Hutchinson DUI Lawyer

The Minneapolis DUI lawyers at Halberg Criminal Defense have earned a reputation throughout Minnesota that is unparalleled. Together, their attorneys share over 100 years of experience in criminal trials. They can assist drivers arrested for suspicion of drunk driving in pursuing the return of a seized vehicle, challenging the suspension of a driver's license, and will aggressively fight to see the charges reduced or dismissed. Their firm consists of former prosecutors, former assistant county attorneys, and certified Intoxilyzer operators as well. Their combined experience and unique background gives them an edge in court while defending their clients. As former prosecutors, they are able to better anticipate the prosecution's strategy and can be prepared in building your defense. With certified Intoxilyzer operators, their lawyers have a more comprehensive understanding of the machines' accuracy and functionality. The Minneapolis DUI lawyers at Halberg Criminal Defense have also earned the highest AV rating possible with Martindale Hubbell by their peers.

Marsh Halberg has established himself as not only a top tier Minneapolis DUI lawyer but throughout all of Minnesota as well. He received his undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College before earning his Juris Doctorate at Hamline University School of Law. Over the course of his thirty years as a criminal trial lawyer, he has tried over 100 criminal jury trials and thousands of criminal court trials. He has also served as Chief Prosecutor of the City of Edina, Minnesota as well as the Metropolitan Airports Commission. Marsh Halberg has served as an Assistant Carver County Attorney in Chaska, MN and has also supervised the prosecution of over 15,000 criminal cases annually. His knowledge and experience has led him to be one of the most sought after Continuing Legal Education speakers. He has also authored several criminal law seminar materials and training manuals. Minneapolis DUI lawyer Marsh Halberg has been recognized with several prestigious honors over the years for his accomplishments. He was named one of Minnesota's top six criminal defense attorneys and was recognized as a Super Lawyer by his peers annually since 1997. He has been inducted into the Who's Who in Criminal Law and named a member of Outstanding Lawyers in America. He also serves as editor-in-chief of the highly comprehensive DWI source book, The Minnesota DWI Deskbook, used by attorney's throughout the state.

The State of Minnesota has established a DUI as any person driving while impaired by illegal drugs, prescription drugs, or alcohol. DUI charges involve drivers that have a blood alcohol content equal to or higher than .08%. A driver may also be charged with this offense if they have exhibited impairment while operating their vehicle unsafely. In Minnesota, drivers are subject to the Implied Consent Law, which means that upon receiving a driver's license, you have given implied consent to have your blood alcohol content (BAC) checked should it be requested by an officer. To evaluate your charges, consult a Minneapolis DUI lawyer as soon as possible.

Should you be convicted of a drunk driving charge in Minnesota, the penalties for these crimes could result in large monetary fines, jail time, suspension of license, and a criminal record.

Fourth-Degree DUI – misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days of jail and a $1,000 fine (for the person's first impaired driving violation within ten years without test refusal or any aggravating factors).

Third-Degree DUI – a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year of jail and a $3,000 fine (for the person's second impaired driving violation within ten years or first such violation with test refusal or another aggravating factor).

Second-Degree DUI – also a gross misdemeanor (for the person's third impaired driving violation within ten years or second such violation with test refusal or one other aggravating factor, or first such violation with two aggravating factors).

First-Degree DUI – felony, punishable by up to seven years imprisonment and a $14,000 fine (for the person's fourth impaired driving violation within ten years or anytime following a previous felony DUI or criminal vehicular operation conviction; other aggravating factors are not considered).

As you can see, the penalties for drunk driving charges become more severe with prior convictions and refusal of a BAC chemical test. This is why it is important to work with a Minneapolis DUI lawyer to fight your charges. Additional factors that could result in more severe penalties are also having a BAC of .20% or higher, causing an accident with injury or a fatality, or having a minor in the vehicle at the time of arrest. Being convicted of a DUI in Hennepin County could also result in higher insurance premiums, your vehicle being seized and sold by the state, mandatory participation in a chemical dependency group, alcohol or drug rehabilitation treatment and long term monitoring. A DUI conviction could also take its toll on your future prospects by affecting your job status, credit score, as well as future employment opportunities. Fight your charges with a Minneapolis DUI lawyer who will strive to reduce your penalties as much as possible.

In addition to facing criminal penalties for a drunk driving offense, there are also three administrative sanctions that may commence at the time of arrest.

