Minneapolis Felony Lawyer
Hire Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys to Defend Your Freedom
A felony conviction in Minnesota can result in prison time, fines, and long-term consequences that affect employment, housing, and firearm rights. If you’re facing charges, you need our powerful criminal defense team to protect your future.
At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, our felony lawyers have defended Minnesotans in state and federal felony cases since 1997. We bring the experience, skill, and insight of former prosecutor Max Keller and criminal lawyer Barry Edwards to the table to deliver a strategy designed to minimize your penalties or eliminate your charges altogether.
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the founding attorney of Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, brings a unique advantage to the table in drug crime cases. For roughly five years, Max served as a prosecutor for the Attorney General’s Office in Minnesota. During this time, he became familiar with the tactics used by the other side to put alleged defendants behind bars. Pledging to defend the people of Minnesota, Max learned to anticipate the State’s legal strategies and prepare for them.
Max soon joined forces with Barry S. Edwards, another top criminal defense attorney in Minneapolis, to help strengthen his defense team even more. Mr. Edwards brings approximately two decades of extensive negotiation and litigation experience to the law firm.
As members of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice (MSCJ), Max and Barry are among the best criminal defense attorneys in the state.
- Do not speak to police
- Do not consent to searches
- Speak with a felony defense lawyer immediately
Call: (952) 913-1421 Now.
We provide free initial consultations to all clients. To schedule an appointment, contact us Today.
the founding attorney of Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, brings a unique advantage to the table in drug crime cases. For roughly five years, Max served as a prosecutor for the Attorney General’s Office in Minnesota. During this time, he became familiar with the tactics used by the other side to put alleged defendants behind bars. Pledging to defend the people of Minnesota, Max learned to anticipate the State’s legal strategies and prepare for them.
Max soon joined forces with Barry S. Edwards, another top criminal defense attorney in Minneapolis, to help strengthen his defense team even more. Mr. Edwards brings approximately two decades of extensive negotiation and litigation experience to the law firm.
As members of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice (MSCJ), Max and Barry are among the best criminal defense attorneys in the state.
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What Types of Cases Does a Felony Lawyer Handle?
At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, our felony lawyers represent clients in state and federal courts across a wide range of serious criminal matters.
- Weapons Charges
- Minnesota Sexual Assault
- Theft
- Burglary
- Robbery
- Domestic Violence
- Federal Crimes
- Vehicular Homicide and
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- Felony DWI’s
If you are facing felony charges, having a lawyer who understands how these cases are prosecuted in Minnesota courts can make a meaningful difference. A felony defense attorney at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys can evaluate your situation and explain your options. Call (952) 913-1421.
Contact a Minnesota appellate lawyer at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys for help challenging your conviction.
How Are Felony Charges Sentenced?
In Minnesota, a felony is any criminal offense punishable by more than one year in prison. Unlike some states, Minnesota does not divide felony charges into separate classes. Instead, sentencing is determined using statutory maximums and the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines.
Sentencing for a felony offense in Minnesota involves consideration of the defendant’s criminal history, the circumstances and nature of the crime, the maximum statutory sentence, and the sentencing grid
Minnesota Felony Offense Sentencing Process
The sentencing process for Minnesota felony offenses generally proceeds as follows:
A defendant is found guilty of a felony offense through a plea agreement or a trial verdict.
After conviction, the court orders a pre-sentence investigation. A probation officer or the Department of Corrections reviews the defendant’s criminal history, background, and the circumstances of the offense. The PSI also considers the impact of the crime and provides sentencing recommendations to the court.
At sentencing, the court decides whether to impose a sentence or grant a stay of imposition.
- When a sentence is imposed, the court formally pronounces the sentence.
- A stay of imposition delays sentencing. If the defendant successfully completes probation, the offense may later be treated as a misdemeanor on the criminal record.
If a sentence is imposed, the court must decide whether it will be executed or stayed.
- Executing a sentence means the defendant serves the sentence, often involving prison time.
- A stay of execution allows the defendant to avoid incarceration as long as all probation conditions are met.
When a stay of imposition or execution is granted, the court typically places the defendant on probation with specific conditions. Violating probation can result in the sentence being imposed or executed, which may lead to jail or prison time.
Understanding how felony sentencing works is critical, because early legal strategy can affect whether a sentence is imposed, stayed, or reduced under Minnesota law.
What Happens After You Are Arrested for a Felony?
After a felony arrest in Minnesota, the case moves through several required court stages. While timelines can vary, most felony cases follow a similar process. Understanding what happens next can help you make informed decisions early in your case.
Although a criminal case timeline may vary, felony cases generally follow a similar structure.
