Felony Defense and Felony Appeals

Murder/manslaughter

Criminal sexual conduct

Criminal Vehicular Homicide

Felony DWI

Theft and Grand Theft

Child pornography

Felony Drug Charges

We are available 24/7. Call us at 612-760-4048 for a free consultation with an experienced felony defense attorney in Minneapolis or contact us here.

What is a felony?

In Minnesota, a felony is the most serious category of criminal charge that the state can level against an individual. Like a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor, a felony is simply a designation that’s intended to reflect the severity of a crime. The legislature has deemed some crimes more serious than others, and the most serious are designated as felonies.

The primary difference between a felony and a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor charge is the level of sentence that a court has the authority to impose following a conviction or plea of guilty. With felonies, instead of talking about avoiding a jail sentence, the focus often shifts to avoiding prison time. Felony convictions also routinely involve the imposition of a period of supervision following release from any incarceration, such as probation or conditional release. Bail is often set much higher for felony charges, and pre-trial release conditions can be more onerous.

Felony crimes broadly include a fourth DWI in a ten-year period of time (a felony DWI), serious theft charges, most sex crimes, most drug charges, murder, manslaughter, many assault charges, etc. Other common examples of felonies include:

• Criminal sexual conduct

• Possession, distribution, or manufacture of child pornography

• Fleeing the police in a motor vehicle

• Criminal vehicular homicide

• Most drug charges (possession, sale, and manufacture)

• Trafficking

• Theft over $1,000.00

Felony charges involve much higher stakes than misdemeanors. Apart from the sometimes short-term consequences, which could include incarceration, probation or conditional release, fines, fees, restitution, and dependency treatment, felony convictions also carry the lifelong label of being a “felon.” This permanently impacts your ability to find a suitable job, live in a suitable apartment, or purchase a house.

Our Firm Can Help

If you are facing a felony charge, call Wilson & Clas at 612-760-4048 immediately for a free consultation, or submit an online inquiry here. Felonies are too serious to allow just anyone to handle the case. Wilson & Clas has had significant experience—and significant success—in defending against felony charges in the metro area and in greater Minnesota.