Minneapolis Felony Lawyer

Trusted felony defense attorneys with over 16 years of criminal law experience.

A felony charge is the most serious type of criminal allegation you can face in Minnesota. The potential consequences include years in prison, tens of thousands of dollars in fines, and a permanent record that restricts your ability to find work, secure housing, vote, and own a firearm. Your Minneapolis, MN felony lawyer at Archambault Criminal Defense has the experience and the prosecutorial background to build a defense that accounts for what you’re up against. We offer free consultations and handle every case on a flat fee basis.

Felony Lawyer Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota draws a hard line between felonies and lesser offenses, and the consequences reflect that distinction. A felony conviction doesn’t just mean a harsher sentence while the case is active. It means a permanent criminal record that shows up on every background check for the rest of your life. It means potential loss of your right to vote while under supervision, your right to possess firearms, and your eligibility for certain professional licenses. Many employers won’t consider applicants with felony convictions, and many landlords screen for them as well. The collateral damage from a felony extends far beyond the courtroom, which is why mounting an aggressive defense from the very beginning matters so much.

Types of Felony Cases We Handle in Minneapolis

Felony charges cover a broad range of criminal conduct in Minnesota, and the potential penalties vary depending on the offense, the circumstances, and the defendant’s prior record. Here are the types of felony matters we handle.

• DWI. A DWI becomes a felony when the driver has multiple prior impaired driving incidents or a previous felony DWI conviction. The consequences include prison time, extended license revocation, and ignition interlock requirements that can last for years. Our founder has handled several thousand DWI cases over the course of his career and brings unmatched familiarity with how these cases are prosecuted and defended.
• Assault. Assault charges escalate to felony level when the alleged conduct involves great bodily harm, a dangerous weapon, or a victim in a protected category. Felony assault convictions carry lengthy prison sentences and can permanently alter the course of your life.
• Domestic assault. When a domestic assault defendant has multiple prior qualifying convictions, or when the alleged conduct involves strangulation or significant injury, the charge is filed as a felony. These cases carry all the standard felony consequences plus the additional complications that come with domestic cases, including no-contact orders, firearm restrictions, and potential impact on custody proceedings.
• Drug crimes. Drug charges become felonies based on the type and quantity of the controlled substance involved. Possession, sale, and manufacturing charges all carry different penalty ranges, and the collateral consequences of a felony drug conviction can include loss of federal student aid and immigration complications. We examine how the evidence was obtained and whether the search and seizure were conducted lawfully.
• Shoplifting. When the value of stolen property exceeds a certain threshold, or when the defendant has prior theft convictions that elevate the charge, theft becomes a felony. Felony theft convictions carry prison time and create a record that makes it extremely difficult to rebuild trust with employers and landlords.
• Burglary. Burglary charges in Minnesota are almost always felonies, and the most serious forms, involving occupied dwellings or weapons, carry some of the heaviest penalties in the criminal code. We scrutinize the evidence of unauthorized entry and criminal intent, because the state has to prove both elements to sustain a conviction.
• Gun crimes. Felony firearm charges can arise from illegal possession, carrying without a permit, or using a firearm during the commission of another offense. The penalties are steep, and mandatory minimum sentences apply in certain situations.
• Criminal vehicular operation. When impaired or reckless driving results in serious injury or death, the state can file criminal vehicular operation or criminal vehicular homicide charges. These are among the most heavily penalized offenses in Minnesota, and they require a defense built on thorough investigation and aggressive challenge of the state’s evidence.

Felony Infographic

Why Choose Archambault Criminal Defense for Felony Defense in Minneapolis, MN?

A Career Devoted Entirely to Criminal Law

Derek Archambault has spent 16 years in the legal profession practicing criminal law. He earned his J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in 2009, finishing as the top student in advanced trial advocacy, and he is admitted to practice before the Minnesota Supreme Court and the U.S. Federal Court for the District of Minnesota.

Derek’s path to defense work came through prosecution. He spent years building and arguing criminal cases for the state, which means he understands how prosecutors approach felony charges from the ground up. He knows what evidence they prioritize, how they evaluate the strength of their case, and where their arguments tend to break down under pressure. When he founded Archambault Criminal Defense, he brought all of that knowledge with him and put it to work for the people sitting on the other side of the courtroom. He has been recognized as a top 100 criminal defense lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers.