What Is an Arraignment?
An arraignment is a defendant’s first court appearance after a felony arrest. During the arraignment, the court:
- Formally reads the charges
- Advises the defendant of constitutional rights
- Accepts an initial plea
- Addresses bail, release conditions, and future court dates
This hearing is often the first opportunity for a felony defense attorney to advocate for favorable release terms and protect the defendant’s rights early in the case.
Common Legal Defenses in Criminal Law
After your arrest, your felony criminal defense attorney will review your case and determine which defenses apply to your circumstances. While an attorney may take a variety of approaches to prove your innocence or reduce your charges, there are several common felony defenses available that he or she may choose from. These include:
- Establishing your innocence.
- Demonstrating a violation of your constitutional rights.
- Presenting evidence that supports your alibi.
- Proving that your actions were taken in defense of yourself or others.
- Demonstrating you had a lack of intent to commit a crime, often relating to voluntary or involuntary intoxication or mistakes of facts or laws.
- Proving that you committed the crime under duress or coercion.
- Establishing that the crime was committed out of necessity, whether to prevent a more significant crime or harm to others.
- Proving police entrapped you into committing a crime that you otherwise would not have committed.
- Establishing that the age of the defendant made him or her incapable of knowingly committing a crime.
- Demonstrating that the statute of Limitations has run out, and you can no longer be prosecuted.
When the above defenses are unlikely to apply to your case, your attorney may advise you to accept a plea bargain for a lesser charge.
What Is a Plea Bargain in a Felony Case?
A plea bargain is an agreement in which a defendant pleads guilty to a reduced charge or receives a sentencing recommendation in exchange for resolving the case without trial. Plea negotiations can occur at various stages of a felony case and may depend on the strength of the evidence, legal issues, and sentencing exposure.
A criminal defense attorney can explain whether a plea agreement is advisable and how it may affect long-term consequences under Minnesota law.
How to Get Felony Charges Dropped in Minnesota
Defendants can get felony charges reduced or dropped by using common legal defenses in Minnesota. A felony defense lawyer evaluates whether dismissal or reduction may be possible based on the facts, evidence, and procedures used in the case.
Common Reasons Felony Charges May Be Dropped or Reduced
Felony charges in Minnesota may be dismissed or reduced when:
- There is insufficient evidence to establish probable cause or prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt
- Evidence was obtained unlawfully, including through illegal searches or seizures
- Constitutional rights were violated, such as improper questioning or failure to provide required warnings
- Key witnesses are unreliable or unavailable, weakening the prosecution’s case
- Legal or procedural errors undermine the validity of the charges
Evidence obtained in violation of a defendant’s constitutional rights may be excluded from court. When critical evidence is suppressed, prosecutors may be unable to proceed with the case.
Other Possible Case Outcomes
In some situations, felony charges may be resolved without a full trial through alternative legal outcomes, including:
- Reduction of charges through plea negotiations
- Participation in a pretrial diversion or alternative sentencing program, when available
- Cooperation agreements in limited circumstances
The availability of these options depends on the nature of the offense, the defendant’s criminal history, and the strength of the prosecution’s evidence.
Why Early Legal Review Matters
Whether felony charges can be dropped often depends on decisions made early in the case. A defense attorney may file motions challenging probable cause, suppressing evidence, or dismissing charges based on legal defects.
At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, our felony lawyers review arrests, searches, and charging decisions carefully to determine whether dismissal, reduction, or alternative resolutions may be appropriate under Minnesota law.
Call (952) 913-1421.
Felony Defense FAQs
What Do I Do if I Was Arrested?
If you are arrested for a felony in Minnesota, you should clearly invoke your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney. Do not answer questions or make statements to law enforcement before speaking with a felony defense lawyer. Anything you say can be used against you later, even if you believe you are helping your case.
Can a Lawyer Help Me Even if I Plan to Plead Guilty?
Yes. A felony defense lawyer can still help even if you intend to plead guilty. An attorney can explain the consequences of a plea, negotiate sentencing terms, challenge certain evidence, and help reduce the long-term impact of a felony conviction under Minnesota law.
What Should I Do if There’s a Warrant for My Arrest?
You should consult an attorney right away if there is a warrant for your arrest. Your attorney can help you arrange an appearance to address the warrant.
We provide free initial consultations to all clients. To schedule an appointment, contact us Today.
Felony Defense Resources
Learn More About Felony Charges in Minnesota
Helpful Links for Defendants in Minnesota
- Do not speak to police
- Do not consent to searches
- Speak with a felony defense lawyer immediately
Call: (952) 913-1421 Now.