Rebecca is the best lawyer ever. She is extremely helpful and we won the case. She truly goes above and beyond(…)

– M G.

I absolutely recommend Adams Law Firm, great place. They reassured me every time I had questions or doubts(…)

– Skyler W.

Rebecca is very knowledgeable. She gets the job done and gets it done right. Embodiment of speak softly and carry(…)

– Noel F.

St. Paul Criminal Defense Attorney

Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney Powerfully Defending Their Client’s Rights

It would be great if the world didn’t need criminal defense attorneys, but the reality is that people sometimes get caught up in misunderstandings or make mistakes that put them in opposition to the law. When that happens, it can be a confusing and intimidating process. From the anxiety of a pending trial to dealing with a prosecuting attorney to the frightening potential of a misdemeanor or felony conviction staining your record, it can feel overwhelming to handle alone. At Adams Law Firm, PLLC, every client receives the two most important pieces of a legal defense: a competent defender as well as a compassionate partner. Criminal defense lawyers need to be more than just representation. They also need to be advocates, and we pride ourselves on being advocates for every person who walks through our office doors.

How May We Help You?

Assault

Assault crimes are serious charges related to physical attacks on others. Speak with a criminal defense lawyer about your case now.

Reckless Driving

If you’re facing criminal charges related to reckless driving, find out how a criminal defense lawyer can help you build a strong defense.

Drug Crimes

Find out how a Minnesota criminal defense attorney can help if you’ve been charged with a crime related to drug use, possession, or distribution.

Domestic Violence

Find out what an attorney can do for you when an alleged victim brings a domestic assault charge against you.

DUI

Find out what Minnesota law says about DUI and DWI criminal charges and how a St. Paul criminal defense attorney can help.

Serious Charges Require Serious Criminal Defense Lawyers

When choosing a lawyer to represent you or your loved one for a criminal charge, the most critical decision is finding someone who can provide intelligent and reasoned advice to help you attain the best result from your trial. You can find dozens of attorneys who will take your case, but do those attorneys have decades of experience with the help you need?

Just as important as understanding your charge, the attorneys you’re considering must also have an understanding of the system in Minnesota. Adams Law Firm, PLLC has been a staple in the community for years and understands how it works and who the key players are. If you’re looking for the ideal representation for your case, you won’t find a better mix of experience, skill, and understanding of the process anywhere else.

Clients Success Stories

Rebecca is the best lawyer ever. She is extremely helpful and we won the case. She truly goes above and beyond and is dedicated to her clients.

–M G.

I absolutely recommend Adams Law Firm, great place. They reassured me every time I had questions or doubts. Anticipation can really stink,(…)

–Skyler W.

Rebecca is very knowledgeable. She gets the job done and gets it done right. Embodiment of speak softly and carry a big stick.

-Noel F.

How Serious Are Drug Charges in This State?

While the various potential penalties for drug charges can change depending on a number of factors, including the severity of the crime, the type of drugs, and the number of previous convictions, it’s safe to say that they are taken very seriously and the penalties reflect that attitude. The least severe level, fifth-degree drug charges, can land you up to five years in prison and a fine of potentially $10,000.

However, the penalties only get more extreme the higher the degree of the infraction. With a first-degree drug crime, the prison sentence can be as much as thirty years, extended to 40 if there are previous felony drug convictions. The fines are also staggering, reaching as high as $1,000,000. That’s why you need powerful representation to protect your interests throughout the process, from the initial charge to your time in the courtroom.

Meet The Attorney

Rebecca Adams

Attorney

Attorney Rebecca Adams has practiced criminal defense for decades. Her many satisfied clients recommend her because of her compassion and dedication to their cases. For more information, contact Rebecca Adams today.

MORE ABOUT REBECCA

Are Domestic Abuse Charges a Matter of Public Record?

While much of the information pertaining to legal cases in this state is publicly available and accessible, there are slightly different rules for charges relating to domestic abuse and domestic assault. Because these cases are emotionally charged, deeply personal, and prone to inappropriate use from parties in the public sphere, the records for these cases are not generally available to the public. This was done partly to protect the parties involved from public recrimination, both the accuser as well as the accused.

However, certain exceptions to the inaccessibility of the records exist. While the general public is unable to access these records, members of law enforcement can. They can do so as part of their duties in conducting investigations, enforcing orders of various kinds, and performing other tasks related to the unfettered completion of their jobs.

Why Choose Us?

Decades of Criminal Defense Experience

With years of experience in the Minnesota legal system, from handling jury trials to dealing with prosecutors, our firm prides itself on a life dedicated to criminal defense for those accused of various offenses. We are well connected to the Minnesota criminal defense community and ready to use our years of skill and knowledge for your benefit.

Passionate Representation

We refuse to let the law of Minnesota turn one mistake into devastating criminal records that ruin our clients’ futures. We devote ourselves to providing the strongest defense possible for every client we serve, from the first moment of the criminal charge until the court case comes to a close.

Personalized Case Focus

We work with our clients the way we would a family member, exploring every detail of the entire process to make sure our clients have a specific defense that provides them with the best outcome possible. We’ve successfully represented thousands of clients by providing this same level of personal focus on their case.

Wide Range of Legal Knowledge

With experience as vast as any lawyer in the Twin Cities area, we provide a legal view built from decades of trying cases of all kinds. An effective defense comes from knowledge and practice, and our firm brings a varied field of casework to the table for all our clients.

Direct Communication

When we’re involved legally with a client, we take communication seriously. From the moment you are charged with a crime until the end of any potential trial, we always keep the lines of communication open in both directions. Please reach out to us via text, email, or phone whenever you need us.

