Minnesota Traffic Violations and Driver License Violations Attorney

There is no doubt that driving is an essential part of our daily lives. We drive to and for employment; we drive our kids to school and to after school activities; we drive to the grocery store and vacations. With so much time spent on the road driving, it is almost impossible to maintain an active and productive lifestyle without having a driver’s license.

Tens of thousands of Minnesota Drivers are given traffic tickets every year. When this happens, a person has two choices. They could simply pay the ticket or try to fight it by going to court. Many people tend to blindly pay the ticket thinking they have no other options.  This is usually done without considering the consequence or their legal options. Prosecutors will seldom tell a person about the driver license consequences of a guilty plea to a traffic ticket. If you choose to simply pay the ticket or plead guilty, it will go and stay on your driving record for years, will affect your insurance rates and could cause the suspension of your driver’s license.

Choosing the right attorney to defend you against the loss of your driving privileges is critical to protecting your freedom to drive and to earn a living.  Brent Schafer is a former county attorney and has practiced criminal law for over 17 years.   He has represented clients in 58 of Minnesota's 82 counties.  He has successfully defended clients charged with every type of traffic violation.  He has helped 100’s of driver’s keep traffic violations off their driving record and avoid the loss of their driving privileges.

If you have been charged with a Minnesota Traffic Violation, contact an aggressive and experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney.

Brent Schafer is an experienced criminal defense attorney who can answer your questions, explain your various options and help ease your mind as your case moves through the complex legal system. Call 651-209-1919 or Toll Free at 1-877-880-9900 today for a free consultation regarding your case.

A Minnesota driver can lose his or her driving privileges for a number of reasons:

The commissioner of public safety, otherwise known as the DMV or DPS, is required to suspend the driver's license of a person being convicted for a violation of traffic laws under Minnesota Statutes §169 or §171, or any other statutes regulating the operation of motor vehicles on Minnesota streets or highways.  The only exception is for those traffic laws specifically excluded from the driving record by statute.

A person’s driver's license must be suspended for 30 days if the commissioner has   previously sent a violation warning letter to the person and the person is convicted of:

• four traffic offenses within a 12-month period; or
• five traffic offenses within a 24-month period;

A person’s driver's license must be suspended for 90 days, if the person is convicted of:

• five traffic offenses within a 12-month period; or
• six traffic offenses within a 24-month period;

A person’s driver's license must be suspended for 180 days, if the person is convicted of:

• seven traffic offenses within a 24-month period; or
• one year, if the person is convicted of eight or more traffic offenses within a 24-month period.

The commissioner shall send a warning letter or conduct a preliminary hearing under part 7409.4500 if the person is convicted of two misdemeanors or convicted of three or more traffic offenses, under this subpart, occurring within a 24-month period.

The warning letter must be sent by first class mail to the person's last known address or to the address listed on the person's driver's license, informing the person of the number and type of traffic violations on the person's driving record and the consequences of additional traffic violations.

The commissioner must suspend the driver's license of a person for a period of 30 days upon receiving a record of conviction of two or more violations for:

• Motorcycle license endorsement and/or permit violation;
• Driver License type, endorsement or restriction violation;
• Instructional Driver License Violation;
• School Bus and Type III Vehicle Drivers Violation.

The commissioner shall suspend the driver's license of a person upon receiving a record of conviction for violating a condition or limitation of a limited license under Minnesota Statutes, section 171.30, for a period of:

• 30 days, if the person has no other convictions under that section within a five-year period;
• 90 days, if the person has been convicted two times under that section within a five-year period;
• 180 days, if the person has been convicted three times under that section within a five-year period; or
• one year, if the person has been convicted four or more times under that section within a five-year period.

The commissioner shall suspend the driver's license of a person upon receiving a record of conviction under Minnesota Statutes section 171.24, driving after withdrawal of driving privileges. The driver's license must be suspended for a period of:

• 30 days, if the person has no other incidents of driving after withdrawal within a five-year period;
• 90 days, if the person has two incidents of driving after withdrawal within a five-year period;
• 180 days, if the person has three violations of driving after withdrawal within a five-year period; or
• one year, if the person has four or more violations of driving after withdrawal within a five-year period.

In the United States, 115,000 traffic tickets are written every day annually. Drivers can receive a ticket for either a moving violation or for a non-moving violation. A moving violation refers to cases in which a driver violated a traffic law with a vehicle in motion. Examples of moving violations include speeding, drunk driving, or failure to stop at a stop sign or red light. A non-moving violation on the other hand refers to cases that are related to parking or faulty equipment. Examples of non-moving violations include things like driving with broken taillights or parking in a no-parking zone.

Regardless of the type of ticket a driver receives, the Commissioner of Public Safety will record the conviction on your driving record.  Accumulation of convictions on your driving record can result in additional fines and penalties, including suspension of your driver's license. The offenses will also remain on your driving record permanently. This means that insurance companies that regularly conduct checks on their costumer's driver records will raise their insurance premiums if they find an offense on your driving record. People shouldn't have to pay for minor mistakes for the rest of their lives. That is what will happen when drivers decide to pay the ticket without first consulting an experienced Minnesota traffic ticket attorney. Fighting the ticket in court can sometimes be the best option, especially if you have a knowledgeable attorney on your side.

If you or your loved one has been lost their driver’s license or is charged with a traffic offense that threatens to take their license, call Brent Schafer at 612-940-0129 or Toll Free at 1-877-880-9900. He can help you today. Call now for a free consultation!

Brent Schafer practices in the following counties:  Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Washington County, Dakota County, Scott County, Anoka County, Isanti County, Pine County, Chisago County, Goodhue County, Winona County, Wabasha County, Rice County, Houston County, Olmsted County, Fillmore County, Mower County, Freeborn County, Martin County, Jackson County, Nobles County, Rock County, Pipestone County, Murray County, Cottonwood County, Dodge County, Steele County, Waseca County, Blue Earth County, Brown County, Redwood County, Nicollet County, Lyon County, Lincoln County, Yellow Medicine County, Renville County, Lac Qui Parle, Chippewa County, McLeod County, Carver County, Wright County, Meeker County, Kandiyohi County, Sherburne County, Benton County, Sterns County, Pope County, Douglas County, Grant County, Stevens County, Swift County, Big Stone County, Traverse County, Wilkin County, Otter Tail County Todd County, Morrison County, Mille Lacs County, Carlton County, Aitkin County,  Crow Wing County, Sibley County, Wadena County, Cass County Hubbard County, Becker County, Clay County, Norman County, Cook County, Lake County, St. Louis, Itasca County, Koochiching County, Beltrami County, Lake of the Woods County, Mahnomen County, Roseau County, Kittson County, Marshall County, Polk County, Pennington County, Red Lake County, Kanabec County and Faribault County.

Brent S. Schafer is a former county attorney and has practiced criminal law for over 17 years.   He has represented clients in 58 of Minnesota's 82 counties.  There is no distance to great or criminal charge too petty to undertake.  We are willing to speak with you 7 days a week, 24 hours a day if necessary.  We accept all major credit cards.  You will find our fees to be reasonable and competitive with other quality criminal defense firms in the area.