Minnesota Court Records
- Search By:
- Name
- Case Number
MinnesotaCourtRecords.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on MinnesotaCourtRecords.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
How Much over the Speed limit is a Felony in Minnesota?
Speeding in Minnesota is not a felony-level offense unless linked to other behaviors or outcomes. The Minnesota Statute does not specify a threshold for classifying speeding violations as felonies. Minnesota speeding violations are misdemeanor offenses. These range from petty misdemeanors for driving between 30 mph and 50 mph above the limits to misdemeanors (100 mph or more) and gross misdemeanors for speeding with reckless or dangerous driving.
Notwithstanding the misdemeanor classification, a speeding offense in Minnesota may result in felony charges involving reckless behavior, harm to others, fleeing to evade a peace officer, or fatalities.
Is Speeding a Felony in Minnesota?
No, speeding in Minnesota is not a felony. Minnesota Statutes (§§ 169.89 and §§ 169.14) classify speeding within the state as civil infractions or misdemeanors. However, speeding on Minnesota roads may result in felony charges involving reckless and criminal behaviors, fatalities, evading a police officer, or repeat offenses. For instance, a speeding citation in Minnesota can be a gross misdemeanor at most, regardless of the speed, but becomes a felony if it involves harm to others or causes the death of another person.
Can a Speeding Ticket Become a Felony in Minnesota?
Yes, a speeding ticket can become a felony in Minnesota. While Minnesota law typically classifies speeding as a misdemeanor, certain aggravating factors can elevate the charges to a felony. For instance, if a driver speeds recklessly to evade a peace officer, or if their speeding results in bodily harm or death, the charges can become felony-level.
Minnesota has no specific miles-per-hour threshold that elevates speeding violations to felonies. Nonetheless, a driver may face felony charges for:
- Fleeing from a peace officer in a vehicle
- Causing bodily harm or death while fleeing the police
- Speeding under the influence with three or more previous DWI violations
- Speeding while impaired and with previous vehicular crimes
- Causing injuries or fatalities due to excessive speeding.
Types of Speeding Tickets in Minnesota: Infraction, Misdemeanor, or Felony
In Minnesota, there are three legal classifications for speeding violations. Depending on the aggravating factors or outcomes of the offense, Minnesota classifies a speeding violation as either an infraction (petty misdemeanor), a misdemeanor, or a felony. The table outlines the distinctions between the classes of speeding violations in Minnesota.
| Offense Type | Definition | Legal Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Infraction | Non-criminal speeding offenses typically result in fines. For instance, driving 1 to 9 mph over the limit | Petty Misdemeanor |
| Misdemeanor | Criminal speeding violations that involve reckless and criminal conduct. For example, driving 40 mph or more over the limit or speeding while under the influence of drugs or alcohol | Misdemeanor or Gross Misdemeanor |
| Felony | Speeding, along with dangerous criminal behaviors, is a felony in Minnesota. A speeding offense may elevate to a felony if it causes injuries or death or if the driver flees from peace officers. | Felony. |
Penalties for Felony Speeding Tickets in Minnesota
A felony conviction for speeding in Minnesota carries significant penalties beyond typical fines, demerit points, and license suspension. The specific offense determines the exact penalties. In Minnesota, the penalties for a felony speeding ticket may include jail time and a permanent criminal record, which may negatively impact employment opportunities, insurance rates, or housing choices. The following details outline the penalties for felony speeding tickets in Minnesota.
The penalties for a felony conviction for speeding in Minnesota depend on the specific offense. Felony convictions for speeding in Minnesota carry penalties beyond fines, demerit points, and license suspension. In Minnesota, the penalties for a felony speeding ticket may include jail time and a permanent criminal record. The following details outline the penalties for felony speeding tickets in Minnesota.
| Penalty | Details |
|---|---|
| Fines | Fines can reach up to $5,000.00 for basic felonies, such as fleeing from peace officers, and range between $10,000.00 and $20,000.00 for speeding resulting in injuries or death |
| License Suspension | Mandatory 1-year to 3-year license suspension applies, and this period may extend if the speeding results in injury or death |
| Vehicle Forfeiture | A driver may forfeit the vehicle used in a speeding violation if the offense involves fleeing from peace officers or repeat DWI (this excludes stolen vehicles) |
| Jail Time | Offenders may face up to 3 years in jail for fleeing from peace officers, and between 10 and 40 years for offenses resulting in injuries or fatalities |
| Criminal Record | A felony conviction for speeding in Minnesota may result in a permanent criminal record (unless the court orders its removal). |
How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Minnesota?
A standard Minnesota speeding ticket typically stays on a record for 5 years. This retention period applies to traffic Infractions (petty misdemeanors). However, if the speeding offense involves severe criminal behaviors, such as fleeing from peace officers, injuries to third parties, or vehicular manslaughter, the retention periods may extend up to 10 years.
In Minnesota, individuals can petition the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) to remove standard speeding tickets from their records 5 years after their conviction or payment. Additionally, successfully contesting Minnesota traffic court records in court may prevent them from appearing on driver's records.
During their retention periods, Minnesota speeding tickets may be accessible to courts, law enforcement, insurance companies, and employers. Insurance companies operating in Minnesota often employ a 3-year lookback period when accessing records for setting premiums. Consequently, the impact of speeding tickets on insurance coverage in Minnesota may diminish after 3 years.
Can a Speeding Ticket Be Expunged from Your Record in Minnesota?
Yes, speeding tickets are expungeable in Minnesota. Under Section 609A.02 of Minnesota Statutes, individuals can petition the courts to expunge petty misdemeanors (including speeding tickets) after 2 years. The Minnesota Clean Slate Act allows automatic removal of eligible speeding tickets, making them invisible to the public but accessible to law enforcement and other relevant agencies. Nonetheless, a speeding citation will remain on an individual's official driving record with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS/DVS) for 5 years, then drop off automatically.