Twin Cities Felony DWI Lawyer
Felony DWI charges carry severe consequences: loss of driving privileges, hefty fines, prison time, and long-term impact on your personal and professional life. In Minnesota, prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively, and one misstep can drastically limit your options. Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys provide strategic, problem-solving representation designed to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome.
Our Twin Cities Felony DWI Lawyers operate across Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding area, giving you local knowledge combined with analytical, trial-ready defense. Our approach is practical, evidence-driven, and tailored to every client’s situation.
Why clients choose Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys:
- Decades of experience with felony DWI cases in Minnesota courts
- Tactical, evidence-based defense strategies
- Aggressive motions and challenges to state evidence
- Strong negotiation leverage with prosecutors
- Trial-ready representation in Hennepin and Ramsey County
Call Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys now to protect your future. 952-913-1421.
On This Page
We provide free initial consultations to all clients. To schedule an appointment, contact us Today.
Call Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys now to protect your future.
Understanding Felony DWI Charges in Minnesota
Felony DWI charges in Minnesota carry far more serious consequences than a standard misdemeanor DWI.These charges arise in situations where the law considers the offense particularly dangerous or repeated. Common scenarios include multiple prior DWI convictions, accidents causing injury or death, excessively high blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and instances of child endangerment or other aggravating circumstances.
The penalties for a felony DWI are severe. Convictions can result in lengthy prison sentences, extended probation, substantial fines, community service requirements, and lasting effects on professional licenses, employment opportunities, and personal freedom. The financial and personal impact can be life-altering, which makes immediate, strategic legal representation critical in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and across Minnesota.
Aggravating Factors That Elevate Charges
Certain circumstances automatically elevate a DWI to felony status:
- Prior DWI convictions within the last 10 years
- BAC over .16% at the time of arrest
- Accidents causing serious bodily harm or death
- Driving with a minor in the vehicle
How We Defend Felony DWI Charges
Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys take a strategic, evidence-driven approach to every case. We carefully review all police reports, procedural compliance, and evidence collection to identify errors that may reduce or dismiss charges. Our team aggressively challenges breathalyzer, blood, and field sobriety tests, ensuring that your rights under Minnesota law are fully protected.
We also scrutinize officer conduct, search and seizure practices, and arrest procedures to identify violations that could strengthen your defense. When appropriate, we negotiate alternative resolutions or reduced charges, balancing tactical courtroom strategy with practical outcomes to minimize penalties and protect your future.
Every felony DWI case demands analytical precision, local knowledge of Twin Cities courts, and aggressive legal advocacy, all of which Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys provide to safeguard your rights.
The Felony DWI Defense Process
Felony DWI cases in Minnesota move through a deliberate, high-stakes legal process. Understanding each phase helps you see where strategic intervention can shift the outcome in your favor. A felony-level DWI in Minneapolis or St. Paul does not simply “work itself out.” Prosecutors build cases quickly. Evidence moves fast. You need a defense that moves faster.
The felony DWI legal process generally adheres to the following steps:
- Arrest and initial booking in Minneapolis or St. Paul
- Bail hearing or pretrial release
- Pretrial motions and evidence challenges
- Plea negotiations or trial
When defending your charges, Keller felony DWI defense attorneys will:
Investigate the Evidence
We conduct a precision-level audit of the state’s evidence. Felony DWI cases often rely on technical data, lab procedures, and subjective officer observations. We break down each component to identify weaknesses the prosecution hopes you never find. Our investigation includes:
- Breathalyzer calibration logs to expose maintenance lapses or improper device administration
- Blood test chain of custody to challenge contamination, delays, or faulty lab protocols
- Officer reports and dashcam footage to highlight inconsistencies, missing details, or unlawful conduct
This stage allows us to build leverage early, before the state solidifies its narrative.
Challenge Police Procedure
Police in Minnesota must comply with strict legal requirements for traffic stops, probable cause, and standardized field sobriety testing. If officers took shortcuts, made assumptions, or deviated from protocol, we use those errors to suppress evidence and weaken the prosecution’s case. We analyze:
- Whether the stop was justified
- Whether probable cause truly existed
- Whether testing instructions were properly given
- Whether your rights were violated during questioning
Even one procedural flaw can reshape a felony DWI case.
Negotiation and Resolution
Felony DWI charges demand a tactical negotiation approach. We use early motions, evidentiary challenges, forensic analysis, and procedural defects to force the prosecution into concessions. Our goal: reduce charges, eliminate aggravating factors, or secure non-felony resolutions when possible. Strategic pressure, not passivity, drives better outcomes.
Trial-Ready Representation
If the state refuses reasonable resolution, we move forward with a fully developed trial strategy. Our team prepares aggressively, using expert testimony, evidentiary challenges, and cross-examination to dismantle the state’s case. Whether pursuing dismissal, acquittal, or major charge reduction, we enter trial with one objective: win the fight and protect your future.
Our Client-Focused Approach
Comprehensive Case Review
We analyze your entire legal situation from every angle, evaluating your prior record, the current felony DWI charges, the evidence collected, and the circumstances that led to your arrest. Felony DWI cases in Minnesota involve complex statutory thresholds and enhanced penalties, so our first priority is building a complete picture and identifying every vulnerability in the state’s case. Our review is tactical, data-driven, and designed to quickly uncover inconsistencies, procedural violations, constitutional errors, and leverage points we can use to strengthen your defense.
