Tom Harrigan, Attorney at Law | Minneapolis, MN

Misdemeanor Frequently Asked Questions
Attorney at Law Thomas G. Harrigan

What is a Misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor is a lower degree crime such as Careless Driving (169.13), Driving While Impaired (169A.20), Minor Consumption (340A.503), Domestic Assault (609.2242), or Disorderly Conduct (609.72) that generally do not warrant severe penalties, but normally involve fines, jail time and probation requirements.

What are the types of Misdemeanors?
In Minnesota there are three types of Misdemeanors:

1. Petty Misdemeanor (e.g.: Driving Citation).
2. Misdemeanor (e.g.: First Time Driving While Impaired).
3. Gross Misdemeanor e.g.: Repeat Driving While Impaired)

What are the penalties for Misdemeanors?
Petty misdemeanors generally involve payment of a fine or citation (ticket) amount. Misdemeanors can result in up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 in addition to probation requirements. Gross Misdemeanors can result in up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $3,000 in addition to probation requirements.

Should I have an attorney for a Misdemeanor charge?
If you are required to go to Court on a Misdemeanor charge you should have an attorney to be sure that your rights are being properly protected. The consequences of going to Court on a criminal charge without legal representation can be serious and long lasting. A conviction or guilty plea will often result in immediate fines and jail time, but may also have long term affects on employment opportunities, insurance rates, driving privileges and various other unforeseen consequences.

Practice Areas - Misdemeanor Information