Strategic defense for criminal charges in Hennepin County. Keil Defense serves clients in the Minneapolis / Central Metro, with preparation focused on the local court process, hearing logistics, release conditions, and the consequences that matter most.
Where We Practice
A practice concentrated in Hennepin County and the surrounding region.
Keil Defense takes cases across Minnesota, but the majority of the firm's work is concentrated in a group of counties — Hennepin County among them — where the firm appears regularly and knows how the local courts actually operate. That day-to-day familiarity is the point: knowing how this court schedules hearings, handles release conditions, and moves cases. If your case is elsewhere in Minnesota, that doesn't put it out of reach — it's worth a call to talk through.
Local Service Area
Cities and communities served in Hennepin County.
Keil Defense represents clients throughout Hennepin County, including matters connected to these communities and surrounding areas.
Court Process
Hennepin County courthouse and local process.
Hennepin County criminal cases are handled in Minnesota's Fourth Judicial District, with district court proceedings centered in Minneapolis. Criminal matters in Hennepin County are heard at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487. Keil Defense prepares for the Hennepin County process - hearing logistics, release conditions, custody status, and the consequences that matter most - with attention to how this court actually operates.
For legal explanations, use the related practice pages. This page stays focused on Hennepin County, local court logistics, and the first steps toward representation.
Minneapolis / Central Metro
Local Practice
How Hennepin County handles criminal cases.
Where cases are heard
- Government Center
- The Hennepin County Government Center at 300 South 6th Street in Minneapolis is listed as hearing criminal cases. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin County courthouse locations
- Public Safety Facility
- The Public Safety Facility at 401 4th Avenue South in Minneapolis is listed as hearing criminal and traffic cases. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin County courthouse locations
- Brookdale service center
- The Brookdale Regional Service Center at 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway in Brooklyn Center is listed as hearing criminal and traffic cases. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin County courthouse locations
- Ridgedale service center
- The Ridgedale Regional Service Center at 12601 Ridgedale Drive in Minnetonka is listed as hearing criminal and traffic cases. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin County courthouse locations
- Suburban court case types
- The suburban courts are responsible for processing all non-felony traffic and criminal cases for the cities in their jurisdictions. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin suburban courts
- In-person suburban hearings
- The Brookdale and Ridgedale suburban court locations hold in-person hearings, and the only hearings held remote are the payable arraignment calendars. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin suburban courts
- Cases heard downtown
- Bloomington, Metropolitan Airport Commission, and Richfield cases go to the downtown Minneapolis court locations. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin suburban courts
- Cities served by Brookdale
- The Brookdale location serves Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Corcoran, Crystal, Golden Valley, Greenfield, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Robbinsdale, and Rogers, as well as parts of Dayton, Hanover, Rockford, and St. Anthony in Hennepin County. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin suburban courts
- Cities served by Ridgedale
- The Ridgedale location serves Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Independence, the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District, Long Lake, Loretto, Maple Plain, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Plymouth, Shorewood, Spring Park, St. Bonifacius, St. Louis Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata, and Woodland. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin suburban courts
Treatment and specialty courts
- Where treatment courts sit
- All of the treatment or hybrid courts are currently housed at the Division 1 location, at the Hennepin County Government Center. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin treatment courts
- Triage screening
- Hennepin County Treatment Courts uses a triage screening process for defendants who are referred to any type of treatment court to determine eligibility, and triage screening is conducted by a panel of social workers and probation officers. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin treatment courts
- Criminal Mental Health Court
- Criminal Mental Health Court serves defendants charged with a criminal offense who are struggling with serious mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders, and it is a 12-18 month voluntary program. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin treatment courts
- Drug Court
- Drug Court is a voluntary, minimum 12-month, post-conviction program, and it targets adult, non-violent, chemically dependent, felony property and drug offenders who are at high risk to reoffend. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin treatment courts
- DWI Court
- DWI Court is a voluntary, minimum 18-month, post-conviction program that focuses on the specific issues of repeat DWI offenders. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin treatment courts
- Veterans Court
- Veterans Court serves veterans charged with a criminal offense who are struggling with addiction, serious mental illness, and/or co-occurring disorders, and it is a 12-18 month coordinated program. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin treatment courts
Local court practice
- Warrant helpline
- Hennepin County Criminal Court has a warrant helpline where you can call or email to get information about your warrant and schedule a court hearing, and the warrant stays active until you go to court. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin Criminal Court
- Warrants that cannot be scheduled
- Warrants for missing a trial, warrants for certain probation violations, complaint warrants, and warrants for failure to appear at the Workhouse/Adult Correctional Facility are not eligible to schedule court over the phone. If a warrant is not eligible, you need to turn yourself in at the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility at 401 4th Avenue South in downtown Minneapolis. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin Criminal Court
- Rescheduling - defendants
- Defendants with an attorney are told to talk to their attorney; defendants without an attorney can call the Criminal Court to find out if it is possible to change the hearing date. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin Criminal Court FAQ
- Rescheduling - attorneys
- Attorneys must have e-filed a Certificate of Representation with the court, or be listed as the attorney of record, in order to request a continuance. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch - Hennepin Criminal Court FAQ
Local procedures change. Confirm current practice with the court or with counsel.
