DWI Defense
A DWI arrest can involve a criminal case and a separate driver's-license process.
- Alcohol-impaired driving
- Drug- or cannabis-related DWI allegations
MSBA Certified Criminal Law Specialist
Bemidji criminal defense when the stakes are real.
I believe that every criminal and traffic accusation is serious, and I strive to protect my clients on every level.
Practice areas
Defense built around the charge, the court, and the person.
Criminal matters rarely fit a single label. These pages explain the issues the firm handles and the records that may matter first.
View every practice areaAssault & Domestic Violence
Assault allegations involving a partner, family member, or household member can affect housing, employment, parenting, and firearm rights.
- Fifth-degree assault
- Domestic assault
Firearm & Gun Rights
Firearm eligibility can be affected by convictions, orders, pending charges, and other legal events.
- Ineligible-person possession
- Pending-charge restrictions
More defense matters
Every charge deserves a careful reading of the facts, the evidence, and the court involved.
Drug CrimesDrug allegations can turn on the substance, quantity, location, testing, and how police obtained evidence.View detailsTheft & FraudTheft and fraud cases often involve records, digital evidence, alleged intent, and disputes about permission or ownership.View detailsSex OffensesSex-offense allegations are serious and can have lasting personal and legal consequences.View detailsViolent CrimesA violent-crime accusation can affect liberty, family, work, and firearm eligibility from the first court appearance.View detailsFederal & Tribal JurisdictionCases involving Tribal Nations, federal courts, and overlapping state authority can turn on the exact location, people involved, alleged offense, and governing law.View details
Professional credentialMSBA Certified Criminal Law SpecialistMinnesota State Bar Association
A career focused on criminal defense
Criminal defense has been the focus of my career.
Criminal defense has been at the center of my practice for nearly three decades. I am a Criminal Law Specialist, certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association. This independently recognized credential reflects focused experience in this area of law.
- 1996
- Minnesota admission
- 1997
- North Dakota admission
- Federal
- U.S. District Court · District of Minnesota
The credentials matter. The work remains personal. I take every accusation seriously and help each client understand what comes next.
A steady process when things feel uncertain
You do not have to sort through this alone.
Facing a charge or investigation can bring questions about court, work, your license, or your family all at once. My approach is shaped by nearly three decades in criminal defense. I listen carefully, identify what needs attention now, and build a clear plan around the facts, the law, and your priorities.
Bring the paperwork you have. We can begin with the next decision in front of you.
Start a conversationStart with your story.
I start by listening to what happened, the paperwork you received, and what is weighing on you most, not just the charge on the page.
Identify what is urgent.
I review court dates, release conditions, testing or driver’s-license notices, and other immediate decisions before turning to questions that need deeper investigation.
Build around the facts.
I assess the evidence, police procedure, jurisdiction, and available options, then explain how each one affects the choices ahead.
Prepare for every stage.
Whether the matter calls for a motion, negotiation, hearing, or trial, I prepare carefully and keep you informed about where the case stands.
Public Google reviews
What people say about working with Blair.
4.7 / 5Google · 30 reviewsChecked August 25, 2026He always kept me well informed and was only a phone call away.
He is the most down to earth attorney I’ve ever spoken with and worked with.
Reviewer names are abbreviated for privacy. Excerpts are from publicly posted Google reviews. They describe individual experiences and do not predict or guarantee a result.
Read all 30 Google reviewsCase results
Experience shown through the record.
Selected matters show how preparation, motion practice, negotiation, and trial work can shape a case. Every matter is different, and no outcome is guaranteed.
View case resultsMinnesota's permit-to-carry age restriction was held unconstitutional.
U.S. District Court and Eighth CircuitA jury returned a not-guilty verdict on the felony assault charge.
Clearwater CountyA gross-misdemeanor cannabis DWI charge was dismissed.
Hubbard CountyClient resources
Answers worth finding before the next court date.
Each guide begins with an official Minnesota or federal source and is written to be useful without pretending general information is individual advice.
Browse all resourcesAfter a DWI Arrest in Minnesota: A Practical Starting Point
The first steps after a DWI arrest involve preserving paperwork, separating the criminal and license processes, and reading every notice for its own deadline.
Read the Minnesota DWI arrest guideRestoring Firearm Rights in Minnesota: Questions to Ask
Minnesota has different rules for different firearm disabilities. Identify the source of every state and federal prohibition before considering a petition.
Read the Minnesota firearm-rights guideTribal, State, and Federal Criminal Jurisdiction in Minnesota
Location, legal status, the alleged offense, Public Law 280, and the Red Lake exception can all matter when identifying the proper forum.
Read the Tribal, state, and federal jurisdiction guideBemidji & Northern Minnesota
A local office in a region with its own legal realities.
Rural distance, firearm ownership, tribal and federal jurisdiction, and court schedules across the Northland all shape how a defense matter moves. Local context does not replace legal analysis, but it can make that analysis more useful.
Explore areas servedBemidji office205 7th Street NW, Suite 3
Bemidji, MN 56601218-444-4531
Bemidji, MN 56601218-444-4531
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Get directionsCommon questions
The first answers should reduce uncertainty.
Call if your question is tied to an upcoming hearing, a written order, or a license notice.
What should I do first after an arrest or criminal charge?
Keep every citation, release order, notice, and testing document. Follow all court conditions, avoid discussing the case online, and call a lawyer who can review the actual paperwork.
Does Blair handle cases outside Bemidji?
The firm serves clients in Bemidji, Beltrami County, and across Northern Minnesota. Blair is also admitted in North Dakota and the U.S. District Court for Minnesota. Availability depends on the court and matter.
What does MSBA Certified Criminal Law Specialist mean?
Blair Nelson is a Criminal Law Specialist, certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association. This credential reflects focused experience in criminal law.
Does contacting the firm create an attorney-client relationship?
No. Representation begins only after the firm confirms it can accept the matter and both sides complete the required engagement process. Do not send confidential details through a general form.
Talk with the firm
A charge can change quickly. Your next step should be informed.
Call 218-766-4936Request a consultationDo not send confidential details until representation is confirmed.