Minneapolis DWI Lawyer

If you face DWI charges in Hennepin County, call Halberg Criminal Defense and work with a Minneapolis DWI lawyer to fight your charges today!

The Minneapolis DWI attorneys at Halberg Criminal Defense understand the enormous stress that can weigh down a person facing DWI charges. If you or someone you know is facing a DWI charge, you could risk large fines, probation, loss of driver’s license, jail time and a criminal record. While nobody would want to face any of these penalties, Halberg’s Minneapolis DWI attorneys understand how damaging a criminal record can be to your future prospects and will work around the clock to see that your charges are reduced or dismissed. With six attorneys and a combined 100 years of experience, Halberg Criminal Defense has become one of the leading DWI defense firms in Minnesota. Their unique blend of knowledge and skill has earned them a history of success that has earned them the highest possible AV rating from Martindale Hubbell. Their firm also has two certified Intoxilyzer operators that has given them a better understanding of the machines functionality and accuracy when defending clients in court. Their legal team of Minneapolis DWI attorneys consists of former assistant county attorneys and 3 former city prosecutors. They were honored when U.S. News and World Reports Best Law Firms Edition named them as one of the Best Law Firms and ranked them First Tier in DWI Defense.

Marsh Halberg, Minneapolis DWI Lawyer

Throughout his 30 year career, Minneapolis DWI lawyer Marsh Halberg has tried thousands of criminal court trials, over 100 criminal jury trials and has gained valuable experience in all types criminal litigation. His experience and success has earned him the title of Super-Lawyer by his peers annually since 1997. He was also added to the list of Who’s Who in Criminal Law and honored as a member of Outstanding Lawyers of America. Before receiving his Juris Doctorate at Hamline University School of Law, he earned his undergraduate degree at St. Olaf College. Minneapolis DWI attorney Marsh Halberg is also one of the most requested speakers on criminal law issues at Continuing Education lectures. He has supervised more than 15,000 criminal cases annually as Chief Prosecutor for the City of Edina, Minnesota and the Metropolitan Airports Commission. Marsh Halberg is also the editor-in-chief of the most comprehensive DWI source book used by attorneys throughout the state, The Minnesota DWI Deskbook, and assists in the training of newly appointed State District court judges. He has authored numerous training manuals and seminar materials pertaining to criminal law and still remains active in volunteer, charitable, and civic organizations serving Chaska and Carver County. As you can see, Minneapolis DWI attorney Marsh Halberg not only has decades of experience in criminal and DWI law but has been recognized throughout the State of Minnesota as an attorney that can be relied on for guidance and superior legal representation.

Minneapolis DWI law

The State of Minnesota has established that driving while intoxicated or DWI, as the act of driving while impaired by prescription drugs, illegal drugs, or alcohol. Many states also refer to this as a DUI or driving under the influence, which is similar to a DWI because they both refer to the charge of driving with a blood alcohol level equal to or exceeding .08%. You can also be charged with DWI should you exhibit impairment to the degree that you are no longer operating your vehicle safely. However, it is important to know that you can still be charged with a DWI even if your blood alcohol level is below .08% based on observations made by the arresting officer. Under Minnesota law, when a person is issued a driver’s license, they have automatically given their implied consent to have their blood alcohol content checked if requested by an officer. If the person refuses the chemical test to establish their BAC level, they could face additional charges and penalties. Consult a Minneapolis DWI attorney to find out about all potential penalties you may face.

Penalties for a DWI in Minnesota

The State of Minnesota has established four judicial levels of severity for DWI charges and they are:

1. Fourth Degree DWI – This is a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to 90 days jail time and a $1,000 fine (for a driver’s first impaired driving offense within ten years with no aggravating factors or test refusal).
2. Third Degree DWI – This is a gross misdemeanor punishable with up to 1 year jail time and a $3,000 fine (for a driver’s second impaired driving violation within ten years or first violation with an aggravating factor or test refusal).
3. Second Degree DWI – Gross misdemeanor. For a driver’s third impaired driving violation within ten years or second violation with test refusal or one other aggravating factor. Also includes first such violation with two aggravating factors.
4. First Degree DWI – This is a felony charge, punishable by up to 7 years jail time and a $14,000 fine. For the driver’s fourth impaired driving violation within 10 years or anytime following a prior felony DWI or criminal vehicular operation conviction.

The degree with which a person is charged depends on various factors surrounding their case including the number of past offenses within a ten year period and refusal to submit to a blood or breath test. Having a blood alcohol level of .20% or higher and also having a minor below the age of 16 could also influence the degree charged. Regardless of the charge, should you be convicted of a DWI, you could risk facing large fines, higher auto insurance, loss of drivers license, mandatory attendance in a chemical dependency group or jail time. Having a criminal record could dramatically affect a persons job status, future employment opportunities and even their credit score. With so much at stake, it is important that you have a skilled, experienced Minneapolis DWI attorney that will aggressively protect you and your future in court. Minneapolis DWI attorney Marsh Halberg has the knowledge and experience to see that you are treated fairly and honestly.

