Minneapolis, Minnesota DUI Lawyers

Being arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence in Minnesota is a serious charge and a conviction can have life-changing consequences. You could lose your driver's license, have your license plates impounded, have your vehicle seized, be required to pay large fines, lose your auto insurance and even be sent to jail.

To fight a charge of impaired or drunk driving in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area you need the services of an experienced and qualified criminal defense attorney.

The Minneapolis, Minnesota DUI Lawyers with Halberg Criminal Defense aggressively defends those accused of drunk driving in Hennepin County. They are experienced attorneys who know Minnesota DUI laws and the complex court system. They can make a difference in the outcome of your case.

The Hennepin County, MN DUI Attorneys with Halberg Criminal Defense offer a free, no obligation initial review of your case. To schedule a meeting, call (612) 568-0973 or complete the secure, on-line form to the left. All inquiries will receive a prompt response, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

State law labels the act of driving while impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription drugs as ‘driving while intoxicated' or DWI. Neighboring states commonly refer to the offense as ‘driving under the influence' of DUI. The two offenses are similar in that they are legally defined as either having a blood alcohol content in excess of 0.08%, or exhibiting impairment to the point of operating a motorized vehicle unsafely. This last point is critical. You can be arrested based on a law enforcement officer's observations, and it is possible to be charged with MN DUI/DWI with a BAC below 0.08%.

When issued a driver's license to operate a vehicle on Minnesota roads, you give implied consent to have your blood alcohol content checked whenever requested by a law enforcement officer. Refusal to submit to a chemical test of BAC can bring additional criminal charges, a longer license suspension period and harsher penalties if convicted.

The laws and penalties associated with alcohol or drug related traffic arrests are periodically amended by the state legislature. To make sure your case is handled properly and effectively, you can rely on the significant experience and knowledge held by the Minneapolis DUI Attorneys at Halberg Criminal Defense.

A DUI in the Twin Cities area will be assigned one of four judicial levels of severity:

• Fourth Degree DUI/DWI - misdemeanor
• Third Degree DUI/DWI - gross misdemeanor
• Second Degree DUI/DWI - also gross misdemeanor with aggravating factors
• First Degree DUI/DWI - felony

The level charged depends on a number of conditions, including refusal to submit to a breath or blood test, the number of prior MN DUI convictions on your record during the past 10 years, having a very high blood alcohol content in excess of 0.20%, having a minor in the vehicle at the time of arrest and causing an accident with fatality or injury.

If you are found guilty of driving under the influence in MN, you will face fines, loss of driver's license, higher auto insurance premiums, jail and attendance in a chemical dependency group. Depending on the details of your arrest you may also have your vehicle seized and sold by the State, be required to undergo alcohol or drug rehabilitation and be subject to long-term monitoring.

A DUI conviction would also result in a criminal arrest record, which could damage your credit score, lead to loss of current job, reduce future employment opportunities and restrict you from traveling to Canada.

An arrest for Minneapolis drunk driving is a very serious criminal offense. Contact the Minneapolis DUI Attorneys with Halberg Criminal Defense for immediate help.

During an arrest for suspicion of Hennepin County DUI your driver's license will be seized and you will be issued a temporary driving permit. That permit expires after 7 days and the suspension becomes official.

There are a number of factors influencing the length of the suspension period, though it is a minimum of 90 days. Those refusing to submit to a breath or blood test are subject to loss of driving privileges for one year.

A few options for limited driving privileges exist that will permit driving to and from work or school. You also have the right challenge the license suspension by either the appealing to the Department of Public Safety or seeking judicial relief through the courts.

There are ways to save your license. For more information on your specific case, contact the Twin Cities DUI defense lawyers with Halberg Criminal Defense.

The Hennepin County DUI Attorneys at Halberg Criminal Defense offer a complete drunk driving defense, including challenging the suspension of your driver's license, seeking return of a seized vehicle, fighting for dismissal of charges and even preparing for court if necessary. The law firm's staff includes three former city prosecutors and assistant county attorneys. Two of the attorneys are certified intoxilyzer operators. Halberg Criminal Defense have an excellent record of helping people charged with a Minnesota DUI, earning them a reputation as one of the best criminal defense law firms in the state. The law firm has certified Intoxilyzer operators, former prosecutors and former assistant county attorneys on staff. Each of the Minneapolis DUI Lawyers at Halberg Criminal Defense has an extensive criminal law background, and collectively the partners have over 100 years of criminal trial experience. That gives them the knowledge and skill necessary to create an effective DUI defense on your behalf. The law firm has an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating available based upon a survey of their peers.

