Criminal Defense lawyers in St. Paul, MN (2026)
Choosing a criminal defense 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 634 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, with a disclosed Featured Partner. See how we score
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How St. Paul’s Criminal Defense Lawyers Compare
| # | Firm | Rating | Reviews | Our score | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Rice Defense | 5.0★ | 201 | ★ Featured | Featured Partner · serious felonies, sex crimes & DWI | View › |
| 2 | Repka Law, LLC | 4.9★ | 137 | 86/100 | Top editorial score · DWI & expungement | View › |
| 3 | North Star Criminal Defense | 4.9★ | 107 | 85/100 | Personal approach & collateral consequences | View › |
| 4 | Arechigo & Stokka | 4.8★ | 141 | 84/100 | Free first consultation | View › |
| 5 | Mark D Kelly Criminal Defense LLC | 4.8★ | 48 | 80/100 | Criminal-only, decades of experience | View › |
🧭Find the right firm for your case
Our top picks, reviewed
Jack Rice Defense
A Selby Avenue firm led by Jack Rice, an MSBA Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist who previously worked as a prosecutor and as a U.S. federal (CIA) officer. The practice takes everything from DWI, domestic assault and drug charges to sex crimes, homicide and pre-charge investigations, 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 serious, high-stakes charges say they felt well represented
★
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 alongside general criminal defense.
- Clients describe open, honest communication about where their case stands
- Reviewers mention Daniel Repka by name for clear guidance
- A two-attorney firm, so availability can depend on court schedules
86/100
📍 278 7th St E, St. Paul, MN 55101
North Star Criminal Defense
A Bandana Square firm that emphasises a hands-on, individual approach and pays attention to the collateral consequences of a charge, such as employment and licensing, not just the criminal case itself.
- Reviewers say the team takes time to learn every detail of the case
- Compassionate, reassuring communication
- One reviewer mentions fair pricing on traffic matters
- Shares its suite with North Star Law Group, which also handles traffic and business matters
85/100
📍 1295 Bandana Blvd N Ste 335, St. Paul, MN 55108
Arechigo & Stokka
A downtown St. Paul firm in the First National Bank Building that splits its work between criminal defense and workers’ compensation. Managing partner John Arechigo focuses almost entirely on criminal cases and is licensed in Minnesota and North Dakota.
- Reviewers describe compassionate staff and clear explanations of court procedure
- Courtroom representation is a recurring point of praise
- Helpful free first consultation
- Workers’ compensation is a second practice area at the firm
84/100
📍 332 Minnesota St Ste W1610, St. Paul, MN 55101
Mark D Kelly Criminal Defense LLC
A Grand Avenue practice devoted exclusively to criminal defense, led by Mark D. Kelly, who has been licensed in Minnesota since 1987. It handles DWI, assault and domestic assault, drug, sexual assault, theft, weapons and white-collar charges.
- Reviewers credit thorough investigation of the facts
- Staff described as answering the phone quickly or calling back within minutes
- Smallest Google review base on this page, so the rating rests on fewer voices
80/100
📍 1539 Grand Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
Who handles what: case-type matrix
✓ = listed on the firm’s own website · — = not listed · Ask = unclear, confirm on the call.
| Firm | DWI / DUI | Domestic assault | Assault & violent crimes | Drug crimes | Sex crimes | Theft & fraud | Weapons | Juvenile | Probation violations | Expungement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Rice Defense | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Repka Law, LLC | ✓ | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | ✓ |
| North Star Criminal Defense | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask |
| Arechigo & Stokka | ✓ | Ask | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Ask | Ask | ✓ |
| Mark D Kelly Criminal Defense LLC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Ask | Ask | Ask |
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 | Home/hospital visits | After hours | Languages | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Rice Defense | Ask | Ask | ✓ | Ask | Listed open 24/7 | Ask | 29 |
| Repka Law, LLC | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask |
| North Star Criminal Defense | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask |
| Arechigo & Stokka | ✓ | Ask | Ask | Ask | Evenings & weekends | Ask | Ask |
| Mark D Kelly Criminal Defense LLC | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | Ask | 39 |
⏳Minnesota deadline calculator
Most criminal deadlines in Minnesota are short and they run whether or not you have a lawyer yet. The license-revocation clock after a DWI arrest is a separate civil deadline from the criminal case itself, so missing it can cost you your challenge even if the criminal charge is later reduced.
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 conviction | 30 days | Minn. R. Crim. P. 28.02, subd. 4(3)(b) |
| Appeal a felony or gross misdemeanor conviction | 90 days | Minn. R. Crim. P. 28.02, subd. 4(3)(a) |
| Expungement wait: misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor | 2 years | Minn. Stat. § 609A.02, subd. 3(a)(3) |
| Expungement wait: gross misdemeanor | 3 years | Minn. Stat. § 609A.02, subd. 3(a)(4) |
| Expungement wait: eligible felony | 4 years | Minn. Stat. § 609A.02, subd. 3(a)(8) |
How we score
We scored each St. Paul firm ourselves out of 100. For criminal defense we weighted three things most: how consistently clients rate the firm on Google, how much review evidence sits behind that rating, and how squarely the firm’s own website covers the charges people in Ramsey County most often face, such as DWI, domestic assault, drug offenses and theft.
