Minnesota DWI Lawyer Cost: Fees and How to Choose
What a Minnesota DWI defense attorney does, what they typically charge, and what to ask before you hire one.
What a Minnesota DWI Attorney Can Do For You
Review the Evidence
Look at how the traffic stop, the field sobriety tests and the breath or blood test were carried out, and whether each followed the rules.
Discuss Charge Options
Explain whether a plea to a lesser charge is available in Minnesota and what it would mean for you, where the facts and local practice allow one.
Handle the License Hearing
Request and handle the separate DMV administrative hearing. The deadline to ask for it can be short, so it is worth raising at the first conversation.
Speak for You at Sentencing
Present treatment, education and work circumstances to the court where the law gives the judge discretion over the sentence.
The DMV Hearing Deadline Is Time-Sensitive
In Minnesota, you have 60 days from when you receive the suspension notice to ask a court to review the license suspension (Minn. Stat. § 169A.53, subd. 2). Check the notice you received at arrest for the exact date, and raise it with an attorney right away.
Minnesota DWI Attorney Fees
Attorney fees in Minnesota for a first-offense DWI typically range from $2,500 to $10,000 for cases that resolve without trial. Cases involving accidents, high BAC, or repeat offenses cost more, and felony cases or cases that go to trial cost more again.
Use our Minnesota DWI Attorney Cost Calculator to estimate fees for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a DWI attorney in Minnesota?
You are not legally required to hire an attorney for a DWI charge in Minnesota, and you can ask for a public defender if you cannot afford one. A private DWI defense attorney can explain the charge, review how the stop and the testing were done, handle the separate license hearing, and tell you what outcomes are realistic in your county.
How much does a DWI attorney cost in Minnesota?
DWI defense attorney fees in Minnesota typically range from $2,500 to $10,000 for a first offense that resolves without trial. Accidents, a high BAC, a prior offense, a felony charge or a trial all raise the fee.
What should I look for in a Minnesota DWI attorney?
Look for an attorney who regularly handles DWI cases in Minnesota, knows the courts in your county, and explains their fees and approach up front. Ask whether the fee covers the license (DMV) hearing as well as the criminal case. The deadline to request that hearing can be short, so check the date on the paperwork you were given.