James M Ventura

PRO

James M Ventura

5.0
25 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 42 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Wayzata, MN
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI

1000 Twelve Oaks Center Dr, Suite 100, Wayzata, MN

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About James

Biography

Have you been charged with a crime? Please call (952) 260-0649 for a free consultation.

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

50%
DUI and DWI 50%

50%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Platinum Client Champion
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Minnesota for 42 years

State: Minnesota

Acquired: 1983

Authorized to Practice

No misconduct found

Location

James M. Ventura, Attorney at Law

1000 Twelve Oaks Center Dr, Suite 100, Wayzata, MN, 55391-4704

jamesventuralaw.com

James M Ventura's Reviews

5 star

(14)

4 star

(0)

3 star

(0)

2 star

(0)

1 star

(0)

Posted by Kenna | June 11, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Experienced, wise and direct, I’m so grateful for his help.

I was not being pro active and my first call to Mr Ventura was an eye opener. I learned the term “ostrich with head in the sand.” He had me pegged, and I loved it. He spoke to me with such knowledge and suggestions that I needed to grasp and take action with. He is a special kind of attorney in that ...he makes himself available for his clients, including calling him on his cell phone. We haven’t met in person as I’m in another state, still he treated me and my situation in a timely manner and having him as my attorney was such a blessing. It was with his help that it got handled luckily split. I would absolutely recommend his office! This is a fact!

Posted by Mitchell | August 12, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

DUI/DWI

James Ventura is amazing at his job! James has great communication and follows up regularly, answered all my questions with a clear up front message. After the final court date awaiting the decision. Jim and I got to know each other on a personal level, family, friends and life in general. It’s lik...e the saying, “Work hard Play hard”. Hands down James Ventura is a great person, let him do his job!!! Thank you again!!! Jim Ventura

Posted by ken | July 7, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Legitimate miracle worker!

If you are looking for serious criminal defense, look no further than Jim Ventura. I met Jim after I was arrested and charged with illegal possession of firearms and illegal distribution of explosives. Since I had prior federal convictions for both of those things, I was looking at the prospect of ...dying in federal prison. By far, the gun charges were the most serious as they would have mandated a prison sentence of 10 years or more. Somehow, Mr. Ventura got the gun charges dropped. This is simply unheard of. And I was not caught with my grandfather's .22 rifle and 50 rounds of ammo. I was found in possession of numerous guns, (again) including an assault rifle (again) and almost 10,000 rounds of ammunition (again). Given these facts, and my criminal history, Harry Houdini could not have made those gun charges disappear but somehow Mr. Ventura did the impossible. Not only did he clear me of significant mandatory prison time for the guns, he got the prosecutor to recommend a greatly reduced sentence on the explosives charges! In the end, I was sent to a cupcake low security federal prison for 18 months, instead of Gladiator School in a US Penitentiary, where almost everyone goes when convicted of explosives violations. In short, Mr. Ventura SAVED MY LIFE and I will be forever grateful to him.

Posted by anonymous | March 7, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Recommended

Mr.Ventura was easy to work with, and knowledgeable. He was reassuring at each stage of the process

Posted by Jay | October 6, 2020 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excellent lawyer, highly recommend.

Working with Jim was a good experience. He was positive and very good at explaining the situation and the possible outcomes. He would tell some relatable stories that helps a person feel better, and also reminds you in a good way to make better decisions and the more severe consequences if what happe...ned, were to happen again. I would highly recommend Jim because of his character and attitude and the wealth of knowledge he has. He was able to get me through my case with ease and understanding, taking a lot of stress off my shoulders, and making me feel better about the situation, and reassuring me that we will get through it.

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James M Ventura's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse James
Anthony Michael Grostyan headshot
Anthony Grostyan

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"James Ventura is a highly skilled and effective criminal defense attorney. I've known him for a number of years and have observed him in and out of the courtroom. He works hard for his clients to get the best results in their case."

Rahul Aggarwal headshot
Rahul Aggarwal

Unknown lawyer | Mar 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services."

Gregory Bachmeier headshot
Gregory Bachmeier

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 09

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have worked with JIm with co-defendants on two separate cases. The first case was a felony kidnapping which was reduced to a disorderly conduct. The second case was a theft case which was dismissed. Jim does excellent work and I would not hesitate to work with him again."

Adam T. Johnson headshot
Adam Johnson

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Margaux Coady Soeffker headshot
Margaux Soeffker

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've seen Jim in action when I clerked in district court and I've worked together with Jim on a legal matter. He is an excellent attorney."

Bruce A Boeder headshot
Bruce Boeder

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have referred numerous clients to Jim for representation in criminal defense matters and they have been uniformly pleased with his representation and the results of the representation."

John Leif Fossum headshot
John Fossum

Criminal defense lawyer | May 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Jim is an excellent trial lawyer and does great work for his clients. He is tenacious and creative."

Douglas Troy Kans headshot
Douglas Kans

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I fully endorse Jim as an excellent criminal defense lawyer who is very knowledgeable and fights diligently for his clients."

View All Endorsements
Gregory Bachmeier headshot
Gregory Bachmeier

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers

2016

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers

2014

2014 Volunteer of the Year, Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board

2014

Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers

2013

Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers

2012

Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers

2011

Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers

2010

Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers

2009

Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers

2008

Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers

2007

Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers

2006

Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers

2005

Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers

2004

Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers

2003

Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers

2002

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2001

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2000

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

1999

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

1991 - Present

Attorney/Owner, James M. Ventura, Attorney at Law

1990 - 1991

Partner, Johnson Wood

1985 - 1990

Associate Attorney, Johnson Wood

1983 - 1985

Associate Attorney, Grathwol, Oberhasuer and Randall

Associations

Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice

Member

Minnesota State Bar Association

Member

Federal Bar Association

Member

Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

Minnesota Associate for Justice

Member

Douglas K. Amdahl American Inn of Court

Member

United States Supreme Court

Attorney and Counselor

Minnesota Supreme Court

Attorney and Counselor

United States District Court for the District of Minnesota

Attorney and Counselor

United States District Court for the District of Arizona

Attorney and Counselor

United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

Attorney and Counselor

Minnesota District Courts

Attorney and Counselor

Education

1983

William Mitchell College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1978

University of Minnesota

Sociology and Criminal Justice

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution