Eagan DUI Lawyer

When you are arrested for a DUI, you can either decide to accept the charges and face heavy penalties, or explore your defense options with an Dakota County DUI lawyer. You must enlist the assistance of an attorney in order to have the best chance of a favorable result of your case. You deserve nothing but the best when handling this situation, and the Halberg Criminal Defense team is ready to help!

The team of six Dakota County DUI lawyers has over 100 years of experience between them, and have acquired the skills, understanding, and talent required for developing a solid defense. Because of their legal prowess, Halberg Criminal Defense has received the highest AV rating from Martindale-Hubbel. If you choose to discuss the details of your charges with them, these Dakota County DUI lawyers can make a real difference in the outcome of your case.

Call the Dakota County DUI lawyers of Halberg Criminal Defense now at (877) 823-6690 for your free initial consultation. The firm has been rated one of the "Best Law Firms" by the US News and World Report. Why would you not want the best on your side when fighting your charges? Call today!

As in the rest of the nation, it is illegal in Minnesota to operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You can be arrested for driving with a blood alcohol content (AC) of 0.08% or above, or any amount of a controlled substance in your system. Just because you have been arrested, however, does not mean that you will be convicted. With the help of an experienced Eagan DUI lawyer, you can fight your charges and change the outcome of your case.

Minnesota does not distinguish between a DUI and DWI, but instead has four degrees of a DUI charge which increase with the addition of aggravating factors. These factors include having a DUI on your record in the preceding 10 years, refusal of a chemical test, having a minor under 16 in the vehicle, or having an AC of 0.20% or above.

Deciding whether or not to provide a blood, breath, or urine sample at the time of your arrest can be a difficult choice, and there is much confusion surrounding the issue. As an Dakota County DUI lawyer can explain, the state of Minnesota recognizes that when you are in control of a vehicle, you are essentially consenting to being tested for substances at any time. However, you do still have the option to refuse the tests at the moment of your arrest.

There are penalties for a refusal though, including an automatic one-year suspension of your license. This suspension can be contested with the help of an Dakota County DUI lawyer and you may be able to reinstate your license or obtain a hardship permit. In any case, the prosecution will now have to build a case against you based on other factors and will not have a definitive alcohol concentration to prove your DUI.

There are four degrees of a Minnesota DUI, each with corresponding factors. A 4th Degree DUI is given with no aggravating factors present, a 3rd Degree for one, a 2nd Degree for two, and a 1st Degree for three or more. The penalties for each of these involve:

1. 4th Degree (Misdemeanor) - 90 days of jail and a $1,000 fine
2. 3rd Degree (Gross Misdemeanor) - 1 year of jail and a $3,000 fine
3. 2nd Degree (Gross Misdemeanor) - 1 year of jail and a $3,000 fine
4. 1st Degree (Felony) - 7 years incarceration and a $14,000 fine

These legal penalties may be increased based on the circumstances of your DUI incident and your criminal record. They may also be accompanied by dramatically increased insurance premiums, possible consequences against future employment opportunities, social stigma, and administrative sanctions. Minnesota DUI penalties are too harsh for you to accept your charges. Fight them now with an Dakota County DUI lawyer from Halberg Criminal Defense!

In the event that you are arrested for DUI in Dakota County, your license will be withdrawn and you will be issued a temporary permit valid for only 7 days. After this week, your license will be automatically revoked. Your license will be withdrawn for a minimum of 90 days, and 180 days if you have a prior DUI conviction. These periods will be doubled if you were arrested with an AC of 0.20% or above, and will increase to one year for refusing a chemical test. Your Eagan DUI lawyer can more thoroughly detail the specific punishments that you face and assist you in getting back your driving privileges. You cannot risk losing your license for this length of time, so begin the reinstatement process with the DPS and get back to normal life!

Halberg Criminal Defense is one of the most prominent and successful DUI defense firms in Minnesota. Each of the six Dakota County DUI lawyers has established themselves as an aggressive and determined advocate for their clients and have proved their devotion and skill in over a century of combined experience.

With comprehensive investigation of your case and supportive legal representation, these Dakota County DUI lawyers can take the necessary steps to resolve your case. Two of the attorneys are certified Intoxilyzer operators, and three have been former prosecutors. Because of this, the staff is thoroughly aware of both the proper breath test procedures as well as how the prosecution builds a case against you. These Dakota County attorneys are recognized for their extensive knowledge by the legal community and speak on criminal law issues throughout the nation.

Founding attorney, Marsh Halberg, has been serving clients since his introduction to the Minnesota bar association over thirty years ago. In his prestigious career, this Eagan DUI lawyer has tried over one hundred criminal cases in front of a jury and thousands more in court trials. As a former prosecutor, Marsh Halberg gained invaluable insight into the other side of the courtroom, having tried over 15,000 cases per year. He has been named a Minnesota "SuperLawyer" each year since 1997 by his peers and in the "Who's Who in Criminal Law," a list of the top 40 attorneys in the state. Not only this, but Marsh Halberg has been included as a Member of Outstanding Lawyers of America and is the number one most requested Minnesota speaker for Continuing Legal Education. In addition to his numerous other duties, he is the editor-in-chief for the most detailed DUI legal source book in the State, The Minnesota DWI Deskbook.

Eric Nelson has garnered a reputation for being an effective Dakota County DUI lawyer since graduation with a Juris Doctorate from Hamline University School of Law in 2001. Having successfully negotiated reduced and dismissed charges for numerous clients, he has been named a 2004-2010 Minnesota "SuperLawyer-Rising Star". Eric Nelson often lectures on various DUI and criminal topics throughout the nation and serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He also judges moot court and mock trial competitions, and contributes to editing The Minnesota DWI Deskbook.

Tina Appleby has served the Minnesota community for twenty-seven years as a criminal defense attorney. As an Dakota County DUI lawyer, she has established herself as one of the premier female attorneys in Minnesota. In the over 2,000 cases that Tina Appleby has handled, she has obtained many dismissals and acquittals for her clients and has successfully resolved their legal issues. Frequently she is asked to give lectures on DUI and other matters for the Continuing Legal Education seminars. For her honorable achievements, Tina Appleby has been listed among the "Who's Who in Criminal Law" in both 2005 and 2006.

Doug Hazelton has effectively resolved hundreds of criminal cases of all types and enjoys the distinction of being one of two attorneys in the state who has completed the Indiana University Borkenstein program. This Dakota County DUI lawyer has also graduated from and is a Member of the National College for DUI Defense, and was elected Minnesota's National Delegate to the College in 2006. Doug Hazelton's writing has been featured in numerous legal publications for a variety of issues, and the attorney contributes to The Minnesota DWI Deskbook. For his years of service and outstanding record of success, Doug Hazelton has been listed as one of the Best Lawyers in America and a "SuperLawyer" by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine.

Lee Orwig spent some years as a mediator in Hennepin County and worked for the Ramsey County judiciary before becoming an Dakota County DUI lawyer. He has defended many clients and successfully argued issues before the Minnesota Court of Appeals. He worked at the forefront of the State's source code litigation and as such maintains a database of all the legal decisions made in the case that is then distributed to all lawyers and judges in Minnesota. Lee Orwig is also recognized as head author of the amicus curiae source code brief that has been given to the Minnesota Federal District Court by the Minnesota Society of Criminal Justice. In addition to this, Lee Orwig is the Professionalism Director of the Hennepin County Bar Association and holds several other influential positions in legal associations.

Jeremy Kaschinske worked as mediator in Ramsey County Courts and as a Westlaw legal content editor for Thompson Reuters prior to joining Halberg Criminal Defense. A graduate of Hamline University School of Law, this Dakota County DUI lawyer has experience in all areas of criminal defense and has a reputation for going above and beyond his client's expectations when handling their cases. Jeremy Kaschinske is a member of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is admitted to practice law in Minnesota and Federal Courts.

The consequences for a Minnesota DUI are too great for you to merely accept the charges and "get it over with." It is in your best interest to consult an Eagan DUI lawyer and see what can be done to reduce or dismiss your charges. Contact the Halberg Criminal Defense firm to speak with an Dakota County DUI lawyer now at (877) 823-6690 or through the online form on this page. The firm is dedicated to serving the Dakota County communities of Eagan, Hastings, Rosemount, Farmington, South St. Paul, West St. Paul, and Mendota Heights. Time is of the essence so schedule your free initial case review as soon as possible!