Minneapolis DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyers

Law Office of Richard P. Ohlenberg

Park Place East
5775 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 700
St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55416
USA

(952) 525-2242

(952) 525-2257

ohlenbergatlaw.com

Contact Mr. Richard P. Ohlenberg

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Law Firm Overview

The Law Firm of Richard P.

Ohlenberg is a dedicated criminal defense law firm that has raised successful defenses in courthouses around the state, including clients and District Courts in Burnsville, Eagan, Hastings, Mendota Heights, Apple Valley and Rosemount in Dakota County, Shakopee and Prior Lake in Scott County, Chaska and Chanhassen in Carver County, Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Saint Paul and Ramsey County, and the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Richard P. Ohlenberg is a successful criminal defense attorney with jury acquittals, dismissals, and positive resolutions in over 700 criminal cases including: drugs, criminal sexual conduct, theft, assault, and DWI/traffic offenses. Whether you are accused of misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony level charges, firm founder, Richard P. Ohlenberg will use his 14 years of criminal defense experience to obtain a successful resolution of your case. He will keep you fully informed as to the progress of your case, and the options you have at each step along the way. He will give you the advice you need to make the decisions you need to make.

Our firm knows that it is not enough for the lawyer to understand and be up to speed on the case. The client must also feel comfortable that he or she is being vigorously represented by his or her lawyer and that he or she is being kept informed about the progress that is being made on the case. Let Richard P. Ohlenberg put his experience to work for you. Mr. Ohlenberg serves the entire Twin Cities Metro area from his office in St. Louis Park.

Year this Office was Established: 1997

Areas of Law

Additional Areas of Law: Criminal Vehicular Operation; License Revocation; Bail / Jail Release; Detox Release Prior to 48 hours; Contest CHIPS Proceedings; Contest Orders for Protection (OFPs); Contest Harassment Restraining Orders (HROs).

Areas of Law Description

Atty. Richard Ohlenberg provides legal assistance on the following areas of practice:

- DWI / DUI

It is important that a person with a DWI charge seek the help of an experienced attorney shortly after being cited for a DWI/DUI because if the defendant misses a deadline he or she loses the opportunity to contest the revocation or cancellation of his or her driver's license. In addition to the civil side of an attorney working to preserve your license, we can also challenge the circumstances and or evidence around your DWI arrest.

- DWI Vehicle Forfeitures

There is a presumption when a family member is involved, and the vehicle has been seized due to a repeat DWI that owner is "presumed to know" of any illegal vehicle use by the offender. The innocent owner can request a hearing within 60 days of the when he receives notice of the seizure and can request a hearing to challenge this forfeiture on the basis that he is an "innocent owner."

- Drug Charges

Drug charges are also known as controlled substance crimes. There are five levels of controlled substance offenses, ranging from: fifth degree controlled substance crime, which is the least serious, up to a first degree controlled substance crime, the most serious. Generally, controlled substance crimes are felony offenses.

- Assault Charges

There are five levels of assault offenses under Minnesota law, and convictions for first and second degree assault generally result in commitment to prison. Fifth degree and first time domestic assault charges are generally misdemeanor level offenses, but can have strict consequences.

- Burglary & Theft

A burglary or theft charge is a very serious charge. Burglary charges range from felony first degree burglary, which is the most serious burglary charge, down to first degree burglary, which is a gross misdemeanor level offense. The severity level of a burglary charge generally depends on a number of factors.

- Sex Crimes

There are five levels of criminal sexual conduct crimes. First degree criminal sexual conduct is the most serious felony level sex crime, and fifth degree gross misdemeanor criminal sexual conduct is the least serious criminal sexual conduct offense. Criminal sexual conduct convictions can result in commitment to prison or to the county jail for a period of time.

- Juvenile Offenses

If a child under the age of 18 is accused of a crime, the case will begin in juvenile court. Juvenile courts have a number of goals including, but not limited to, rehabilitation of the child, as well as appropriate punishment for, and correction of, the child's behavior. Juveniles generally do not have the right to a jury trial unless they are tried as adults.

- Criminal Vehicle Operation

CVO or criminal vehicular operation charges are generally filed in cases where there are allegations that: a driver was over the legal alcohol limit, drove in a negligent manner while under the influence of alcohol, or when the individual was involved in an automobile crash where someone other than the driver was hurt.

- Bail / Jail Release

If the person who is taken into custody remains in jail, he or she must be brought in front of a judge to determine the conditions of his or her release. At the bail hearing, a judge will determine if a defendant will be released on his or her own recognizance with the promise to appear in court.

- Detox Release Prior to 48 Hours

Typically when the police take a person to a Detox facility, he or she must remain there for 48 hours for observation and to become sober. The police generally take a person to detox when they believe that his or her blood alcohol level is over .20. In certain cases where a person has become sober and needs to get to work or school or get back home for some other important reason such as taking care of small children, the hold can be broken prior to the expiration of the 48 hours.

- Contest CHIPS Proceedings

Chips hearings are civil cases brought by the County seeking to exercise supervision of children who live in the home. Oftentimes a very good solution can be reached in these cases where the parties agree to allow supervision on a short term, temporary basis while the parties - usually the parents - complete treatment and other programming.

- Contest Orders for Protection (OFPs)

The party against whom the OFP is brought can decide to contest the allegations at a hearing in which a judge will issue findings either for or against the OFP, or he or she can agree to allow the OFP to remain in effect without any finding of abuse being issued. The standard of required proof is a preponderance of the evidence which is substantially lower than the standard in a criminal case.

- Contest Harassment Restraining Orders (HROs)

Harassment restraining orders (HROs) are civil proceedings brought by one party against another. The standard of required proof is a preponderance of the evidence which is substantially lower than the standard in a criminal case. HROs are initially issued on a temporary ex-part basis pending a hearing in front of a judge on the allegations.

- Appeals

Mr. Ohlenberg is currently handling an appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals of a probation violation case where the defendant’s sentence was executed and defendant was sent to prison to serve the balance of his sentence for failing to successfully complete sex offender treatment.