DWI lawyers in St. Paul, MN (2026)
Choosing a DWI lawyer in St. Paul is less about finding good reviews and more about finding the right fit for your case. The 5 firms below share 628 Google reviews and every one rates 4.8 or higher, so we compare what actually differs: case focus, fees, access and how recently clients are still leaving reviews.
Our editorial ranking. See how we score
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How St. Paul’s DWI Lawyers Compare
| # | Firm | Rating | Reviews | Our score | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Rice Defense | 5.0★ | 201 | 95/100 | Top rated · DWI & serious charges | View › |
| 2 | Repka Law, LLC | 4.9★ | 138 | 86/100 | DWI, appeals & expungement | View › |
| 3 | Jeffrey Dean Criminal Lawyer & DWI Attorney | 5.0★ | 41 | 84/100 | DWI-focused solo practice | View › |
| 4 | North Star Criminal Defense | 4.9★ | 107 | 83/100 | Collateral consequences | View › |
| 5 | Arechigo & Stokka | 4.8★ | 141 | 82/100 | Free first consultation | View › |
🧭Find the right firm for your case
Our top picks, reviewed
Jack Rice Defense
A Selby Avenue criminal defense and DWI firm led by Jack Rice, an MSBA Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist and former prosecutor and U.S. federal agent. The firm defends DWI charges from first offenses to serious cases, and Rice received the MSBA Professional Excellence Award in 2020 and Minnesota Attorney of the Year honours in 2021.
- Reviewers describe deep legal knowledge explained in a calm, reassuring way
- Professionalism and long courtroom experience come up repeatedly
- Clients facing DWIs and serious charges say they felt well represented
95/100
Repka Law, LLC
A small Lowertown criminal defense practice run by Daniel and Andrea Repka, representing clients in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Its directory listings highlight DWI, appeals and expungement.
- Clients describe open, honest communication about where their case stands
- Reviewers mention zealous, thorough defense work
- A two-attorney firm, so availability can depend on court schedules
86/100
Jeffrey Dean Criminal Lawyer & DWI Attorney
A downtown St. Paul practice focused on criminal defense and DWI, offering online and in-office appointments.
- Reviewers highlight professionalism
- Clients describe strong guidance in complex criminal cases
- Small review base, so the perfect rating rests on fewer voices
84/100
North Star Criminal Defense
A Bandana Square firm that takes a hands-on, individual approach and pays attention to collateral consequences of a charge, such as employment and licensing.
- Reviewers say the team takes time to learn every detail of the case
- Compassionate, reassuring communication
- Shares its suite with a related firm that also handles traffic and business matters
83/100
Arechigo & Stokka
A downtown St. Paul firm in the First National Bank Building that splits its work between criminal defense, including DWI, and workers’ compensation.
- Reviewers describe compassionate staff and clear explanations of court procedure
- Helpful free first consultation
- Workers’ compensation is a second practice area at the firm
82/100
Who handles what: case-type matrix
✓ = listed on the firm’s own website · — = not listed · Ask = unclear, confirm on the call.
| Firm | DWI / DUI | Drug crimes | Assault | Expungement | General criminal defense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Rice Defense | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Repka Law, LLC | ✓ | Ask | Ask | ✓ | ✓ |
| Jeffrey Dean Criminal Lawyer & DWI Attorney | ✓ | Ask | Ask | Ask | ✓ |
| North Star Criminal Defense | ✓ | Ask | Ask | Ask | ✓ |
| Arechigo & Stokka | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Fees, access and languages
From each firm’s published information. “Ask” means the firm doesn’t say publicly — a good question for your first call.
| Firm | Free consult | Fee model | Virtual | After hours | Languages | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Rice Defense | Ask | Ask | ✓ | Listed open 24/7 | Ask | 29 |
| Repka Law, LLC | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask |
| Jeffrey Dean Criminal Lawyer & DWI Attorney | Ask | Ask | ✓ | Ask | Ask | Ask |
| North Star Criminal Defense | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask |
| Arechigo & Stokka | ✓ | Ask | Ask | Evenings & weekends | Ask | Ask |
⏳Minnesota deadline calculator
A Minnesota DWI arrest starts two cases at once: a criminal charge and a civil license revocation. The license case has its own short deadline, and it runs even while the criminal case is still pending.
General filing windows under Minnesota law. Estimates only; exceptions apply. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.
| Claim | General deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge a DWI license revocation (implied consent petition) | 60 days | Minn. Stat. § 169A.53, subd. 2(a) |
| Appeal a misdemeanor (4th-degree) DWI conviction | 30 days | Minn. R. Crim. P. 28.02, subd. 4(3)(b) |
| Appeal a gross misdemeanor or felony DWI conviction | 90 days | Minn. R. Crim. P. 28.02, subd. 4(3)(a) |
| Expungement wait: misdemeanor DWI | 2 years | Minn. Stat. § 609A.02, subd. 3(a)(3) |
| Expungement wait: gross misdemeanor DWI | 3 years | Minn. Stat. § 609A.02, subd. 3(a)(4) |
How we score
We scored each St. Paul firm out of 100 using the same criteria for every firm. For DWI defense we weighted three things most: how consistently clients rate the firm on Google, how much review evidence sits behind that rating, and whether the firm clearly handles DWI cases, including the civil license-revocation side of a DWI.
