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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Rochester, MN

Our Recommended Top 10

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Rochester criminal defense lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

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Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

313 West 6th Street, Saint Charles, MN 55972

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.8 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Ryan Associates LLC near Rochester offers complete criminal defense services for area defendants with a focus on representation of clients facing felony charges in Minnesota state court. The firm has 40 years of criminal defense experience, including the defense of clients accused of theft, sex crimes, drug crimes, and internet crimes. Attorney Ryan is a member of the American Association for Justice and the Minnesota State Bar Association, among other professional organizations.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
James Ryan - Owner /Senior MemberActive46 yrs

828 7th Street Northwest, Rochester, MN 55901

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Patrick Arendt Criminal Defense has more than 20 years of experience providing defense services for clients in the Rochester area. The firm handles all type of cases, including sexual misconduct, controlled substance offenses, terrorism, and theft. Founding attorney Patrick Arendt has been practicing in Minnesota since 1996. He's a member of the Minnesota State Bar. Mr. Arendt strives to ensure all of his clients have their chance at a fair trial.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Patrick Arendt - Principal / Founding AttorneyActive29 yrs

300 1st Avenue Northwest, Rochester, MN 55901

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Godwin Adkins advocates for the rights of the people of Rochester. It provides legal representation to individuals accused of criminal offenses, including domestic assault, burglary, firearm and tax crimes, financial exploitation, and manslaughter. It also handles traffic-related offenses, vehicular homicide charges, and controlled substance crimes. One of its lawyers, Jay S. Adkins, is admitted to practice law before the Minnesota Supreme Court. He is also a member of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jay Adkins - PartnerActive11 yrs
James Godwin - PartnerActive14 yrs
Rick Dold - PartnerActive12 yrs

2746 Superior Drive Northwest, Rochester, MN 55901

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (14)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Austin J. Swisher Law Office helps people in Rochester, Minnesota, who require criminal defense representation. The firm deals with cases involving DUI, theft, assault/domestic violence, sexual conduct, and controlled substances. It formulates various strategies to make sure that each client has the best chance of a favorable outcome in court. The team also assesses details to determine whether a case can be expunged. The firm is led by Austin J. Swisher, who has been in legal practice for over 15 years.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Austin Swisher - PrincipalActive16 yrs

117 East Center Street, Rochester, MN 55904

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.1 (19)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Restovich Braun & Associates offers legal counsel to the Rochester community. With criminal defense as one of its practice areas, the team provides aggressive representation in cases of domestic violence, DUI, drug charges, manslaughter, and white-collar crimes. The firm conducts an analysis of the case details, studies the legal standards in Minnesota, and represents each client in court to help them remove their criminal record or reduce their charges. The eight attorneys at Restovich Braun & Associates use a collaborative approach, leveraging more than 80 years of combined experience in the legal sector.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Thomas Braun - PartnerActive20 yrs

300 3rd Avenue Southeast, Rochester, MN 55904

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Perry Law Office has been fighting for the legal rights and best interests of criminal case defendants in Rochester and other areas in Minnesota for over 37 years. It argues before judges and juries to obtain fair and positive outcomes against the allegations against its clients. The firm looks at each case's facts and gathers proof that its clients were wrongfully charged with a crime. It also advises them on what to say and do during a criminal trial.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jerome Perry - PrincipalActive55 yrs

206 4th Street Southeast, Rochester, MN 55904

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (48)
Avvo
4.8 (24)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Schatz Law Firm handles the legal needs of individuals accused of a crime in Rochester and throughout Minnesota. It provides legal counsel to help defendants better grasp their legal standing and possible strategies to disprove the accusations against them. Additionally, its criminal defense team helps clients increase their odds of having their charges dismissed or reduced by negotiating plea deals with the relevant prosecutors or by arguing before juries and judges. Schatz Law Firm has represented numerous defendants since 2018.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Michael Schatz - PrincipalActive15 yrs

2212 2nd Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55902

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.0 (21)
Google
4.7 (11)
Yelp
3.5 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Protecting the rights of Minnesotans since 2008, Kohlmeyer Hagen Law Office Chtd. defends people in Rochester, including juveniles and students, who have been accused of committing crimes. Its team works on various criminal defense cases, some of which involve embezzlement, fraud, assault, drug crimes, and robbery. One of the firm's founding partners, Thomas K. Hagen, was recognized as the National Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2021 by the National Trial Lawyers Association. He has been included in the Minnesota Monthly List of Top Lawyers since 2022.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jason Kohlmeyer - Partner/FounderActive25 yrs
Thomas Hagen - PartnerActive18 yrs

