Minneapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer

Experienced Appellate Advocate.

Steven J. Wright is a criminal defense attorney who fights for the rights of people in courtrooms throughout the state of Minnesota. At the trial level, he has gotten evidence suppressed and charges dismissed, defending people charged with every type of crime, from drug possession and DWI to theft to assault and murder. At the trial level, he has gotten evidence thrown out and charges dismissed. He has successfully negotiated plea deals that have saved his clients from lengthy jail sentences or enormous fines. An experienced appellate advocate, he has persuaded courts to overturn numerous felony convictions, including manslaughter, assault, reckless discharge of a firearm, and tax evasion. If you’ve been charged with a crime, do not wait. Contact Steven J. Wright today for your free consultation. He will explain the process to you so that you fully understand your options, and then he will fight to see that your rights are respected.

Areas of criminal defense practice

Appeals & Post Convictions

DWI

Vehicle Forfeitures

License Revocations

Drug Crimes

Domestic Assault

Burglary

Other Types Of Cases

Get to know Steven J. WRIGHT

About Steven J. Wright

I first came to Minnesota in 2003 to attend law school at the University of Minnesota. I sought every opportunity to prepare myself for a life in criminal defense. Stepping outside the classroom, I represented actual clients with the Anoka County Public Defender, the Federal Defender’s Office in Minneapolis, the Office of the State Appellate Defender in Chicago, and with the Innocence Project of Minnesota. I also started working with Robert M. Christensen, P.L.C., joining the firm as an associate after graduation. This year, I went out on my own, establishing The Law Office of Steven J. Wright. I became a criminal defense attorney because I want to help balance the scales in the battle between the government and the people. The police and the prosecutors start out with an enormous advantage, and only a skilled and dedicated attorney can make sure that a citizen’s rights are respected.

Hear From our Clients

Trustworthy and dependable. He is excellent at keeping in contact with you throughout entire case. He not only takes the time to completely understand your case, but also you as an individual. This is the first (hopefully only) time I’ve needed a lawyer. I am not disappointed in my decision to hire Steven Wright.

-K.T.

Honest and respectful and if he don’t have the answer to your question he’ll go find it. Being an attorney they’re always busy but Steven will respond quickly most times. He’s not one of those pushy attorneys that just wants your money. Explains everything thoroughly and if you don’t understand something he’ll explain it. He’s patient and understanding of your situation and he cares about how you’re feeling about your case, you’re not just another client to him. He’s very informative about your case so if something comes up he’ll let you know right away. He’s helpful before and after your case. I would highly recommend Steven.

-L.L.

Steven is an excellent attorney and made my entire experience much better than it could have been. He is extremely intelligent and respectful of clients. He worked with me every step of the way and explained everything so I knew what to expect, and never pushed me in any direction. As a result I got an outcome better than what I would have gotten with another attorney.

-S.M.

Very great attorney. I would recommend using his services. He goes out of his way to serve his clients!!

-A.J.

He’s very patient with all the questions I’ve had about my case and knowledgable. As being an attorney he’s very busy but always responds back on time and most times quickly about it too. He’s helped with letting me know what’s going on with my case and what I should and shouldn’t before and after my trial. Very kind and not pushing you to buy his service like some attorneys I’ve spoken with in the past. He doesn’t act like he knows everything either. If you’re looking for someone who is patient, kind and not pushy I would recommend Steven! If he don’t have the answer to your question he’ll go find it! He’s honest and understanding of the situation, you’re not just another client he’s making money off from he actually cares about thw whole situation and what you’re going through. He explains everything very well and if you don’t understand something he’ll explain it to you. If you’re looking for someone you can trust and not have them try to push you for their service I would definitly recommend Steven! Good Luck on your case!

-Anonymous

-S.L.

United States v. $68,350 in U.S. Currency (District of Minnesota 2019)

The client was traveling through MSP Airport with a large amount of cash. Federal agents found the cash and confiscated all of it. Under forfeiture laws, government agents are permitted to take any assets they believe comes from criminal activity, without any requirement that they justify their actions before taking the money. Victims then have to follow a very specific set of procedures in order to even attempt to get their money back. In this case, I immediately filed a claim challenging the seizure, pointing out that my client had legitimate reasons to be traveling with the money and that there was no reason to think it came from an illegal source. Without any court proceedings, the DEA ultimately agreed...

State v. A.R.Z. (Dakota County 2019)

The client was charged with possession of methamphetamine. I argued that the police violated my client's constitutional rights when they rummaged through his pockets without justification. The judge issued an order approving the search. I then filed a motion asking the judge to reverse himself, arguing that the judge had made a mistake. These motions are rarely filed, and it's even rarer that they succeed. But the judge agreed with me that his initial order had been wrong. He suppressed the evidence against my client and dismissed the criminal charges.

State v. J.M. (Ramsey County 2018)

The client, who had already twice violated his probation for Possession of Child Pornography, was charged with several new counts of Possession of Child Pornography. There were no defenses available, and the state sentencing guidelines said he should serve a lengthy prison sentence. The prosecutor asked for 57 months. After extensive preparation with the client, I showed the sentencing judge that the client was thriving in therapy. I argued that he could be trusted to succeed on probation despite his record and his new convictions. It was a close call, but the judge ultimately agreed with my argument and placed the client back on probation.

State v. T.T. (Hennepin County 2018)

The client was charged with Domestic Assault. As a nurse with a clean record, she was very concerned about how the charges and any potential conviction would affect her ability to practice. After extensive trial preparation and careful negotiation, I was able to convince the prosecutor to drop the Domestic Assault charge and charge the matter as Disorderly Conduct. My client then entered into an agreement where, after a year, the charge will be dismissed, and she will be able to have all records of the arrest and the charges sealed.

United States v. B.S. (District of Minnesota 2018)

The client was a juvenile charged with Assault with Intent to Commit Murder. The government was threatening to prosecute the client as an adult. After careful and extensive investigation, I and my co-counsel negotiated a settlement where the client admitted committing Assault Causing Bodily Injury, a much less serious offense. More importantly, the client will stay in the juvenile system, getting needed therapy, education, and rehabilitation, and the client will not be saddled with the burden of an adult felony conviction.

I Will Fight To Protect Your Rights