Key elements of our approach:
- Detailed review of arrest and testing procedures
- Identification of technical and procedural errors
- Strategic pretrial motions to suppress evidence
- Aggressive advocacy in plea negotiations
Each of these steps positions your defense for maximum advantage. We dissect breath, blood, and field sobriety tests with scientific precision. We evaluate whether officers complied with Minnesota’s implied consent laws, constitutional search requirements, and standardized testing protocols. If they didn’t, we use those failures against the prosecution, often leading to suppressed evidence or reduced charges before your case ever reaches trial.
Protecting Your Rights in Minnesota Courts
We operate daily in Hennepin County, Ramsey County, and throughout the Twin Cities metro, giving us first-hand insight into how prosecutors, judges, and probation departments approach felony DWI cases. This local experience matters. Felony DWI outcomes vary widely depending on courtroom dynamics, judicial tendencies, and county-specific policies. Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys leverages this knowledge to anticipate the state’s strategy, counter aggressive prosecution tactics, and secure the most favorable position for you, whether that means dismissal, reduction to gross misdemeanor, or negotiation of an alternative resolution.
Clear Communication
You receive straightforward guidance, consistent updates, and practical explanations of your legal options at every stage. Felony DWI cases move quickly, and confusion only benefits the prosecution. We eliminate uncertainty, give you clarity, and ensure you always know what comes next.
“One mistake shouldn’t define your future. We fight for every option, every defense, every chance to protect your life and freedom.”
Why You Need a Felony DWI Lawyer
Felony DWI charges in Minnesota are not “routine” DUI cases. They come with severe, lasting consequences: prison time, lengthy probation, ignition interlock requirements, asset implications, license loss, and a criminal record that can damage employment, housing, and professional opportunities for years. Without a strategic, highly analytical defense, the system can move fast and aggressively against you. Prosecutors in Minneapolis and St. Paul treat felony DWI cases as high-priority public safety matters, and they build their cases with precision. You need a defense built with even more precision.
Immediate benefits of hiring Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys:
- Early evaluation of evidence and strategy
- Strong challenge to technical errors and procedural missteps
- Access to local resources and expert witnesses
- Focused, trial-ready legal approach
A felony DWI lawyer is essential because these cases escalate quickly. Decisions made in the first days, sometimes the first hours, after your arrest can impact everything that follows: bail, conditions of release, access to treatment programs, and whether the state locks you into aggravating factors that elevate your case. We intervene immediately to control the narrative before prosecutors do.
We understand how Minnesota’s complex DWI statutes interact with field-testing protocols, implied consent laws, and evidentiary rules. A single flaw in the state’s case, like an improperly handled blood sample, an officer’s deviation from standardized testing, or a constitutional violation during the stop, can change the entire outcome of your case. Our role is to find those flaws and weaponize them in your favor.
By hiring Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, you gain a team that negotiates from a position of strength, prepares for trial from day one, and ensures that every strategic decision serves one purpose: protecting your future. In felony DWI cases, the stakes are high, but with the right defense, your options remain open.
Common Defenses Against Felony DWI Charges in Minnesota
Because felony-level DWIs involve higher stakes and damaging criminal records, we use targeted defenses that challenge the very foundation of the state’s evidence.
Felony DWI charges in Minnesota demand a sharp, tactical defense that dismantles the prosecution’s assumptions, exposes weaknesses in the evidence, and forces the state to meet every legal burden. At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, we approach these cases like a strategic chess match. Every move counts. Every detail matters. And every weakness in the state’s case becomes an opportunity to protect your future.
Below are the most effective and commonly used defenses:
Challenging the Traffic Stop
Not all stops are lawful. If police lacked reasonable suspicion for pulling you over, every piece of evidence gathered afterward may be thrown out. We examine dashcam footage, officer reports, and witness statements to expose unlawful stops.
Attacking Breath and Blood Test Accuracy
Breathalyzer machines require strict calibration and maintenance. Blood tests require airtight chain-of-custody procedures. Any deviation, no matter how small, can undermine the reliability of your BAC results. We dig into lab records, operator certifications, and testing logs.
Disputing Field Sobriety Testing
Field sobriety tests are subjective and often administered incorrectly. Weather conditions, medical issues, footwear, and roadway conditions all influence results. We highlight these factors to undermine the state’s interpretation.
Rising Alcohol Defense
Your BAC may have been below the legal limit while driving but rose afterward due to natural alcohol absorption rates. This defense is especially effective when there are delays between the stop and the test.
Challenging Probable Cause for Arrest
Officers must articulate clear probable cause before arresting you. Weak observations, inconsistent statements, or lack of impairment indicators can lead to suppressed evidence.
Violation of Constitutional Rights
If officers failed to read your implied consent advisory, pressured you into testing, or violated your Fourth Amendment rights, we move to suppress all illegally obtained evidence.
Every defense is customized to your facts, your history, and your goals. We don’t just respond to the state’s case, we dismantle it.
FAQs About Felony DWI Cases in Minnesota
What is considered a felony DWI in Minnesota?
A felony DWI usually involves multiple prior offenses, injury, or serious aggravating factors.
Can I avoid jail time for a felony DWI?
With strategic defense, early negotiation, and mitigating factors, jail time may be reduced or avoided.
Do I need a lawyer for a felony DWI?
Felony DWIs carry severe penalties and require an experienced, tactical defense.
How long does a felony DWI case take?
Cases vary, but thorough investigation, motions, and negotiation can extend timelines to several months.
Can prior convictions affect my current case?
Prior DWIs increase penalties and elevate charges to felony status.
Call Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys at 952-913-1421 to protect your future.