Richard P. Ohlenberg

Twin Cities Criminal Defense Lawyer

Prior Lake Office

16670 Franklin Trail SE
Suite 250
Prior Lake, MN 55372
(map & directions)

St. Louis Park Office

Park Place East
5775 Wayzata Blvd. , Suite 700
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
(map & directions)

Telephone: 952-447-1600
Fax: 952-447-4685
Email: richard@ohlenberglaw.com

Richard P. Ohlenberg

Let me introduce myself: My name is Richard Ohlenberg. I have 22 years of criminal defense experience. When I am hired by a new client, I first discuss the case with my client, I then obtain the police reports and videos in the case, if any. I then evaluate the case and talk to my client about the case. I think it is very important to understand what the client wants me to do with the case after we understand what the State’s evidence is in the case. The Client may decide that he want his Attorney to work out the best possible settlement in the case or that he wants schedule a hearing to see if the judge will agree to suppress certain evidence in the case, or he may want to have a jury or court trial in his case. Whatever the strategy, I work hard for my clients! I am a vigorous advocate and I try to get a positive outcome for my client in every case. I am immeadiate past Chair of the Criminal Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association for the 2016-2017 term. This is an extracurricular activity that I do, and it helps me to stay current and up to date on new issues that of importance to criminal law practice. Relationships that I have formed with Prosecutors who are also involved with the Bar Association are also important as these relationships give me credibility with the Prosecutors that I deal with in Court every day. I have been active in the Minnesota State Bar Association for over ten years.

Mr. Ohlenberg graduated in 1997 from the William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, and also holds an MBA degree in finance from New York University's Stern School of Business, and a B.A. in economics from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Mr. Ohlenberg has also been an Adjunct Faculty member at Inver Hills Community College which is part of the MNSCU system for the fall of 2011 teaching "Investigative and Interviewing Techniques" and "Constitutional Law"

Experience

  • 22 Years Experience,
  • Criminal Defense Practice
  • SuperLawyer: Voted Super Lawyer in 2018 by Thomson Reuters and SuperLawyers.com
  • Statewide practice/primarily focused on 7-County Metro area as well as the Mankato and St.Peter areas, representing clients in District Courts and also in Minnesota Courts of Appeals
  • Licensed Attorney in State of Minnesota since 1997; Federal Court, District of Minnesota, 2007
  • 2016-17 Chair, Minnesota State Bar Association Criminal Law Section
  • Speaker at Minnesota State Bar Association Seminar, "Immigration and Criminal Law Essentials: What Every Immigration Lawyer Needs to Know about Criminal Cases and Vice Versa," November 14, 2008, January 28, 2010 Offices of Dorsey & Whitney
  • Speaker at Minnesota State Bar Association Seminar, "Basic Training for Criminal Attorneys: Useful Courtroom Evidence and Ethics Tips No One Else Bothered to Tell You," November 2006
  • Jury Acquittals, dismissals, and successful resolutions in criminal cases including: drugs, criminal sexual conduct, theft, assault, and DWI/traffic offenses
  • Certified Criminal Law Specialist as Designated by the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) January 2016. Requirements met include:
    1. Passed Criminal Law exam demonstrating Special competence to the legal profession and to the public.
    2. Has practiced continuously in the area of criminal law for at least the five (5) years preceding certification.
    3. Has been principal cousel in a minimum of ten (10) jury trials in State Court and those trials include a total minimum number of thirty (30) days in trial.


Education

  • William Mitchell, College of Law, St. Paul, MN
    Juris Doctor (JD), May 1997; admitted to Minnesota State Bar - October 1997
    Law Review Staff Member, 1996-97

  • New York University, Stern School of Business
    M.B.A Finance Major, May 1985

  • Cornell University, College of Arts and Sciences
    • B.A Economics, May 1979


Published Minnesota Court of Appeals Cases:

  • State v. Polsfuss, 720 N.W.2d 1 (Minn. App. 2006)
  • City of New Brighton v. 2001 Ford Excursion, 622 N.W.2d 364 (Minn. App. 2001, rev. denied April 17, 2001)


Outside Activities

  • 2018 Minnesota Mock Trial Judge - High School Competition: Participated as a mock trial judge in Hennepin County mock trial competition, January 2018.
  • Presenter and Speaker at Criminal Law Section Mock Trial School for Attorneys held at University of St. Thomas Law School – May 4, 2017
  • March 18, 2016, Speaker at Everything BUT Trial School CLE; Topic: "Pretrial Motion Practice"
  • June 12, 2013, Speaker at Minnesota State Bar Association
    Topic: “Criminal Law: Answers to Questions Every Lawyer Should Know.”
  • Fall 2011/Inver Hills Community College - Part time Instructor IHCC teaching a 2 credit course in the Paralegal Program titled: "Interviewing and Investigative Techniques for Paralegals." Mr. Ohlenberg has also taught the Constitutional Law class for the Criminal Justice Program at Inver Hills Community College.
  • Participant, Minnesota Supreme Court, Criminal Justice Forum, Oct 2008-Dec 2009 (tasked with proposing cost reductions for court system)
  • Member, Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), 1997 to present
  • Speaker, MSBA seminar, "Intersection of Criminal and Immigration Law" CLE and reception,
  • January 28, 2010, Offices of Dorsey & Whitney, Minneapolis, MN