Martine Law | Hennepin County, Minnesota

Hennepin County Criminal Defense and DWI Lawyers

Where your Hennepin County case is heard, how DWI Court works, and how our Brooklyn Center office can help.

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Hennepin County courts at a glance

Hennepin County criminal and DWI cases are heard in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District, downtown in Minneapolis and at two suburban courts: Brookdale in Brooklyn Center and Ridgedale in Minnetonka. The suburban courts handle non-felony criminal and traffic cases from the cities they serve. Felonies and treatment courts are downtown. Martine Law’s Brooklyn Center office is near the Brookdale court.

Call (612) 979-1305. Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free. Criminal consultations are free.

Where your Hennepin County case will be heard

  • Downtown Minneapolis, Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S 6th St: felonies, Minneapolis cases and treatment courts.
  • Brookdale (Division 2), 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center 55430: non-felony criminal and traffic cases from northwest Hennepin cities such as Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Robbinsdale and Rogers.
  • Ridgedale (Division 3), 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka 55305: non-felony criminal and traffic cases from western Hennepin cities such as Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Plymouth, St. Louis Park and Wayzata.
  • Jail: Hennepin County Adult Detention Center, 401 S 4th Ave, Minneapolis 55415.
  • License revocation petitions for offenses in Hennepin County are filed in Hennepin County District Court.

Your hearing notice lists the exact location. Some suburban cities are heard downtown.

Hennepin County DWI Court

Hennepin County runs a DWI Court for repeat DWI offenders. It is a voluntary program after conviction that lasts at least 18 months and combines judicial supervision, intensive community supervision, frequent testing and long-term treatment. Referral goes through a screening process. Hennepin County also runs Drug Court, Criminal Mental Health Court and Veterans Court.

DWI in Hennepin County: the first 60 days

  • Two cases start at once: the criminal DWI case in district court and the civil license revocation by the Department of Public Safety.
  • After a breath test failure or refusal, the officer’s notice serves as a temporary license for 14 days (Minn. Stat. 169A.52, subd. 7). After a blood or urine test taken under a search warrant, the temporary license lasts 7 days (Minn. Stat. 171.177).
  • To challenge the revocation in court, you must file a petition for judicial review within 60 days of receiving the notice and order of revocation, in the district court of the county where the offense happened (Minn. Stat. 169A.53, subd. 2; 171.177, subd. 11).
  • With no prior impaired driving incident in the past 20 years, the revocation is at least 90 days for a test failure, at least one year for a test result of twice the legal limit (0.16) or more, and at least one year for a refusal (Minn. Stat. 171.178, subds. 3 and 4).
  • Vehicle forfeiture applies to a first-degree DWI or to a DWI or license revocation within ten years of the first of two prior impaired driving incidents (Minn. Stat. 169A.63). License plate impoundment applies to a revocation within ten years of a prior incident or a test result of 0.16 or more, among other triggers (Minn. Stat. 169A.60).

Learn more on our license revocation page and our Minnesota DWI defense page.

Charges we defend in Hennepin County

Charged in Minneapolis? See our Minneapolis criminal defense page.

Our Hennepin County office

Meetings are by appointment, in person, by phone or by video. Call (612) 979-1305. Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free. Criminal consultations are free.

Talk to us today

Call (612) 979-1305 or request a case review below. Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free. Criminal consultations are free.

This page is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Contacting Martine Law does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, court locations and procedures can change; check your hearing notice.

Criminal defense services are provided by Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorneys PLLC.

Hennepin County Criminal Defense and DWI questions

Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor DWIs from suburban cities are usually heard at the suburban court that serves that city (Brookdale in Brooklyn Center or Ridgedale in Minnetonka). Minneapolis cases and felony DWIs are heard downtown at the Government Center. Your notice lists the location.

A voluntary treatment court for repeat DWI offenders that lasts at least 18 months after conviction and combines treatment, testing and close supervision by a judge. Eligibility is decided through a screening process.

Usually the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center at 401 S 4th Ave in downtown Minneapolis. Call (612) 979-1305 for help with the first appearance. Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.

60 days after receiving the notice and order of revocation, by petition filed in Hennepin County District Court.

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