1. Administrative License Revocation - Whenever the implied consent law can be invoked during the arrest process, the person's driver's license can be withdrawn immediately following any test failure or test refusal.
   DUI offenders do have the option to appeal the administrative license revocation through either the DPS or court system. However, having an experienced Minneapolis DUI lawyer like Marsh Halberg to assist you in this process would greatly increase the chances of a successful appeal.

2. Administrative License Plate Impoundment - Drivers could face a plate impoundment with an impaired driving violation that includes an aggravating factor such as having a BAC of .20% or higher, having a child age 16 or younger in the vehicle at the time of arrest, or if the DUI occurred while the offender's license has been cancelled. This sanction will apply to not only the vehicle used in the plate impoundment violation but also to any vehicle leased, registered or owned in the name of the offender. The violator may also appeal the license plate impoundment either administratively or through the court system, which is why it is important to have an experienced Minneapolis DUI lawyer to assist in the process.

3. Administrative Vehicle Forfeiture - Minnesota's DUI law provides for vehicle forfeiture for a designated license revocation or designated offense, which is typically the third DUI violation within a ten-year period, though with one or more aggravating factors, a person's second-time or even first-time violation might qualify as well. Once again, this sanction is conducted administratively and the violator has 30 days to appeal by filing a judicial determination of the forfeiture. Work with a Minneapolis DUI lawyer to put forth an appeal and avoid forfeiture of your vehicle.

Eric Nelson, Minneapolis DUI lawyer, focuses exclusively on criminal defense and has earned a reputation as a skilled and talented lawyer. In addition to being honored with the title Super Lawyer - Rising Star by his peers, he was also included in the list of Who's Who in Criminal Law. Before earning his Juris Doctorate at the Hamline University School of Law, he received his undergraduate degree from Eastern University, cum laude. He continues to give lectures on criminal topics such as the manufacturing of methamphetamine and driving under the influence of a controlled substance. He was also a contributing author for the Minnesota DWI Deskbook. He constantly puts his experience and knowledge to work for his clients with an aggressive mindset that has attributed to his record of success.

Tina Appleby, Minneapolis DUI lawyer, has a record of success in Minnesota and has established herself as a leading criminal defense attorney. She has always aggressively represented her clients throughout her distinguished career as a criminal defense attorney which includes over 2,000 cases where she successfully obtained dismissals, jury acquittals and favorable resolutions. She also regularly speaks at Continuing Legal Education seminars pertaining to DUI and DWI defense. Minneapolis DUI lawyer Tina Appleby received her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota before earning her Juris Doctorate at Hamline University School of Law. Her accomplishments have also earned her a spot on the list of Who's Who in Criminal Law. Her clients often appreciate the time she takes to thoroughly explain and navigate them through a complex and often overwhelming court system.

Doug Hazelton, Minneapolis DUI lawyer, not only focuses all of his attention on DUI and alcohol related traffic offenses but is also one of two attorneys in the entire state of Minnesota to have successfully completed the prestigious Borkenstein program at Indiana University in the field of alcohol breath testing. He received his undergraduate degree from Antioch College before earning his Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law. Minneapolis DUI lawyer Doug Hazelton is a member of the National College for DUI Defense and has been honored with the title of Super Lawyer. He was also included in the lists of Best Lawyers in America. He regularly lectures on DUI related topics locally as well as nationally and has had his articles published on several publications such as Criminal Defense Techniques, Criminal Constitutional Law and many more.

Lee Orwig, Minneapolis DUI lawyer, has valuable experience in both misdemeanor and felony DUI cases. He has also been a leader in the effort to acquire breath test source code used for Minnesota DUI arrests. He has been an important component in federal litigation between state breath test machine manufacturers and the state of Minnesota in addition to keeping a database of judicial source code decisions that is utilized by judges and attorneys. Before earning his Juris Doctorate at William Mitchell College of Law, he received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. His experience and involvement in breath test machine litigation has given him an edge while defending his clients.

Jeremy Kaschinske, Minneapolis DUI lawyer, has earned a record of success arguing legal issues before the Minnesota Court of Appeals as well as District Courts. He has also mediated for Ramsey County Courts and edited legal content for Thomson Reuters. He has a comprehensive knowledge of criminal law that comes from years of experience handling felony, misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin - La Cross before earning his Juris Doctorate at Hamline University School of Law. Minneapolis DUI lawyer Jeremy Kaschinske has always been known to go the extra mile for his clients because he understands how important the outcome of a case can be to their future.

Your Minneapolis DUI lawyer, Marsh Halberg, knows how important the outcome of your drunk driving case can be for any future opportunities and will work diligently to see that you charges are reduced or dismissed. If you are facing DUI charges, call now at (612) 568-0973.