How a public defender represents you 

General information on the court process from the State of Minnesota Board of Public Defenders 

State of Minnesota Board of Public Defense 

Information on how to obtain a public defender in Minnesota

Information on criminal process in Minnesota

A fact sheet on criminal process

Criminal history record

Information on criminal history records from the MN Department of Public Safety

Meeting with an attorney

A checklist of documents your attorney will need

Prisoners' rights and resources

Legal rights and resources for prisoners from FindLaw.com

Pro Se Prisoner Resources

The resources on this page apply to civil cases that are filed by federal and state prisoners and motions filed in federal criminal cases under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. The resources include guidebooks, information sheets, and forms.

Criminal Defense Services

Legal services to serve low-income criminal defendants in Ramsey County

Neighborhood Justice Center

A community law office dedicated to providing criminal defense services for low income persons of the the Twin Cities and East Metro area

Legal Rights Center

Lawyers who defend adults and juveniles in criminal cases heard in any Hennepin County courtroom

List of Community Resources for Ex-Offenders

compiled by the Council on Crime and Justice

Washington County Criminal Defense Panel Program

People charged with a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony in Washington County may get some brief legal help from a private attorney in this program free of charge. Call (651) 748-9373 for details.

Washington County Legal Advice Clinic: Criminal Law

Free 30-minute consult with a volunteer attorney for people who live in or have a court case in Washington County. Get legal advice on and help with matters such as traffic tickets, drivers license questions, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, felonies, probation violations, and expungements. This advice clinic is available on a first come-first serve basis every Wednesday from 10:00a - 12:00p in the Washington County Court Self-Service Center. Call (651)398-8811 for more details.

Criminal Defense Services, Inc.

Low-income defendants in Ramsey County who are not eligible for a Public Defender can see if they qualify for legal help by talking with an attorney from CDSI at their arraignment (first hearing) at the Ramsey County Courthouse.

Misdemeanor Defense Project (Hennepin County Bar Assoc.)

Misdemeanor Defense Project provides volunteer attorneys each day at the four Hennepin County courthouses to give brief advice without charge to persons facing misdemeanor criminal charges. Call 612-752-6666 for more information.