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 […]

Minnesota DWI Test Refusal Law Upheld as Constitutional In State v. Bernard, the Minnesota Supreme Court considered whether a Minnesota law criminalizing refusal to take a DWI breath test was unconstitutional. The Court held that the law does not violate a person’s fundamental rights under the constitution, and the refusal law is a reasonable means to […]

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 […]

I recently completed a first-time 5th degree felony drug possession case. Thanks to Minnesota Statutes 152.18 there’s a good chance that my client will never have a felony drug conviction on his criminal record. So what is 152.18 and how does it prevent a conviction? Stay of Adjudication for First-Time Felony Drug Offenders Minnesota Statutes […]

Theft is a broad category of criminal charges in Minnesota. Depending on the amount at issue and the way in which it occurs, it can range from a misdemeanor to a felony crime under Minnesota law. If you are charged with theft here are a few things to know about your case. Get a Minnesota […]

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 […]

5th Degree Possession of Drugs Charge and Penalties Fifth degree possession of drugs is the least severe felony drug possession crime in Minnesota. It carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine. You can be convicted of 5th degree drug possession not only by possessing controlled substances, but […]

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, […]

A common case that a St. Paul Prostitution Lawyer handles is from someone who receives a ticket for soliciting prostitution as a result of a police sting. Here are some things to know if you are charged with soliciting a prostitute in Minnesota: Misdemeanor and Gross Misdemeanor Prostitution Minnesota law has two different offenses for […]

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 […]