Ramsey County Criminal Defense and DWI Lawyers

Ramsey County courts at a glance

Criminal and DWI cases from Ramsey County are heard in Minnesota’s Second Judicial District. Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases from the suburban cities go to the Ramsey County Suburban Court at 2050 White Bear Ave in Maplewood. Felonies, St. Paul cases and in-custody hearings are handled in downtown St. Paul at the Law Enforcement Center (425 Grove St) and the Courthouse (15 W Kellogg Blvd). Martine Law has two Ramsey County offices, in White Bear Lake and Shoreview.

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 Ramsey County case will be heard

• Suburban Court, 2050 White Bear Ave, Maplewood 55109: petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases charged in suburban Ramsey County cities.
• Law Enforcement Center, 425 Grove St, St. Paul 55101, and Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul 55102: felonies, St. Paul cases and in-custody hearings. Check your notice for the courtroom.
• License revocation petitions for offenses in Ramsey County are filed in Ramsey County District Court.

Ramsey County DWI Court and other treatment courts

Ramsey County runs a DWI Court for repeat offenders. The court lists these eligibility points: age 18 or older; 3 or more DWIs in a lifetime; arrested in Ramsey County and charged with a gross misdemeanor or felony; a diagnosis of moderate to severe substance use disorder; and willingness and availability to participate. Ramsey County residents are preferred, and others are considered case by case. The county also runs other treatment courts, including mental health and veterans courts. We assess whether a treatment court is a better path than a standard sentence in your case.

DWI in Ramsey 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 Ramsey County

• DWI, from a first offense to felony DWI
• Assault and domestic assault
• Orders for protection and no contact orders
• Drug charges
• Theft and shoplifting
• Sex crimes
• Felonies, gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors
• Probation violations
• Expungement (sealing an old record)

Our Ramsey County offices

• White Bear Lake: 4525 White Bear Pkwy, Suite 205, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
• Shoreview: 3450 Lexington Ave N, Suite 112, Shoreview, MN 55126

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.