If you need a criminal defense lawyer in Minneapolis for a felony charge, Derek’s background gives him a perspective that most defense attorneys don’t have.

Results Across Felony and Serious Criminal Cases

Our case results reflect the kind of outcomes we work toward in serious criminal matters:

• Client charged with criminal vehicular operation after a major accident with a BAC over three times the legal limit. Result: pled to a simple DWI and served 10 days of house arrest with no additional jail time.
• Client under investigation for a felony property damage incident. Result: we presented evidence to the investigating detective demonstrating our client was not responsible, and the investigation was closed without charges being filed.
• Client facing five controlled substance counts alongside a DWI. Result: convicted of careless driving and placed on probation, with all drug charges set for dismissal.

Past results are specific to the facts of those cases and don’t guarantee the same outcome in yours, but they show the kind of reductions and resolutions we fight for.

Understanding Felony Cases

Charges, Penalties, and Defense Strategies for Felony Cases

Felony penalties in Minnesota are governed by the state’s sentencing guidelines, which assign a presumptive sentence based on the severity of the offense and the defendant’s criminal history. The range of possible outcomes stretches from probation with conditions on the lower end to decades in prison on the upper end. Fines can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars, and supervised release conditions after prison can extend for years. The impact of a felony record on your life after the case is resolved is substantial and long-lasting.

Defense strategies in felony cases depend entirely on the facts and the specific charge. We challenge the sufficiency of the evidence, file motions to suppress improperly obtained evidence, question witness credibility, and examine whether the state can actually meet its burden of proof on every element. In cases where the evidence is strong, we negotiate aggressively for reduced charges or sentencing departures that minimize the consequences. Every felony case gets a defense strategy built specifically around its facts, because the stakes are too high for anything less.

Important Aspects in Your Felony Case

The distinction between a felony and a misdemeanor is not just about the potential sentence. It’s about what a conviction means for the rest of your life. Felony convictions restrict firearm ownership, can disqualify you from certain professions, and show up on background checks indefinitely. Understanding the full scope of what you’re facing, not just the criminal penalties but the collateral consequences, is essential for making informed decisions about how to handle your case.

Whether to pursue a plea negotiation or take the case to trial is often the most consequential decision in a felony matter. We walk through the realistic options with you, explain what each path involves, and help you make a decision based on facts rather than fear.

Felony Case Timeline

Felony cases in Minneapolis are heard in Hennepin County District Court and typically take longer to resolve than misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor matters because of the volume and complexity of evidence involved.

• Arrest may happen at the scene or following an investigation, and you may be held in custody until a bail hearing
• A first court appearance is scheduled where charges are formally read and bail or conditions of release are set
• Pretrial hearings are where the bulk of the legal work happens, including discovery, motions to suppress evidence, and plea negotiations
• The case resolves either through a negotiated agreement or at trial, which in felony cases is before a jury

The process can stretch over several months, and in complex cases it can take even longer.

What to Bring to Your Felony Consultation

The more information you bring to your first meeting with a defense attorney, the more effectively we can assess your case and begin building a strategy.

• Charging documents, arrest paperwork, or any correspondence from law enforcement
• Any court orders, including bail conditions or no-contact orders
• Names and contact information for potential witnesses or anyone who can support an alibi
• Your own detailed account of the events in question

The consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.

Minnesota Legal Resources for Felony Cases

Minnesota’s criminal laws are found primarily in Chapter 609 of the state statutes. The resources below provide general information about felony offenses and sentencing, though they’re no substitute for discussing your specific case with a defense attorney.

• The Minnesota Revisor of Statutes publishes the full text of Chapter 609, covering felony offenses and penalties.
• The Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission publishes the felony sentencing guidelines and grids that judges use to determine presumptive sentences.
• The Minnesota Office of Justice Programs provides criminal justice resources and victim services information.
• The Hennepin County District Court website has court locations, case records, and scheduling information for felony cases heard in Minneapolis.
• The Minnesota House Research Department published an overview of Minnesota’s crime victim laws and criminal justice resources.

Reach Out to Archambault Criminal Defense to Schedule a Consultation

A felony charge in Minneapolis, MN is as serious as it gets in the criminal justice system, and the earlier a defense attorney gets involved, the more options you’ll have. We offer free consultations and handle all felony cases on a flat fee with no hidden costs. Contact us to schedule yours today.