We added credit for criminal-defense-focused practices, board certification and courtroom experience, and for practical access such as online appointments and after-hours contact. We made small deductions where the review base is small or where DWI work shares the firm’s attention with an unrelated practice area.
Every firm listed has an office inside St. Paul city limits. We left out firms that share an office suite with another listed firm.
Ratings and review counts were checked on October 6, 2026.
How much does a DWI lawyer cost in St. Paul? (2026)
DWI lawyers in St. Paul usually quote a flat fee, often in stages (for example, through the omnibus hearing, then a separate fee for trial), and many quote the implied-consent license petition separately. Minnesota’s professional conduct rules do not allow contingency fees in criminal cases. Ask what is included: the license petition, expert review of breath or blood testing, and any trial.
Minnesota rules worth knowing
Two cases, not one
A DWI arrest triggers a criminal charge and a separate civil license revocation. You have 60 days to petition a court to review the revocation (Minn. Stat. § 169A.53), even before the criminal case is resolved.
License revocation periods
For a first offense, a test result of 0.08 to under 0.16 generally brings a 90-day revocation; 0.16 or more, or a test refusal, brings at least one year (Minn. Stat. § 169A.52).
0.16 and the 10-year look-back
An alcohol concentration of 0.16 or more and prior DWI incidents within 10 years are aggravating factors that raise the charge level (Minn. Stat. §§ 169A.03, 169A.24–.27). Three or more prior incidents in 10 years can make a DWI a felony.
Refusing a test is its own crime
Refusing a lawfully requested breath test after a DWI arrest is a separate crime in Minnesota (Minn. Stat. § 169A.20, subd. 2), not just a license issue.
No contingency fees in criminal cases
Minnesota Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(d)(2) bars a lawyer from charging a fee contingent on the outcome of a criminal case, including a DWI.
Serving St. Paul and nearby
The firms above serve St. Paul and the surrounding area, including Ramsey County, Maplewood, Roseville and West St. Paul. Each listing above has a direct phone number and office address.
✅Your consultation checklist
Frequently asked questions
How did you choose these DWI lawyers?
We started from DWI firms with a public Google presence and a physical office in the St. Paul area, removed directories and referral services, and scored the rest ourselves (see How we score).
Are these rankings paid?
Jack Rice Defense advertises on this site. Every firm, including Jack Rice Defense, is scored against the same published criteria, and the order follows those scores.
How often is this page updated?
Ratings and review counts were last checked in October 2026. We refresh the data periodically and list changes in the changelog.
How much does a DWI lawyer cost in St. Paul?
It depends on the charge level, whether you challenge the license revocation and whether the case goes to trial. Most firms quote a flat fee after a consultation. Get the scope, the license petition fee and the trial fee in writing.
Will I lose my license after a first DWI in Minnesota?
Usually yes, for a period: generally 90 days for a test result between 0.08 and 0.16, and at least a year for 0.16 or more or a refusal. Ignition interlock or a limited license may let you keep driving. You can challenge the revocation within 60 days.
Is a first DWI a felony in Minnesota?
No. A first DWI is usually a misdemeanor, or a gross misdemeanor if there are aggravating factors such as a 0.16 result or a child in the car. A DWI becomes a felony with three or more prior incidents within 10 years, or after a prior felony DWI.
Should I refuse a breath test in Minnesota?
Refusing a lawful breath test after a DWI arrest is a crime in Minnesota and brings a longer license revocation. You generally have a limited right to try to contact a lawyer before testing.
Can a DWI be expunged in Minnesota?
Often, by petition, after a waiting period with no new conviction: generally two years for a misdemeanor and three for a gross misdemeanor. A DWI can still count as a prior for later charges. Use the calculator above for an estimate.
Can a lawyer guarantee my DWI will be dismissed?
No. No ethical lawyer can promise an outcome. A lawyer can review the stop, the testing procedure and the paperwork and explain realistic options.
📌Key facts
- 5 DWI firms in St. Paul, MN compared; data checked October 2026.
- Combined 628 Google reviews; ratings range 4.8–5.0.
- Highest rating: Jack Rice Defense (5.0, 201 reviews).
- Most reviews: Jack Rice Defense (201 reviews, 5.0).
- Our top score: Jack Rice Defense (95/100).
- Challenge a DWI license revocation (implied consent petition): 60 days (Minn. Stat. § 169A.53, subd. 2(a)).
- Appeal a misdemeanor (4th-degree) DWI conviction: 30 days (Minn. R. Crim. P. 28.02, subd. 4(3)(b)).
- Appeal a gross misdemeanor or felony DWI conviction: 90 days (Minn. R. Crim. P. 28.02, subd. 4(3)(a)).
The bottom line
Among the other firms, Jack Rice Defense earns our highest score (95/100). Whichever firm you call, use the checklist above and get the fee and cost terms in writing before you sign.