Administrative Sanctions for a DWI in Minnesota

In addition to criminal penalties incurred from a DWI arrest are three administrative sanctions that can go into effect immediately upon arrest. They are an administrative license revocation, administrative license plate impoundment, and an administrative vehicle forfeiture.

The Administrative License Revocation pertains to the implied consent law during the arrest process where a person’s license may be withdrawn should they fail a chemical blood or breath test or refuse to submit to the test. However, the person can appeal the license revocation either judicially in court or administratively through the DPS. Having a skilled Minneapolis DWI attorney like Marsh Halberg to assist you in this matter could greatly increase the chance of a successful appeal.

Another sanction is the Administrative License Plate Impoundment which involves a violation with an aggravating factor. Plate impoundment applies to the vehicle used in the impoundment violation and any vehicle registered, owned or leased in the name of the offender, whether its alone or jointly.

Administrative Vehicle Forfeiture is another sanction that typically applies to a person’s third DWI violation within ten years. The vehicle forfeiture is conducted administratively, although, the owner has 30 days to appeal the sanction by filing for a judicial determination of the forfeiture.

To fully understand your charges and penalties you could face, it is beneficial to consult with someone who knows Minnesota law like a Minneapolis DWI attorney that works in this field.

Minneapolis DWI lawyers at Halberg Criminal Defense

Since the start of his career, Minneapolis DWI attorney Eric Nelson has earned a reputation as a skilled DWI lawyer with a record of success. He is experienced in representing clients in hundreds of DWI cases. He received his undergraduate degree at Eastern College, cum laude, before earning his Juris Doctorate at Hamline University School of Law. Minneapois DWI attorney Eric Nelson has been named Super-Lawyer Rising Star by his peers and added to the list of Who’s Who in Criminal Law. He also speaks regularly at lectures on various criminal topics throughout the entire State of Minnesota. Along side Marsh Halberg, he was also a contributing author to the Minnesota DWI Deskbook.

For nearly 30 years, Minneapolis DWI attorney Tina Appleby has earned a reputation throughout Minnesota as one of the premier female attorneys with a long record of success in dismissals and jury acquittals in over 2,000 cases. She conducts Continuing Legal Education seminars on the subjects of DWI and expungements to other attorneys frequently. She received her undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota and went on to earn her Juris Doctorate at Hamline University School of Law. She has also been added to the list of Who’s Who in Criminal Law for her outstanding and aggressive legal representation. Minneapolis DWI attorney Tina Appleby believes it is most important that her clients know she did everything possible and reasonable to reach the best outcome for their case and enjoys seeing past clients whose lives are back on track.

Doug Hazelton, Minneapolis DWI attorney, has focused his legal skill and experience exclusively on DWI offenses for 15 years. He received his bachelor’s degree at Antioch College before earning his Juris Doctorate at William Mitchell College of Law. He was also one of only two attorneys to graduate from the prestigious Borkenstein program in the study of alcohol breath testing at Indiana University in the entire state. He regularly lectures on a local and national level on topics including DWI defense. He has also had several of his articles published in publications such as Criminal Defense Techniques, the Police Misconduct and Civil Rights Law Report and the Hennepin Lawyer. His success over the years has earned him the title of Super-Lawyer by his peers and he was also added to the list of Best Lawyers in America.

Lee Orwig, Minneapolis DWI attorney, has a unique history in criminal law that sets him apart from most other attorneys throughout the state. Before practicing law, he mediated in numerous Hennepin County courts and worked for the Ramsey County judiciary. He has experience in felony, misdemeanor, and gross misdemeanor cases. He received his bachelor’s at the University of Wisconsin – Madison before earning his Juris Doctorate at William Mitchell College of Law. Notably, he has also been a leader in source code litigation throughout Minnesota. He is also a lead author of the amicus curiae brief pertaining to source code that was submitted to the Minnesota Federal District Court. Minneapolis DWI attorney Lee Orwig understands the stress and anxiety that take an emotional toll on a person facing DWI charges and works diligently to see that his clients receive the best possible outcome in court.

Minneapolis DWI attorney Jeremy Kaschinske is quickly becoming one of Minnesota’s leading criminal defense lawyers. He successfully argued numerous issues in several state District Courts and the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Before becoming a valuable member of Halberg Criminal Defense, he mediated several Ramsey County Courts and edited legal content at Thomas Reuters. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse before receiving his Juris Doctorate at Hamline University School of Law. Minneapolis DWI attorney Jeremy Kaschinske is highly skilled and experienced in all levels of DWI crimes. He has also served as a mock trial judge throughout Minnesota. He understands that criminal charges or convictions can be devastating to a person’s future prospects which is why he goes above and beyond for all of his clients.

For Top Tier DWI legal representation, contact Marsh Halberg at Halberg Criminal Defense

Minneapolis DWI attorney Marsh Halberg and his legal team have all been recognized by their peers in Minnesota for their first class legal representation. Halberg Criminal Defense’s Minneapolis DWI attorneys are the leaders in DWI education and defense throughout the state. If you or someone you know is facing drunk driving charges, call Marsh Halberg now at (612) 568-0973.