Dakota County DWI Attorney
You need an Eagan DWI attorney to help you navigate the legal system if you have been charged with a Minnesota DWI. The penalties are too great to fight alone so call now!

Minnesota does not distinguish between a DUI or DWI, so the terms are used interchangeably in the state. If you are charged with a DWI, you will face the serious consequences of incarceration, loss of driving privileges, a criminal record, and heavy fines. To prevent these and other penalties, you need to enlist the help of an experienced Eagan DWI attorney. Halberg Criminal Defense is made up of six such attorneys with over one hundred years of legal experience between them. As a result, the firm has secured charge reductions and dismissals for thousands of clients over the years and has been named one of the ‘Best Law Firms’ by The US News and World Report.
These aggressive and extraordinarily knowledgeable Eagan DWI attorneys can analyze each detail of your case and determine the best possible defense method for your situation. Regardless of the circumstances of your arrest, you can receive comprehensive and supportive legal advice tailored to your needs. Call (877) 823-6690 to begin the defense process.
Degrees of DWI in Dakota County
If you are pulled over in Dakota County and determined to have an alcohol content (AC) percentage of 0.08 or more, you will be charged with a DWI. The state of Minnesota has four degrees of a DWI charge that depend on a number of conditions. These aggravating factors include refusal of a chemical test, causing an accident, having a very high blood alcohol content, prior convictions on your record, and the presence of a minor in your vehicle at the time of your arrest. A fourth degree DWI is a misdemeanor, followed by the second and third degree DWI charges which are considered gross misdemeanors. The first and final degree is the most serious, and is considered to be a felony by the State of Minnesota. State legislature periodically amends the laws and penalties associated with these degrees, so consult with an Eagan DWI attorney for the details surrounding your case.
Penalties for a Dakota County DWI
A DWI is a very serious criminal charge, carrying with it consequences that can dramatically affect your life. You need an experienced and skilled Eagan DWI attorney to work on preventing as many of these as possible. Each of the four degrees for a DWI rises in severity, and can result in judiciary penalties as well as loss of employment opportunities, rising insurance costs, restricted travel, vehicle seizure, and others. The maximum penalties associated with each degree are as follows:
- 4th Degree Misdemeanor- 90 days of jail and a $1,000 fine
- 3rd Degree Gross Misdemeanor- 1 year of jail and a $3,000 fine
- 2nd Degree Gross Misdemeanor- 1 year of jail and a $3,000 fine
- 1st Degree Felony- 7 years incarceration and a $14,000 fine
Dakota County DWI Effects on your Driver’s License
In addition to the judicial consequences of a DWI, you will undergo administrative sanctions by the DPS as well. Many factors affect the duration of your license suspension, but there is a minimum sentence of 90 days. This will be increased greatly depending on your criminal record, the details surrounding your arrest, your alcohol content and other details. If the judge determines you to be a threat to public safety, you may also risk permanent revocation or vehicle impoundment. You only have seven days after the date of you arrest before the suspension is enacted, so consult an Eagan DWI attorney as soon as possible so that they may contest the sanction on your behalf.
Minnesota Implied Consent Law
When you are issued a Minnesota driver’s license, you are implying that you will consent to chemical testing anytime that you are in control of a vehicle. Although you do have the right to refuse a breath, blood, or urine test, there are consequences for doing so should you later be convicted of a DWI. These consequences include a year-long license suspension, increased charges, and harsher penalties. An Eagan DWI attorney can explain the potential consequences of your decision to you, and give counsel on the best way to possibly avoid any negative results.
About Halberg Criminal Defense
As one of the most prominent and prestigious law firms in Minnesota, Halberg Criminal Defense has a record of providing successful resolution for thousands of clients. With over 100 years of experience between the six Eagan DWI attorneys, Halberg Criminal Defense is one of the “Best Law Firms” in Minnesota according to the US News and World Report. Several of their cases have been featured by the news, and the firm worked at the forefront of the Minnesota source code litigation, contesting the validity of Intoxilyzer software. For their outstanding legal service, Halberg Criminal Defense has been given the highest possible rating by Martindale-Hubbell.
If you are currently presented with DWI charges in Dakota County, do not hesitate to call Halberg Criminal Defense as soon as you possibly can. Your life is too important to accept the long-lasting consequences of a DWI charge. An Eagan DWI attorney from Halberg Criminal Defense can work with you and guide you through all the legal hurdles that lie ahead. Schedule your free initial consultation immediately with an Eagan DWI attorney by calling (877) 823-6690.
