Minnesota Traffic & Driving Offense Defense
Not every traffic charge is just a ticket. Some driving offenses in Minnesota are crimes. A conviction can put a misdemeanor, or even a felony, on your record. It can cost you your license, your job, and thousands of dollars.
At Lundgren & Johnson, we defend drivers across Minnesota as part of our criminal defense practice. We handle driving after suspension, revocation, and cancellation, driving without insurance, fleeing a peace officer, and careless and reckless driving. Our office answers the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Call (612) 767-9643 for a free consultation.
When a traffic offense becomes a crime
In Minnesota, minor violations like speeding are petty misdemeanors. They are not crimes. But some driving offenses are charged as misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, or felonies. These stay on your criminal record for life.
A misdemeanor carries up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. A gross misdemeanor carries up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine. A felony carries more than one year in prison. Where your case lands changes everything. Learn more about misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor defense.
Common criminal traffic charges we handle
Driving after suspension, revocation, or cancellation are some of the most common crimes charged in the state. If you drive while your license is suspended, revoked, or canceled, you can be charged. Most of these charges are misdemeanors. A conviction also adds at least 30 more days without a license.
Driving without insurance, or without proof of insurance, is a separate charge. Minnesota law makes every driver carry insurance and show proof when an officer asks. If you cannot show proof, you can be charged with a misdemeanor, even if you had coverage. The court must order a fine of at least $200. A third offense within ten years can be a gross misdemeanor. A conviction can also cost you your license for up to 12 months.
Fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle is a felony in Minnesota. The base charge carries up to three years and one day in prison and a $5,000 fine. The penalty climbs if the chase injures or kills someone, up to 40 years. A conviction also revokes your license. Fleeing on foot, without a vehicle, is only a misdemeanor.
Penalty overview
| Charge | Level | Max jail | Max fine | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driving after suspension or revocation (DAS/DAR) | Misdemeanor | 90 days | $1,000 | Adds 30+ days without a license |
| Driving after cancellation (basic) | Misdemeanor | 90 days | $1,000 | |
| Driving after cancellation – inimical to public safety, or interlock violation | Gross misd. | 364 days | $3,000 | Often tied to repeat DWI |
| No insurance / no proof of insurance | Misdemeanor | 90 days | $1,000 | $200 min fine; license revoked up to 12 mo.; 3rd in 10 yrs = gross misd. |
| Fleeing a peace officer in a vehicle | Felony | 3 yrs + 1 day | $5,000 | Base charge; up to 40 yrs if injury or death; specific-intent; license revoked |
| Fleeing on foot | Misdemeanor | 90 days | $1,000 |
Sources: Minn. Stat. 171.24, 169.791, 169.797, 609.487, 609.03.
The driving after cancellation trap
Some licenses are canceled as inimical to public safety. This often happens after a third DWI. If your license was canceled this way and you drive, the charge is a gross misdemeanor, not a misdemeanor. Driving against an ignition interlock rule can also raise the charge to a gross misdemeanor. Many people do not know their license was canceled this way until they are charged. Repeat DWI cases can also lead to a felony DWI charge.
Why these charges pile up
License charges can turn into a cycle. Getting a revoked license back costs money in state fees. Alcohol-related cases cost the most, with a reinstatement fee plus a surcharge. When people cannot pay, some keep driving. Then they get charged again. Each new charge can add jail time, fines, and a longer wait without a license. We work to stop that cycle early.
How we defend criminal traffic charges
Every case is different. Some common defenses include the following.
- Notice. For a license charge, the state must show you were told about the suspension or cancellation.
- Intent. The state must prove the “intent to attempt to elude a peace officer.” Not stopping fast enough is not the same as fleeing.
- Insurance defenses. If you were driving someone else’s car, you may have a defense if you did not know it was uninsured. Owners have a defense if the car was used without permission.
- The stop itself. If the traffic stop was not legal, we can ask the court to throw out the evidence.
We read the police reports, review the stop, and check your driving record. Then we build a plan aimed at protecting your license and your record.
Serving drivers across Minnesota
We represent drivers in Minneapolis and Hennepin County. We also handle cases in Ramsey, Washington, Dakota, Scott, Carver, and Anoka counties. We take serious cases across all of Minnesota, including Greater Minnesota. Video consultations are available.
Frequently asked questions
Is driving after suspension a crime in Minnesota?
Yes. It is usually a misdemeanor. That means up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. It also adds at least 30 more days without a license. A lawyer can often help you fight the charge or lower it.
Can I be charged for no insurance if I actually have it?
Yes. If you cannot show proof when an officer asks, you can still be charged. You may be able to clear it up by showing proof you had coverage at the time.
Is fleeing the police always a felony?
No. Fleeing in a vehicle is a felony. Fleeing on foot is a misdemeanor. The state must also prove you meant to get away.
Do you take traffic cases after hours or on weekends?
Yes. Our office answers calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Call (612) 767-9643 to speak with us now.
Do you handle cases outside Minneapolis?
Yes. We defend drivers across Minnesota. That includes the seven-county metro and Greater Minnesota.
Charged With a Criminal Traffic Offense in Minnesota?
A criminal traffic charge can follow you for years. You do not have to face it alone. Call Lundgren & Johnson at (612) 767-9643 for a free, confidential consultation. We answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.