Robert H. Ambrose earned the Rising Star Award for four consecutive years and the AVVO Client Choice Award for five consecutive years before founding his own practice, doing so after building his foundational experience at reputable criminal defense firms where he developed the DWI and criminal defense litigation skills that now define Ambrose Law Firm, PLLC in Woodbury, Minnesota.
Introduction
Ambrose Law Firm, PLLC operates at 670 Commerce Drive, Suite 225, Woodbury, MN 55125, and can be reached at 651-800-4842. The firm is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, a commitment that reflects the reality of criminal cases: arrests happen at night, bail hearings occur on weekends, and clients in crisis need access to their attorney regardless of the clock. The firm’s motto, “Helping Good People in Unfortunate Situations,” captures the perspective it brings to its clients, recognizing that good people sometimes face bad circumstances and that those circumstances deserve serious, respectful legal defense.
The practice covers DWI/DUI defense, drug crimes, assault, theft, fraud, probation violations, expungements, juvenile law, and professional license defense, among other areas. The firm serves clients in Woodbury, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and throughout the surrounding Twin Cities metro area, and handles cases in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.
More information is at ambroselaw247.com.
Practice Areas
DWI and DUI Defense
DWI defense is a central focus of Ambrose Law Firm’s practice. Minnesota DWI law is complex, with multiple degrees of offense and a separate implied consent system that affects driver’s license status independently of the criminal case. The firm has a record of significant DWI and criminal defense victories protecting clients’ constitutional rights in Minnesota courts.
A DWI charge requires simultaneous attention to the criminal case and the administrative license proceedings. Missing deadlines on the license side can result in revocation regardless of how the criminal case resolves. The firm handles both dimensions, ensuring that clients do not lose their licenses by default while the criminal case remains active.
More serious DWI-related charges, including criminal vehicular homicide, are also handled. These cases carry felony-level consequences and require the kind of thorough preparation and constitutional analysis that distinguishes effective criminal defense from merely going through the motions.
Drug Crimes
Minnesota drug crimes are graded from fifth-degree possession through first-degree sales of controlled substances, with penalty exposure that increases sharply at higher degrees. The firm handles the full spectrum of drug charge severity, from first-offense possession cases through the most serious sales and trafficking charges.
Drug charge defense often involves constitutional questions about the legality of the stop, the search, and the seizure that produced the evidence. The firm’s focus on protecting constitutional rights in Minnesota courts applies directly in these cases, where suppression of illegally obtained evidence can determine the outcome.
Assault
Assault charges in Minnesota range from misdemeanor fifth-degree assault through felony first-degree assault, with the degree determined by the seriousness of the injury, the use of a weapon, and other aggravating factors. The firm handles assault cases across this spectrum, building defense strategies that address both the factual allegations and the applicable legal standards.
Theft and Fraud
Theft charges in Minnesota include shoplifting, property theft, and more sophisticated financial fraud matters. Fraud charges can arise in contexts ranging from insurance fraud to Medicare fraud to embezzlement. The firm handles these cases, including Medicare fraud and embezzlement matters, which are among the more document-intensive categories of criminal defense.
Probation Violations
A probation violation allegation can result in incarceration even for clients who have otherwise been complying with the terms of their supervision. The firm represents clients in probation violation hearings, arguing for alternatives to revocation where the facts and circumstances support that position.
Expungements
Minnesota expungement law has expanded in recent years, making more criminal records eligible for sealing than was previously the case. An expunged record is no longer visible in most background checks, which can significantly improve a person’s employment and housing prospects. The firm handles expungement petitions, advising clients on eligibility and managing the petition process.
Juvenile Law
Young people who face criminal charges are subject to a different legal framework than adults, one that emphasizes rehabilitation and takes into account age-specific considerations. The firm represents juveniles in delinquency proceedings, providing defense representation that is calibrated to the distinct standards and goals of the juvenile system.
Professional License Defense
A criminal charge does not only threaten freedom. For licensed professionals, including healthcare providers, teachers, attorneys, and others regulated by state licensing boards, a criminal charge or conviction can trigger license suspension or revocation proceedings that operate separately from the criminal case. The firm handles professional license defense and health licensing board matters, representing clients who face dual jeopardy: criminal consequences and professional consequences from the same underlying event.
