Plea Bargain A plea bargain is an agreement between the prosecutor and defendant to resolve the matter with a plea by the defendant […]

Under Minnesota law, there are a few ways that the State can file a criminal charge against a defendant. For minor offenses, you may receive a ticket with few details and a court date. For more severe offenses, you will typically receive a complaint. If a charge, whether for DWI, drugs, theft, assault, or prostitution, […]

For someone with a Minnesota criminal charge, I often find that the most crucial part of the case happened before the defendant had a St. Paul Criminal Defense Lawyer. From a DWI to drug possession, the moment that the police officer stops you is often crucial to determine whether you will be charged with a […]

Domestic assault cases typically cause confusion and difficult situations for both the defendant and alleged victim. A number of domestic assault cases that I’ve handled have started with the defendant wondering why the case was continuing when the victim said that she did not want to continue pressing charges or said that she initially lied […]

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, more than 30,000 people are arrested and charged each year with driving while intoxicated, or DWI. The state defines intoxication as operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher. Drivers of commercial vehicles can be charged with DWI if they have […]