Experienced Minnesota Traffic Violations Lawyer
A traffic ticket can be much more than an annoying inconvenience. It can cause your auto insurance premiums to soar and it can result in your driver’s license being suspended or revoked. Someone who drives for a living such as a Truck or taxi driver can lose their commercial driving privileges. Convictions for some driving offenses can land you in jail.
Don’t simply toss a ticket in your glove box or under the seat. The charge won’t go away. But at the same time, don’t pay a ticket if you feel you’ve been wrongly accused because it seems simpler than fighting it. Whenever you are given a Minnesota traffic ticket, Call one of the skilled and experienced traffic ticket lawyers at Sieben Edmunds Miller.
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Enhanced Charges Explained by Minnesota Traffic Violation Attorneys
Generally, traffic tickets in Minnesota are petty misdemeanors, which means they are not considered crimes. Normally, when someone is issued a petty misdemeanor, the ticket can simply be paid, and the person cited does not need to go to court to handle the matter. However, Minnesota police officers have the discretion to decide whether traffic violations were committed in such a way that they endangered, or were likely to endanger, any person or property. This type of ticket is often given to one or more parties involved in a traffic accident. If the officer issues a citation with the “endangerment” box checked on the traffic ticket, the violation becomes a misdemeanor crime and the recipient must go to court to handle the matter. Drivers convicted of a misdemeanor crime face criminal penalties up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.00.
Commercial Vehicle Violations – Minnesota Traffic Ticket Attorneys Explain
In addition to the charges that the driver of a private vehicle may face, drivers of commercial vehicles also can be ticketed for additional offenses:
- Speeding more than 15 mph over the limit
- Changing lanes improperly or erratically
- Following another vehicle too closely
- Unsafe or overweight load
- Operating a commercial vehicle without a commercial license
- Driving a commercial vehicle without the proper endorsements
Even if you are driving your private vehicle and receive a ticket, it will appear on your commercial driver’s license record.
Federal regulations make some offenses even more serious
Your life and livelihood are at stake. Don’t give in and not fight the ticket. The commercial driver’s traffic ticket attorneys at Sieben Edmunds Miller in Eagan will fight to clear the charge and keep a conviction from appearing on your commercial record.
Help for Out-of-State Drivers Ticketed in Minnesota
Here’s some bad news: A traffic ticket in Minnesota will appear on your record in your home state. The traffic ticket lawyers at Sieben Edmunds Miller are experienced in representing tourists and travelers who had the misfortune to be ticketed for speeding, other moving violations, and even DWI in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
You may not even have to come back to Minnesota or Wisconsin for a court appearance. If you are taken into custody, we will see you where you’re detained. We also work with out-of-state clients by phone, fax, email and video conference.
How Our Minnesota Traffic Ticket Lawyers Defend Your Rights
Don’t simply give up without fighting for your rights. Call a traffic ticket lawyer or Minneapolis criminal defense attorneys and St. Paul criminal defense attorneys at Sieben Edmunds Miller (651) 994-6744.
Common Traffic Offenses Our Minnesota Traffic Violations Lawyers Handle
For private drivers, there are nearly a dozen different offenses in Minnesota that a person may be charged with by police or the state patrol:
- Moving violations such as speeding or illegal turns
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Careless driving
- Reckless driving
- Ignoring an extended school bus arm
- Failing to pay a ticket
- Failing to appear in court
- Driving without proof of insurance
- Outstanding traffic warrants
- Driving after suspension
- Driving after revocation
- Driver after cancellation – inimical to public safety
When you are charged with any of these or any other traffic violation, before paying the ticket call a traffic ticket attorney at Sieben Edmunds Miller.
Frequently Asked Questions about Minnesota Traffic Violation & Ticket Cases
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How long are traffic violations on your record in Minnesota?
Most traffic violations stay on your Minnesota driving record for five years, though serious offenses—such as DUIs or major violations—can remain for 10 years or longer.
What is a moving traffic violation in Minnesota?
A moving violation is any offense committed while a vehicle is in motion, such as speeding, running a red light, illegal passing, reckless driving, or failing to yield.
Is a traffic violation a misdemeanor?
Most Minnesota traffic violations are petty misdemeanors, which are not crimes. However, if the officer checks the “endangerment” box or alleges risky behavior, the citation becomes a misdemeanor, which carries possible jail time and higher fines.
What is a traffic violation?
A traffic violation is any breach of Minnesota traffic laws, ranging from minor infractions like speeding to more serious offenses such as reckless driving or driving without insurance.
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What is considered a traffic violation?
Traffic violations include speeding, illegal turns, distracted driving, careless or reckless driving, school bus violations, driving without insurance, and license-related offenses such as driving after suspension or revocation.
How long do traffic violations stay on record?
Standard violations typically remain on your driving record for five years, but major violations—especially DWI, careless driving, or commercial vehicle offenses—may stay longer and impact insurance rates.
What are non-moving traffic violations?
Non-moving violations involve issues with the vehicle or parking, such as expired tabs, parking tickets, broken equipment, or failure to display insurance. These usually do not carry license points or insurance increases.
What is considered a minor traffic violation in Minnesota?
Minor violations—often petty misdemeanors—include low-level speeding, rolling stops, improper lane changes, or equipment issues. While “minor,” they can still affect insurance rates and your driving record.
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Directions to Sieben Edmunds Miller
If you’re facing a traffic violation anywhere in Minnesota, having a lawyer who understands the local court system, roadway environments, and enforcement patterns makes a meaningful difference. Our Minnesota traffic violations attorneys regularly represent clients in major courts across the state, including:
- Hennepin County District Court (Minneapolis)
- Ramsey County District Court (St. Paul)
- Dakota County District Court (Hastings)
- Washington County District Court (Stillwater)
Each county has its own procedures, filing timelines, and expectations, and our team navigates them efficiently to protect your rights and driving record.
Many traffic incidents occur on Minnesota’s most traveled routes — I-35E, I-94, I-494, Highway 52, and Highway 169 — where speeding, lane changes, and congestion often lead to citations or crashes. If your traffic violation involved an accident, you may have received medical attention at important nearby medical facilities such as:
- Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC)
- Regions Hospital
- M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital
- Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Our attorneys frequently work with reports from these hospitals, police departments, and state agencies to build a strong defense for your case.
Our office at Sieben Edmunds Miller PLLC, located at 2640 Eagan Woods Drive, Suite 220, Eagan, MN 55121, is central and easy to reach from anywhere in the Twin Cities. Whether you are coming from Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Burnsville, Roseville, or surrounding communities, we are just minutes away via I-35E or Cedar Avenue, with free parking available.
When you need a reliable Minnesota traffic ticket attorney, our experienced team is close by, easy to reach, and ready to protect your driving record and your future.