Underage Drinking and Marijuana Possession
Less serious charges, including underage drinking and marijuana possession, can still affect a young person’s record, educational opportunities, and future employment. The firm handles these matters with the same attention to legal detail that it applies to more serious charges.
Attorney Profiles
Robert H. Ambrose founded the firm after building his foundation at well-regarded criminal defense practices in Minnesota, where he developed specific proficiency in DWI defense and criminal litigation. His track record of protecting constitutional rights in Minnesota courts is supported by peer and client recognition: the Rising Star Award for four consecutive years and the AVVO Client Choice Award for five consecutive years. These designations, one peer-based and one client-based, reflect a practitioner recognized from both directions.
His decision to found his own practice reflects a specific vision of how a criminal defense firm should operate: personally accessible to clients, available around the clock, and structured to provide the kind of individualized attention that distinguishes the firm’s “Helping Good People in Unfortunate Situations” philosophy from a purely transactional approach to legal services.
Benjamin W. Koll contributes to the firm’s legal work, expanding the firm’s capacity to serve clients across its practice areas.
Location and Service Area
The firm’s office is at 670 Commerce Drive, Suite 225, Woodbury, MN 55125. Woodbury is located in Washington County, directly east of St. Paul, and sits within easy reach of the broader Twin Cities metropolitan area. The firm serves clients in Woodbury, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and surrounding communities throughout the Twin Cities metro.
The firm also handles cases in Wisconsin in addition to Minnesota, extending its geographic reach for clients whose matters cross the state line.
Phone: 651-800-4842. Available 24/7.
Client Focus
The 24/7 availability model at Ambrose Law Firm is not a marketing claim, it is a structural commitment. Criminal situations do not conform to business hours. Arrests happen at night. Bond hearings occur in the morning. A client who is held overnight and needs to reach their attorney before a morning hearing cannot wait until 9 a.m. The firm’s around-the-clock accessibility reflects a deliberate decision to be available when clients actually need access.
The motto “Helping Good People in Unfortunate Situations” also describes a specific client orientation. People facing criminal charges are not defined by those charges. They are employees, parents, professionals, and community members whose situations have intersected with the criminal justice system. The firm’s approach treats clients with that recognition rather than as case numbers.
Free, confidential consultations are offered, providing a low-barrier entry point for people who need to understand their situation before making any decisions about representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ambrose Law Firm handle both Minnesota and Wisconsin criminal cases?
Yes. The firm handles cases in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, making it a resource for clients whose matters arise in either state or who live near the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.
What does the Rising Star Award signify?
The Rising Star Award is a peer-recognition designation that identifies attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional performance early in their careers. Robert Ambrose received this recognition for four consecutive years, reflecting sustained peer acknowledgment of his legal work during that period.
Can a criminal conviction affect my professional license?
Yes. Licensed professionals in fields including healthcare, education, law, and others governed by state licensing boards may face separate proceedings before those boards when they are charged with or convicted of criminal offenses. The firm handles professional license defense and health licensing board matters as a distinct area of practice, recognizing that the professional consequences of a criminal charge can be as significant as the criminal penalties themselves.
What is the difference between a Minnesota DWI expungement and a standard criminal expungement?
Minnesota expungement law covers a range of criminal records, with eligibility depending on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and how much time has passed since the case was resolved. DWI records have specific expungement rules. The firm evaluates each client’s situation individually and advises on eligibility and realistic outcomes for expungement petitions.
How do I reach Ambrose Law Firm?
The firm can be reached at 651-800-4842, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The office is at 670 Commerce Drive, Suite 225, Woodbury, MN 55125. Free confidential consultations are available. Additional information is at ambroselaw247.com.
Closing
Five consecutive years of AVVO Client Choice recognition and four consecutive Rising Star designations, combined with a practice built from experience at established Minnesota criminal defense firms: these are the credentials behind Ambrose Law Firm, PLLC’s Twin Cities practice. The 24/7 availability model addresses one of the most practical problems criminal defendants face: needing legal counsel at hours when most offices are closed. The professional license defense practice recognizes a dimension of criminal charges that many practitioners overlook. For individuals in Woodbury, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and surrounding Minnesota and Wisconsin communities who need serious criminal defense representation, the firm’s number is 651-800-4842, available day and night.