Common Cases
Common criminal defense matters in Hennepin County.
DWI / DUI
Defense planning for the criminal charge, license consequences, court dates, and evidence review.
Full Practice PageDomestic Assault
Careful handling of no-contact conditions, witness statements, and the practical consequences around the case.
Full Practice PageFelony Defense
Serious felony allegations require early release strategy, evidence review, and trial-level preparation.
Full Practice PageDANCO / No-Contact Orders
Guidance for court-ordered contact restrictions, alleged violations, and modification issues.
Full Practice PageOFP / HRO Matters
Preparation for restraining order hearings and overlap with related criminal allegations.
Full Practice PageProbation Violations
Fast review of alleged violations, warrants, custody status, and contested hearing options.
Full Practice PageDrug Charges
Review of search, seizure, possession, treatment, diversion, and probation issues.
Full Practice PageAssault
A defense approach built around the incident, witness accounts, digital evidence, and available defenses.
Full Practice PageTheft
Representation for theft allegations, restitution issues, diversion possibilities, and record concerns.
Full Practice PageVehicle / Property Forfeiture
Fast review when the State moves to take a vehicle or property connected to a DWI or drug case.
Full Practice PageExpungements
Record-sealing strategy for eligible Minnesota cases after review of the court history.
Full Practice PageCHIPS / Child Protection
Focused guidance when criminal allegations, protective orders, or CPS concerns overlap.
Full Practice PageWhat to Expect
Preparing for Hennepin County criminal court.
Clients should track the next court date, whether appearance is in person or remote, release conditions, no-contact restrictions, custody status, and any paperwork received from the court, prosecutor, probation, or law enforcement.
Keil Defense reviews the case posture, the county process, and the practical steps needed before the next hearing.
Nearby Counties
Related service areas.
Scott County Criminal Defense
Nearby county page for Scott County.
County PageCarver County Criminal Defense
Nearby county page for Carver County.
County PageAnoka County Criminal Defense
Nearby county page for Anoka County.
County PageWashington County Criminal Defense
Nearby county page for Washington County.
County PageFAQ
Common questions
Do you only practice in Hennepin County?
No. Keil Defense takes cases across Minnesota. The majority of the firm's work is concentrated in a group of counties, Hennepin County among them, where the firm appears regularly and knows the local court process. Cases elsewhere in the state are worth a call to discuss.
Can Keil Defense represent me in Hennepin County court?
Keil Defense represents clients in Hennepin County criminal cases after the firm has agreed to representation in writing.
What should I bring to a Hennepin County court date?
Bring court notices, complaint or citation paperwork, release conditions, no-contact order paperwork, probation documents, and any materials your attorney asks you to bring.
What if my next court date in Hennepin County is coming up soon?
Call the firm or request a consultation as soon as possible so timing, custody status, court conditions, and deadlines can be reviewed.
Are Hennepin County suburban court hearings in person or remote?
The court says the Brookdale and Ridgedale suburban courts hold in-person hearings, and that the payable arraignment calendars are the only hearings held remotely there.
Where will my misdemeanor case be heard if I was charged in a Hennepin County suburb?
Some suburban jurisdictions are heard at the downtown Minneapolis court locations, and the court publishes a full list of the jurisdictions heard at each court location. The suburban courts process all non-felony traffic and criminal cases for the cities in their jurisdictions.
I missed court in Hennepin County and have a warrant. Can I schedule a new date?
Hennepin County Criminal Court has a warrant helpline where you can call or email to get information about your warrant and schedule a court hearing, but your warrant stays active until you go to court.
Does Hennepin County have a DWI court?
Yes. DWI Court is a voluntary, minimum 18-month, post-conviction program that focuses on the specific issues of repeat DWI offenders.
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts and circumstances.