Attorney Marsh Halberg has personally tried thousands of criminal court trials. He is editor-in-chief of The Minnesota DWI Deskbook, a source book for criminal defense attorneys, and he is one of Minnesota's most requested Continuing Legal Education speakers on criminal law issues. Marsh Halberg has been named 'Super Lawyer' in Minnesota annually since 1997. He has also been named one of Minnesota's top criminal defense lawyers by Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine, and honored as 'Member of Outstanding Lawyers of America' and 'Who's Who in Criminal Law'.

Marsh Halberg graduated from St. Olaf College and earned a juris doctorate from Hamline University School of Law.

Lawyer Eric Nelson exclusively practices criminal defense and has an excellent reputation as a skilled attorney. He is admitted to practice law in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Mr. Nelson frequently speaks on criminal law issues throughout the state. He has been named 'Super Lawyer-Rising Star' and is included in the list of 'Who's Who in Criminal Law'.

Eric Nelson is a member of the Hennepin County Bar Association, the Minnesota Bar Association, the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He received an undergraduate degree from Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania and graduated from Hamline University School of Law.

Tina Appleby has distinguished herself as one of the premier female criminal defense attorneys in Minnesota. She has successfully obtained jury acquittals, dismissals and favorable resolutions in over 2000 cases. She frequently speaks at Continuing Legal Education seminars on subjects such as DUI/DWI defense.

Tina Appleby is admitted to practice law in Minnesota courts and U.S. Federal Court. She has been named 'Who's Who in Criminal Law' and is a member of Minnesota State Bar Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Ms. Appleby graduated from the University of Minnesota and earned a juris doctorate from Hamline University School of Law.

Lee Orwig worked for the Ramsey County judiciary and served as a mediator in several Hennepin County Courts before exclusively practicing criminal defense. Mr. Orwig has experience with both misdemeanor and felony DWI cases, and he has successfully argued criminal issues before the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Mr. Orwig is recognized as being on the forefront of the effort to gain access to the breath test 'source code' used in DUI/DWI arrests in Minnesota. He maintains a database of judicial decisions on source code that is utilized by both attorneys and judges, and he has been instrumental in the federal litigation between the State of Minnesota and the manufacturer of the breath-testing machine used in the state. Mr. Orwig is the lead author of the amicus curiae source code brief submitted to Minnesota Federal District Court on behalf of the Minnesota Society of Criminal Justice.

Mr. Orwig recognizes the emotional toll on those accused of drunk driving in Minnesota and he brings a proactive approach to defending them to ensure the best possible results.

Attorney Doug Hazelton focuses on the defense of DWI, DUI and alcohol related traffic offenses. He is one of only two Minnesota attorneys to have completed the prestigious Borkenstein program at Indiana University in the study of alcohol breath testing.

Mr. Hazelton has been named to the lists of 'Best Lawyers in America' and 'Super Lawyer'. He is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, conducted at Harvard Law School, as well as the Hennepin County Bar Association, the Minnesota Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice. Doug Hazelton graduated from Antioch College in Ohio and received a juris doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law.

Attorney Jeremy Kaschinske has successfully argued legal issues before Minnesota District Courts and the Minnesota Court of Appeals. He formerly was a mediator for Ramsey County Courts and worked as a legal content editor for a national publisher.

Mr. Kaschinske has experience with all levels of criminal charges, including DUI/DWI crimes and other traffic violations. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin - La Cross and earned a J.D from Hamline University School of Law. He is a member of the Minnesota State Bar, the Hennepin County Bar and the Minnesota Association of Criminal defense Lawyers. Jeremy Kaschinske is admitted to practice law throughout the State of Minnesota. He understands the tremendous impact an arrest can have on a person's life, and he is known for going above and beyond to meet his clients' needs.

The State and police are already building a case against you, and they will actively seek a conviction. You must counter that action and protect your future by securing legal representation. To get the professional help you need, contact the Hennepin County DUI Lawyers at Halberg Criminal Defense by calling (612) 568-0973 or completing the form to the left.

The Minneapolis MN DUI Attorneys with Halberg Criminal Defense look forward to offering you advice and helping to defend your rights.