Reasonable Representation

When it comes to your legal defense, it would be great if cost were no issue, but we understand that people need great representation without exorbitant costs. We pride ourselves on providing premium legal services to those in need without charging the kinds of prices that put our clients in financial struggle.

Is a DWI Worse Than a Reckless Driving Charge?

There are two factors to consider when exploring the idea of which charge is worse. On one hand, you have the legal measure of severity. In that case, reckless driving is considered a lesser charge than a DWI. However, they are both misdemeanor charges. That means they could potentially have similar penalties, but it is rare to get an equal punishment for reckless driving that you would for a DWI.

The other consideration about DWI versus reckless driving is that of public perception. While reckless driving is not considered a positive thing, it does not carry with it the same level of disapproving public opinion as a drunk driving charge. The public generally sees reckless driving as passively irresponsible, while a DWI charge can create the impression (false or otherwise) of a more intentional decision to endanger others. When weighing the elements of both legal impact and public perception, a reckless driving charge is preferable in the long run to a DWI charge.

Our Latest Blog Posts

March 6, 2025

What Are Your Rights If You Were Pulled Over for a DWI Without Reasonable Suspicion in St. Paul?

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What Types of Cases Does Your Criminal Law Firm Take?

With a decades-long track record in criminal cases, Adams Law Firm, PLLC has worked with nearly every kind of client for numerous types of offenses. We are one of the most experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorneys in our practice areas, with extensive trial experience and legal knowledge. Our primary areas of focus are:

Assault
Domestic Violence
Drug Crimes
DUI
Reckless Driving

If you or a loved one are dealing with any of the above-mentioned legal issues, you should contact Adams Law Firm, PLLC, to be your attorney. If you are uncertain whether your charge fits these areas, we’re glad to speak with you and provide more details and context to help you understand your case and your options better. Call 651-240-9282 to set up a consultation today. As your court date approaches, you deserve a passionate and knowledgeable lawyer fighting on your side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim self-defense against an assault charge?

While self-defense can be a viable defense against certain assault charges, certain factors must be valid for this claim to be possible. Firstly, there must be evidence that you felt genuine concern for your safety or the safety of a loved one during the violent event. Secondly, the violent event that led to the assault must not have been caused by you. Third, the physical reaction you used to prevent or stop the violence towards you must be proportional to the threat you faced. If these three factors are all true, this may be a viable defense for you.

What if I was falsely accused of domestic assault?

The criminal justice system takes accusations of domestic assault seriously, and there’s nothing more troubling than someone wrongly using the system for their own ends. Whether from confusion and miscommunication or something more deliberate and deceitful, false claims must be addressed in a case of this kind. Speaking with an attorney to give them the details of your circumstances will provide you with a strategy for establishing inaccuracies in the accusation. From previous questionable behavior to inconsistencies in their story, these details need to be brought to light and presented to restore your reputation from intentional attack.

Do all criminal convictions remain on your record permanently in Minnesota?

While some convictions are severe and impactful enough on society that they are permanent and cannot be erased from a record, that is not true for all convictions. Many convictions are eligible for expungement, which is the term used to describe the permanent destruction or sealing of a person’s records so they are not publicly available. You can go through the legal process to request an expungement, but only after a prescribed amount of time has passed after the conclusion of the conviction. The length of time differs depending on the details and severity of the sentence being presented for expungement.

Can a criminal defense lawyer get me a better result in my criminal case?

The truth is that no one can predict the exact nature and result of any legal case. As much as a system should be able to deliver similar results for similar events, there are always details and mitigating factors that can change the final result. Anyone who tells you they can guarantee you a specific legal outcome is not being honest. However, the important takeaway is that having an attorney with knowledge of the system and experience in navigating cases will always give you a better chance of getting the best potential result than attempting to deal with complicated legal matters alone.

Does the St. Paul court system punish DWI charges harshly?

While Minnesota takes road safety seriously and has strong punishments for drunk driving incidents, its punishments are not more or less extreme than those of other states for the same kinds of charges. There are, however, more extreme punishments depending on the severity of the criminal infraction you have been charged with. Depending on the blood alcohol content, the number of previous DWI convictions, whether children were present, or if anyone was hurt as a result of the DWI, the punishment from the court could vary greatly. It could change from a misdemeanor to a felony and range in jail time and fees.

Do I legally need a lawyer for my criminal defense case?

Like many legal cases in Minnesota and elsewhere, citizens are not required to have an attorney to represent them. It is legal to handle your case ‘pro se,’ which is a term that means ‘on one’s own behalf.’ To represent yourself, you must petition the court with Form 11, which you can get from the Minnesota court. However, it is important to note that non-lawyers don’t understand the details and processes of the court, and simple things like deadlines and paperwork can derail a case easily. Finding a trusted attorney for sensitive cases affecting your life is your best course of action.

How do I know if my criminal defense charge is a misdemeanor or felony?

Regarding criminal charges, a misdemeanor and a felony can exist for different degrees of the same charge. That means that a person charged with a crime could potentially get either one, depending on the situation’s circumstances, the severity of the crime, and other factors such as extenuating circumstances and if any previous charges of the same kind exist on your record. The misdemeanor is the lower of the two crime charges, often with penalties such as 90 days in prison and fines of around $1,000. A felony is much more serious, with much higher fines and potentially years of prison time.

Does a criminal lawyer have to keep what I tell them private?

In Minnesota, like in most U.S. states, a client has the right to have their information protected by their attorney. This includes sensitive details of their life as well as any information related to their criminal charge. There are certain required legal exceptions to this, however. If the lawyer believes that they have information that can prevent relatively certain death, serious bodily injury, or severe financial harm through fraud, they are legally duty-bound by their position to disclose. Another exception would be if the client provides the attorney informed consent to share the information with another party.