Lead attorney and founding partner, Marsh Halberg, has spent over thirty years assisting Minnesota clients with their criminal defense needs. Before becoming an Eagan DWI attorney, Marsh J. Halberg served as Chief Prosecutor for the City of Edina as well as the Metropolitan Airports Commission. During this time he tried more than 15,000 cases annually and gained invaluable understanding of the prosecution’s methods. As an Eagan DWI attorney, Marsh Halberg has developed a reputation for being serious in the courtroom yet personable and approachable in the office. Because of his outstanding legal experience and knowledge, he is the most requested Continuing Legal Education speaker in Minnesota and the author of numerous training manuals and seminar materials. Marsh Halberg is also the editor-in-chief of The Minnesota DWI Deskbook, a comprehensive reference book for legal professionals. In recognition of his exceptional legal capabilities, he has been named a “Super-Lawyer” every year since 1997 and has been named one of Minnesota’s top six criminal defense lawyers by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine.
Eric Nelson has successfully represented numerous clients with a wide range of criminal issues since his admission to the Bar in 2001. As an Eagan DWI attorney, he is licensed to practice in Minnesota and Federal Courts. Having established a reputation of skill and accomplishment, Eric Nelson is often asked to speak on various criminal topics, including DWI. He has been named a Minnesota SuperLawyer-Rising Star from 2004 to 2010 and is a Member of the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in addition to other legal organizations. On top of all of his other duties, this attorney finds the time to contribute to The Minnesota DWI Deskbook and judge moot court and mock trial competitions.
Tina Appleby has served Minnesota as an Eagan DWI attorney for over 27 years. Over the course of her career, she has established herself as one of the top female attorneys in the state through thousands of acquittals, dismissals, and other favorable resolutions. Tina Appleby has been admitted to the Minnesota and Federal Courts as well as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. As a testament to her distinction, this attorney frequently speaks all around the country in Continuing Legal Education seminars on all sorts of legal subjects. With a sensitivity to the trauma her clients may be experiencing, she focuses her energy on getting her clients’ lives moving again by providing the best defenses possible and staying attune to their needs.
Doug Hazelton has exclusively practiced criminal defense for over 15 years with a special emphasis on drunk driving charges. This Eagan DWI attorney has represented hundreds of clients and developed a record of successful case resolutions. Doug Hazelton enjoys the distinction of being one of only two Minnesota defense lawyers who has graduated from the Borkenstein program at Indiana University. He has also graduated from the National College of DUI Defense and continues to contribute to the program as a Member, and in 2006 he was named Minnesota’s National Delegate to the College. Like his colleagues, Doug Hazelton often lectures on criminal defense topics throughout the nation and writes articles for several legal publications. Based on his legal prowess, he has been listed among the Best Lawyers in America and a Minnesota “SuperLawyer”.
Lee Orwig served as a Hennepin County mediator before becoming an Eagan DWI attorney, and worked at the Ramsey County judiciary. Since beginning his career as a lawyer, he has dedicated himself to criminal defense and has argued issues for his clients before the Minnesota Court of Appeals and other courts. Lee Orwig holds influential positions in several legal organizations, including Professionalism Director and Criminal Law Director of the Hennepin County Bar Association. Notably, he is a lead author of the amicus curiae source code brief that was submitted to the Minnesota Federal District Court and compiles a database of all the latest decisions on the matter which are distributed to all lawyers and judges in the state.
Jeremy Kaschinske graduated from the Hamline University School of Law before being admitted to practice in the Minnesota and Federal Courts. Prior to joining Halberg Criminal Defense, he worked as a mediator in Ramsey County and a legal content editor at Thomson Reuters. After becoming an Eagan DWI attorney, Jeremy Kaschinske has gained experience handling a wide array of criminal charges for his clients. He is known for going the extra mile for his clients and resolving their legal troubles in beneficial ways through confident application of legal technique and dedication to defense. When he is not in the courtroom or preparing for trial, Jeremy Kaschinske judges mock trial and participates in other community organizations.
Call Now for Immediate Help with Your Dakota County DWI
Just because you have been arrested and charged with a DWI, it is not guaranteed that you will be convicted. You can fight your charges. A skillful Eagan DWI attorney can review your case and search for improper arrest procedure or any other holes in the prosecution’s case against you. There are many decisions that you will have to make in order to reach resolution, and it is important that you have the support and counsel of an experienced attorney. Do not accept the charges being presented to you, but seek to prevent fines, loss of driving privileges, and incarceration with the assistance of an attorney from Halberg Criminal Defense.
The Eagan DWI attorneys of Halberg Criminal Defense are standing by at (877) 823-6690. Call now to set up your free initial case review and begin the process of getting your life back to normal.
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