Traffic Violations Lawyer
Traffic violations in Minnesota can lead to expensive fines, increased insurance premiums, license suspensions, and even jail time. For professional drivers with a CDL, delivery drivers, and people who work for rideshare companies, too many traffic tickets can mean the loss of your job.
Our traffic violations lawyers provide experienced legal representation to individuals facing traffic-related charges. Our team is dedicated to protecting your rights, minimizing penalties, and helping you achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Whether it’s a minor infraction or a serious offense, we have the experience to guide you through Minnesota’s legal system and help defend against the consequences of a traffic violation conviction.
Attorney Max Keller has appeared in the courts of over 50 Minnesota counties, and has handled over a thousand driving-related cases with the office of the Minnesota attorney general and in private practice.
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Common Traffic Violations in Minnesota
In Minnesota, traffic violations range from minor infractions to serious offenses that can lead to significant penalties. Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys handle a wide variety of traffic cases, including:
Speeding Violations
Speeding is one of the most common traffic violations in Minnesota. Whether it’s a minor infraction or excessive speeding, these charges can result in fines, points on your license, and increased insurance costs. If you are facing a speeding ticket, we can assess your case and explore options for getting the charges reduced or dismissed entirely.
Reckless or Careless Driving
Reckless and careless driving are serious offenses in Minnesota, often leading to harsher penalties than typical infractions. These charges may involve dangerous driving behavior, such as excessive speeding, weaving through traffic, or failing to yield. A conviction for reckless or careless driving can lead to heavy fines, license suspension, and even jail time. Our attorneys are skilled in challenging these charges to minimize the impact on your record.
Driving Without a Valid License
Operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license can result in significant penalties, including fines and a possible suspension or revocation of your driving privileges. We can help you understand the legal consequences of a conviction and work toward resolving the charges, often through reduced penalties or alternative outcomes.
DUI and DWI Offenses
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offense in Minnesota that can lead to jail time, license suspension, and costly fines. Our attorneys have over 25 years of experience in DUI and DWI defense, and we are committed to building strong cases that protect our clients’ rights and driving records.
License Suspensions and Revocations
Losing your driving privileges can significantly impact your daily life, from commuting to work to running errands. If your license is at risk of suspension or revocation, we can help you understand your options and work to retain or restore your driving privileges.
Other Common Violations
- Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign or Red Light
- Passing a Stopped School Bus
- Failing to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle
- Driving Without Insurance
- Texting While Driving
- Hit and Run Incidents
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Legally Reviewed By
Max A. Keller
Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.
We provide free initial consultations to all clients. To schedule an appointment, contact us Today.
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Our team is equipped to handle these and other traffic-related cases, providing a knowledgeable and strategic approach to traffic law in Minnesota. Call (952) 913-1421.
What Are Your Rights During a Traffic Stop in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
What Are Enhanced Charges?
In traffic violations cases, enhanced charges refer to elevated or more severe charges applied under certain aggravating circumstances. These enhancements typically result in harsher penalties, such as higher fines, longer license suspensions, and, in some cases, jail time. Enhanced charges may apply if the violation includes specific factors that increase the risk of harm to others or indicates a pattern of dangerous driving behavior.
Common Reasons for Enhanced Charges in Traffic Violations
- Repeat Offenses
Drivers with multiple traffic violations on their record may face enhanced charges, as courts consider repeated infractions a sign of habitual risky behavior. For instance, if a driver has prior DUI convictions, a new DUI charge may be classified as an enhanced offense. - Excessive Speeding
Driving significantly over the speed limit, such as 20-30 mph or more above the posted limit, can lead to enhanced penalties. In some states, extreme speeding is classified as reckless driving, with steeper consequences. - DUI with Aggravating Factors
In cases of driving under the influence, enhanced charges may apply if the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is well above the legal limit, if they were driving with a minor in the vehicle, or if they caused an accident resulting in injury or death. - Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License
If a person drives after their license has been suspended or revoked due to previous violations, the charge can be enhanced, potentially leading to longer suspensions, increased fines, or jail time. - Hit and Run
Leaving the scene of an accident, particularly if it involves injury or property damage, often results in enhanced charges that carry more significant penalties. - Reckless or Aggressive Driving
Reckless or aggressive driving behaviors—such as tailgating, weaving through traffic, or racing—can result in enhanced charges, as they pose a heightened risk to public safety.
Aggravated Circumstances
When enhancing circumstances exist, law enforcement will mark the “endangerment” box on the ticket. Marking it as involving endangerment elevates the violation from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor crime. Our traffic violations lawyers will carefully review the circumstances of your stop and ticket issuance to ensure your rights were upheld, and that you were appropriately ticketed.
Traffic Violations and Criminal Penalties
The penalties you may face for traffic violations in Minnesota vary based on the offense, and whether enhancement circumstances exist. A misdemeanor offense generally carries a penalty of fines, jail time, or both. In addition, traffic offenses can result in temporary or permanent loss of driving privileges, a criminal record, and increased insurance premiums.
Contact a Minnesota traffic violations lawyer at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys for help.
Offenses Involving Commercial Vehicle Operators
Operating large vehicles, often over long distances, commercial truck drivers face a unique set of traffic regulations. As such, violations can lead to severe criminal, administrative, and professional consequences.
CDL Holders and Traffic Violations
CDL holders are held to higher standards than drivers of passenger cars and trucks. Therefore, traffic violations involving these drivers often carry more serious penalties as compared to regular drivers. For instance, CDL holders may be fined greater amounts, receive a suspension or revocation of their license for a single violation, or have their vehicles placed out-of-service if they are charged with traffic violations.
Occupational Consequences
Beyond the immediate criminal penalties they face, commercial truck drivers and their employers may have long-term consequences due to traffic violations. Such offenses can damage drivers’ reputations and company images, lead to job loss, and cause higher insurance costs.
Traffic Violations for Out-of-State Residents
As an out-of-state resident, getting a traffic ticket in Minnesota can be a complex situation. While some violations need only payment of a small fee to resolve, others may require your appearance in court to address. Our attorneys will help you address your traffic ticket in Minneapolis to avoid additional penalties and issues.
Before you simply pay that traffic ticket, talk to an attorney
Contact Us
If you face a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor traffic violation, call our law firm to protect your rights. We accept credit cards, offer free initial consultations, and have convenient west and east metro locations.
Call Max Keller at (952) 913-1421. We are available 24 hours a day to current and prospective clients.