1812 2nd Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55902

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (49)
Facebook
5.0 (8)
FindLaw
3.5 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Anderson Law Firm provides the services of a criminal defense attorney in Rochester for clients in the city and throughout its nearby areas. The firm tackles all types of criminal cases, including those that involve federal and capital offenses. its skilled attorneys are dedicated to ensuring that clients have fair representation in court and at hearings. Other areas of practice at this firm include family law and estate planning. Attorney Carl Anderson is admitted to practice in state and federal courts throughout Minnesota.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Carl Anderson - Principal / FounderActive36 yrs

38 West Main Street, Dodge Center, MN 55927

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Weber, Leth, and Woessner, PLC, offers criminal defense solutions to people in Rochester, Minnesota, who have been arrested for or suspected of doing criminal acts. It handles several cases, such as theft, domestic abuse, and DUI. It helps defendants navigate the legal system and have a grasp of all the factors that can affect their case. The firm strives to obtain fair resolutions by defending them in front of juries and judges. Brian L. Weber, one of the firm's lawyers, has been in legal practice since 1977.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Timothy Woessner - PartnerActive17 yrs

Compare our Top Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Ryan Associates LLC
313 West 6th Street, Saint Charles, MN 55972
Patrick Arendt Criminal Defense
828 7th Street Northwest, Rochester, MN 55901
Godwin Dold
300 1st Avenue Northwest, Rochester, MN 55901
Austin J. Swisher Law Office
2746 Superior Drive Northwest, Rochester, MN 55901
Restovich Braun & Associates
117 East Center Street, Rochester, MN 55904
Perry Law Office
300 3rd Avenue Southeast, Rochester, MN 55904
Schatz Law Firm
206 4th Street Southeast, Rochester, MN 55904
Kohlmeyer Hagen Law Office Chtd.
2212 2nd Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55902
Anderson Law Firm
1812 2nd Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55902
Weber, Leth and Woessner, PLC
38 West Main Street, Dodge Center, MN 55927

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Rochester, MN Criminal Defense FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Rochester, Minnesota?

    Call (507) 328-6800 for non-emergency concerns in Rochester.

  • Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Rochester, Minnesota?

    You may obtain a copy of a Rochester police report by filing a request at the official website of the city’s Public Records Center: https://rochestermn.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(ulxjw0ni4yo2tjtzfqiznp3k))/supporthome.aspx.

  • Will you go to jail for a misdemeanor in Rochester?

    It depends. Rochester follows Minnesota’s three classifications for misdemeanors. If you were convicted of a petty misdemeanor, you won’t serve time in jail, but you could pay up to $300 in fines. If you were convicted of a misdemeanor, you could stay up to 90 days in jail, pay a fine of up to $1,000, and get a probation period for up to two years. The most serious type of misdemeanor is a gross misdemeanor, which can result in a jail term of up to one year, a fine of up to $3,000, and a period of probation of up to six years.

  • Can juveniles be charged with sex crimes in Rochester?

    Yes, it is possible for juveniles to be charged with sex crimes in Rochester, and if convicted in juvenile court, they could face a potential placement in a juvenile facility, a lengthy sexual predator registration, and required participation in a sex offender treatment program. Moreover, considering the nature of sex crimes, there is always a possibility that the child offender will be tried in the Adult Criminal Court.

  • Can the Rochester police force you to take the breathalyzer or give your blood for a DWI test?

    No, the Rochester police cannot force you to take the breathalyzer or give your blood to test you for DWI, unless you are unconscious. Law enforcement officers must respect your request should you refuse to undergo a DWI test. This also applies to the field sobriety test and the portable breathalyzer administered on the road. If you were forced to take any test, your attorney can argue to suppress the results and take the results out of consideration in a probable cause determination.

  • Can the police enter your Rochester home for a search without a warrant?

    The Rochester police can only legally enter your home if they have your permission, a warrant, or can prove probable cause. As they usually rely on consent, do not give them permission to enter your house and be firm about it, as any evidence they collect after being given consent to enter your home will be admissible in trial.

  • What does expungement do to your criminal record in Rochester?

    Expungement is a legal process where all details of a given arrest and related court proceedings are removed from the publicly available version of your record. Essentially speaking, it hides arrests, charges, and convictions from everyone, including those who wish to run a background check on you. As expungement is not available to all offenders, it would be best to consult a criminal defense attorney to check your eligibility for the process.