DWI Case Results

To see just how successful our approach is, here are some representative results:

State v. K.P.

December, 2025
Charges: Felony Criminal Vehicular Operation, Third Degree DWI - Gross Misdemeanor

This case involved Mr. Adkins securing a deal several judges simply would not endorse, necessitating a clever change in approach—with the identical result, no jail, short probationary term, and a modest fine. The accident involved in this very-high-test DUI, frankly, could have cost a life or two, but the client’s incredible hustle getting and staying sober, and devoted and inventive arguments from Dan, delivered the day. Long-established and carefully-curated relationships with both judges and prosecutors made this possible. We have that, statewide, and frankly throughout the Midwestern Region… if your lawyer doesn’t have our reputation for hustle, and results, why are you with that clown?

Types of Charge(s): DWI Case Results, Felonies

State v. R.W.

November, 2025
Charges: Second Degree DWI - Gross Misdemeanor

This matter, involving a bit of a lifetime drunken driver, took massive creativity and passionate advocacy from Mr. Adkins, to overcome a client who picked up another scary DUI while this one was just pending… and after some fits and starts at treatment, the client dove meaningfully into full recovery, impressed the hell out of a very skeptical judge, and avoided all but the most minor/unavoidable components of a ’super two’ DUI sentence—only 17 days of work release, the balance of a mandatory minimum sentence on house arrest, and a shortened probation term… which will help immeasurably when the second super two DUI is considered next month. You will see insane results like this with Dan and James and Sean, but only if you hire us…

Types of Charge(s): DWI Case Results, Gross Misdemeanor

State v. H.L.

October, 2025
Charges: 4th Degree DWI - Misdemeanor

Plea to an amended count of Careless Driving. This is yet another example of why it pays to get the North Star team to push for the atypical, unlikely results. Client blew a .13 and had no legal defenses. Worst of all, the client's job required travel to Canada, meaning a DWI conviction could lead to a loss of his job. Mr. Gempeler and the North Star team got to work. The client followed our advice on proactive steps to take and got the information we needed to rely upon when negotiating. Finally, on the doorstep of trial, Mr. Gempeler leaned on his prior, good relationship with the prosecutor and got the outcome needed - a careless driving. On top of that, the plea deal called for no jail, no community service, and the bare minimum of terms of probation. The client was pleasantly surprised that Mr. Gempeler managed to pull this off for him.

Types of Charge(s): DWI Case Results

State v. E.U.

October, 2025
Charges: 4th Degree DWI - Misdemeanor

Plea to an amended count of careless driving. While getting a careless driving in a first-time DWI is always a great result, this one is particularly notable because the client blew a .14. Typically, a non-DWI outcome for first-timers is unavailable when you have a reading .10 or higher. So, to get this outcome - without any real legal defense - on a .14 is almost unheard of. Unheard of except for the attorneys at North Star. We used our client's proactive steps, unique circumstances about employment impact, and our great working relationship with the prosecutor to get this fantastic result. The client was shocked we managed to pull this off and thankful he got referred to the North Star team.

Types of Charge(s): DWI Case Results

State v. J.W.

October, 2025
Charges: 3rd Degree DWI - Gross Misdemeanor

Plea to an amended count of careless driving. On top of that fantastic outcome, the client is merely placed on unsupervised probation for one-year with no additional obligations going forward. What makes this particular outcome so remarkable is that the client blew a higher test with a prior conviction - but the legal issues Mr. Adkins raised meant the State wanted no chance of an acquittal or unfavorable judicial orders. Client is ecstatic, and returns to a commercial driving gig without a long suspension.

Types of Charge(s): DWI Case Results, Gross Misdemeanor

State v. S.N.

August, 2025
Charges: Fourth Degree DWI - Misdemeanor

Plea to an amended count of careless driving. What makes this outcome so remarkable is the client blew a .13 and had no legal defenses. Undeterred, Mr. Gempeler got the client into the proper negotiating position with both proactive steps and documenting why this outcome was so needed. Leveraging all of that, plus the great existing relationship with the prosecutor, we were able to get this incredible outcome, which also included unsupervised probation and only a $100 fine.

Types of Charge(s): DWI Case Results

State v. H.N.

July, 2025
Charges: 4th Degree DWI - Misdemeanor

Plea to an amended count of careless driving. On top of that fantastic outcome, the client is merely placed on unsupervised probation for one-year with no additional obligations going forward. What makes this particular outcome so remarkable is that the client blew a .13 - well above the typical range where a prosecutor would typically offer a non-DWI outcome. Additionally, the State's initial offer included conditions of no use, no entering bars or restaurants, and testing to confirm the no use. Despite the elevated reading and an initial offer that was heavy-handed, Mr. Gempeler leaned on the proactive steps and positive background of the client to negotiate a non-DWI and unsupervised probation - an outcome we truly didn't expect. But the unexpected happens here more than anywhere else because of our diligence, strategic approach, and know-how when working these cases.

Types of Charge(s): DWI Case Results, Misdemeanor

State v. R.V.

May, 2025
Charges: 4th Degree DWI - Misdemeanors
Plea to an amended count of careless driving. Client had no legal defenses, but wanted desperately to avoid a DWI conviction and the stigma associated with it. Mr. Gempeler had a pre-existing relationship with the prosecutor that paid off in achieving a non-DWI conviction and only one-year of probation. The North Star team achieved exactly what it set out to do, again.
Types of Charge(s): DWI Case Results, Misdemeanor

State v. C.G.

May, 2025
Charges: DWI-Refusal - Gross Misdemeanor; Fourth Degree DWI - Misdemeanor
Plea to an amended count of careless driving. Client was facing a gross misdemeanor refusal charge that was not beatable. But, Mr. Gempeler found a legal issue worth raising and then leveraged that into persistent plea negotiations that resulted in a non-DWI outcome - a truly remarkable outcome when facing a gross misdemeanor DWI charge. It goes to show that, even when facing daunting charges, the North Star team knows how to get creative and aggressive in implementing a unique strategy that nets these fantastic outcomes.
Types of Charge(s): DWI Case Results, Gross Misdemeanor

State v. L.E.

May, 2025
Charges: 4th Degree DWI, Careless Driving - Misdemeanors

Plea to a petty misdemeanor careless driving. Client was charged with a DWI despite blowing a .07. The State could have tried to prove impairment based on her overall conduct, including a decent, but not great, performance on standard field tests. The combination of a test result just under the legal limit with the other facts presented a challenge, but one that the North Star team was ready to fight at trial. Mr. Gempeler knows how to try cases and what facts to lean on when combatting these overzealous charges. On the doorstep of trial, the State finally relented and agreed to a petty misdemeanor traffic ticket. A petty misdemeanor is not a crime under Minnesota law. So, the end result is a non-criminal record, non-DWI, no probation, and no loss of license. This is a fantastic result for a client that was very nervous and anxious about the criminal process.