Criminal Defense Attorneys in Minneapolis, MN

A criminal charge in Minneapolis, from DWI to a serious felony, is prosecuted by Hennepin County, and the record can follow you for life. A Minnesota-licensed criminal defense attorney practicing in Minneapolis will review your case for free.

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How we match your Minneapolis criminal defense case

When you submit a Minneapolis criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Minnesota law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Minnesota who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

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DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Criminal Defense cases in Minneapolis

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Charges in Minneapolis range from DWI stops on I-94 and downtown nightlife incidents to drug, assault, and theft cases from across the city. The Hennepin County Attorney and the city attorney prosecute, and cases are heard in Hennepin County courts, which process more matters than any other in the state. Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines give early defense work real leverage. DearLegal matches you with a Minnesota-licensed attorney who handles criminal defense cases in Minneapolis, and the initial review is free.

Criminal cases from Minneapolis arrests are heard in Hennepin County courts.
Downtown nightlife and freeway traffic produce many DWI and disorderly conduct arrests in Minneapolis.
Hennepin County’s caseload is the largest in Minnesota, so local defense experience matters.

Minnesota criminal defense rules at a glance

Minneapolis cases run under Minnesota law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Minnesota page.

Read the full Minnesota criminal defense guide →

Felony Statute of Limitations: No limit
No limit for murder; 9 years for most criminal sexual conduct involving children; 3 years for most other felonies; longer for fraud and theft (Minn. Stat. § 628.26)
Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations: 3 years
3 years for most misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors (Minn. Stat. § 628.26(g))
Sentencing Structure: Sentencing Guidelines
Sentencing Guidelines grid (Minn. Stat. § 244.09) — severity level 1-11 crossed with criminal history 0-6+ yields a presumptive commit or stay; career offender enhancement (§ 609.1095); mandatory minimums attach to some firearm and drug offenses
Expungement / Record Sealing: 2 years
Minn. Stat. § 609A — broad eligibility: most misdemeanors after 2 years, gross misdemeanors after 4, certain felonies after 5; the Cannabis Act adds automatic expungement of marijuana convictions
Bail / Pretrial Release: Governed
Governed by Minn. R. Crim. P. 6; constitutional right to bail with exceptions (Minn. Const. Art. I, § 7); many counties run pretrial risk assessments
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Exhibit D

How much do Minneapolis criminal defense attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Minnesota · Criminal Defense

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Criminal Defense matters in Minnesota are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

You won't find contingency fees in Minnesota criminal defense — they're prohibited in criminal cases under Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(d) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Instead, expect a flat fee for misdemeanors and most felonies, with hourly billing reserved for complex matters. If you can't afford counsel, the Minnesota Board of Public Defense oversees state public defender offices that represent indigent defendants statewide.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

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Exhibit F

Minneapolis criminal defense questions, answered

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You will typically appear in Hennepin County court within a short time for a first hearing, where bail and conditions are set. Misdemeanors and felonies move differently. A defense attorney can appear with you, argue for release, and begin reviewing the evidence before you make any decisions.

Strongly recommended. A Minnesota DWI carries license consequences, possible jail, and lasting record effects, and there are separate deadlines to challenge the license revocation. An attorney who handles Hennepin County DWI cases can spot problems with the stop or testing and negotiate a better outcome.

Often. Prosecutors may offer reduced charges, diversion, or continuances for dismissal, especially for first-time and lower-level offenses, and weak evidence can lead to dismissal outright. Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines also shape negotiations. A Minnesota-licensed defense attorney will evaluate your case for these possibilities.

No. Be polite, decline, and ask for a lawyer. Officers with the BCA, Minnesota State Patrol, Minneapolis PD, St. Paul PD, and county sheriff's offices are trained interrogators, and everything you say can be used against you. You have a Fifth Amendment right to stay silent, reinforced by Minn. Const. Art. I, § 7's protection against self-incrimination. Use both.

Almost always. A misdemeanor here carries up to 90 days in jail and $1,000 in fines; a gross misdemeanor up to 364 days and $3,000 under Minn. Stat. § 609.02-.03. More importantly, a lawyer can pursue a Stay of Adjudication or Stay of Imposition, which can mean no conviction at all or a reduced one. And if the charge is DV or DWI, the collateral consequences of a conviction follow you for years.