We gave extra credit to firms that practise criminal defense exclusively or nearly so, and to practical access such as published free consultations, online appointments and after-hours contact. We made small deductions where criminal defense shares the firm’s attention with an unrelated practice area, or where the review base is still small.
Every firm listed has an office inside St. Paul city limits. We did not include firms that share an office suite with the Featured Partner, and no listed firm saw or approved its score before publication.
Featured Partner: Jack Rice Defense pays for the first position. It is marked with a badge and is not given a score, so it is never ranked against the firms below. Every other firm is scored and ordered by us independently.
Ratings and review counts were checked on October 5, 2026.
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in St. Paul? (2026)
Criminal defense lawyers in St. Paul usually charge a flat fee per stage of the case (for example, through the omnibus hearing or through a plea), with a separate and larger fee if the case goes to trial; some bill hourly against a retainer. Minnesota’s professional conduct rules do not allow contingency fees in criminal cases, so be wary of any ‘pay only if we win’ offer. Ask whether investigator, expert and implied-consent hearing costs are included.
Minnesota rules worth knowing
Three levels of crime
A misdemeanor carries up to 90 days and a $1,000 fine, a gross misdemeanor up to a year and a $3,000 fine, and a felony more than a year (Minn. Stat. § 609.02). The level decides your appeal window and your expungement wait.
Your license case is separate from your DWI case
After a DWI test failure or refusal, the state revokes your license civilly. You have 60 days to petition a court to review it (Minn. Stat. § 169A.53), even while the criminal charge is still pending.
Some records now clear automatically
Minnesota’s Clean Slate law grants automatic expungement for many lower-level offenses once a waiting period passes with no new conviction (Minn. Stat. § 609A.015). Other records still need a petition.
You may qualify for a public defender
If you cannot afford a lawyer and face possible jail time, you can ask the court to appoint a public defender (Minn. Stat. § 611.17). Private counsel is a choice, not a requirement.
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.
Serving St. Paul and nearby
The firms above serve St. Paul and the surrounding area, including Ramsey County, Minneapolis, Plymouth and Shakopee. Each listing above has a direct phone number and office address.
✅Your consultation checklist
Frequently asked questions
How did you choose these criminal defense lawyers?
We started from criminal defense 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?
One placement is paid: the Featured Partner appears first with a clear badge and is not scored. Every other firm is scored and ordered by us independently, and no firm can pay to change its score or anyone else’s.
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 criminal defense lawyer cost in St. Paul?
It depends on the charge level and whether the case goes to trial. Most firms quote a flat fee per stage after a consultation. Minnesota does not allow contingency fees in criminal cases, so get the scope and the trial fee in writing.
Do I need a lawyer for a first DWI in Minnesota?
You are not required to hire one, but a first DWI involves two cases: the criminal charge and a civil license revocation with its own 60-day petition deadline. A lawyer can tell you whether either is worth contesting.
Can I get a public defender instead?
If you cannot afford a private lawyer and the charge carries possible jail time, you can request a public defender at your first appearance. The court decides eligibility.
How long until a conviction can be expunged in Minnesota?
By petition, generally two years after discharge for a misdemeanor, three for a gross misdemeanor and four for an eligible felony, with no new conviction in that time. Some offenses now clear automatically under the Clean Slate law. Use the calculator above for an estimate.
Should I talk to police before calling a lawyer?
You have the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer. Many people choose to say they want to speak with an attorney first and wait for counsel before answering questions.
Can a lawyer guarantee my charges will be dropped?
No. No ethical lawyer can promise an outcome. What a lawyer can do is review the evidence, the stop and the testing procedure, and explain realistic options.
📌Key facts
- 5 criminal defense firms in St. Paul, MN compared; data checked October 2026.
- Combined 634 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 among unpaid positions: Repka Law, LLC (86/100).
- Featured Partner (paid placement): Jack Rice Defense.
- Challenge a DWI license revocation (implied consent petition): 60 days (Minn. Stat. § 169A.53, subd. 2(a)).
- Appeal a misdemeanor conviction: 30 days (Minn. R. Crim. P. 28.02, subd. 4(3)(b)).
- Appeal a felony or gross misdemeanor conviction: 90 days (Minn. R. Crim. P. 28.02, subd. 4(3)(a)).
The bottom line
Jack Rice Defense is our Featured Partner. Among the other firms, Repka Law, LLC earns our highest score (86/100). Whichever firm you call, use the checklist above and get the fee and cost terms in writing before you sign.
