Bruce Michael Rivers

PRO

Bruce Michael Rivers

4.3
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 27 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Minneapolis, MN
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Sex Crime, Violent Crime

701 Fourth Av S #300, Minneapolis, MN

Virtual Consultation Available

About Bruce

Biography

Board-Certified Criminal Defense Lawyer With A Proven Track Record. Call Now For A Free Consultation.

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 60%

DWI, white Collar crime, drug offenses

60%
Sex Crime 20%

Criminal sexual conduct

20%
Violent Crime 20%

Homicide, murder

20%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Licenses

Licensed in Minnesota for 27 years

State: Minnesota

Acquired: 1998

Authorized to Practice

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Bruce Michael Rivers

701 Fourth Av S #300, Minneapolis, MN, 55415

riverslawyers.com

Bruce Michael Rivers's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.3 /5.0

38 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Appeals

Posted by Mike | March 23, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Appeals

Awesome Service

Bruce has represented me in a two Federal Probation Violation cases, a major State Case, and continues to help me with an appeal. If you decide (or the evidence is so stacked you have no choice) to take a plea, he is who you want. Bruce has the connections and where-with-all to negotiate the best d...eal possible. He managed to negotiate 2 amazing deals, helped me avoid 2 additional Federal Indictments, and is still helping me with my legal matters after I served my time. His client service is amazing. If you are going to have to do a little time, he is who you want. Every time I called from jail or prison he answered the phone, no matter what time of the day. What is more, while incarcerated, my identity was stolen, and Bruce helped me restore my identity and get my credit sorted out for no additional fees; he also continues to help me with an appeal. If not for Bruce, I wouldn't be writing this review for another 10 to 15 years.

Posted by Chad | May 20, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Appeals

STOP!!!DO NOT HIRE THIS ATTORNEY!!!!

STOP!!!DO NOT HIRE THIS ATTORNEY!!!! January 2019 Bruce Rivers was first hired to get my seized truck back.After telling him circumstances his EXACT words were, "For $3500 I 100% guarantee I'll get you your truck back." Well what he did was kept putting off the court date. Finally 6 months later my e...x and I go to my hearing. No attorney was present. Judge asks who I am and says oh yes the procecuter and Mr. Rivers informed him criminal charges would be filed soon making this hearing irrelevant.(still waiting for 3500 refund) So he says they are gonna charge me but doesn't know with what but he want $15000 now. He says he will work with $5000 more making it $8500 total and we figure out rest later. In Dec.2019 he says they put warrant out and to turn myself in.(he gave them 11 months to turn the guy originally charged against me, instead if fighting for my truck right away) Once in custody Bruce did not show up for ANY of my hearing. Though he was paid $3500 in Jan-2019 and $5000 in June-2019 at my 2nd hearing he missed the judge told me Bruce had not even registered as my legal attorney. And this was January or February 2020. He'd been hired a year ago. Very rarely could I even reach him by phone. I was in Polk county jail 72 days and he did not go over my discovery with me AT ALL. Didn't even get me copy of it for 60 days. I repeatedly told the lady that answers his phone I wanted a bail reduction hearing or a 1 day furlough to take care of my CDL. He did neither. He said prosecutor would pull plea deal if he asked for a furlough or bail reduction hearing. I wanted to go to trial but Bruce said we would lose and all he talked about was how good prosecutor is and how big our fish to fry is. So he says plead to 3rd degree poss. He said S.A. says I have 3 points but he doesn't think I do. I know I don't, I have 2. So THE ONLY HEARING HE SHOWED UP FOR IS MY GUILTY PLEA. There he says ya you do have 3 points. He shows me a handwritten point sheet from S.A. not a PSI calculations sheet. He gave me a FULL FELONY POINT for a past misdemeanor. And when I said no I want a PSI Bruce said no that will push sentencing out 4 months and SA would pull deal(how, guilty plea in already and it would've been just sentencing hearing). I could go on &on about what Bruce did not do for me but I will just leave it at I want my money back for breach of contract, I am reporting all this and more(he called my ex and her attorney and was screaming and swearing at them) to the lawyers professional board , the bar, anyone I can report him to. he didn't show up for any hearings but one... I've applied for the MN Office of the Appellate Public Defender to take my case to fix my points since my hired attorney was incapable of doing his job. One more thing to note. SA wanted fine of $500. I said to Bruce argue that they are getting $13000 truck that's enough. He stated he wasn't gonna worry bout $500.(course not he sat back collected $8500 to show up for a plea bargain) Luckily we didn't mute mic and judge heard that and way lowered the fine. Chad

Bruce Rivers

Replied last May 20, 2020

First, Chad had been caught with a large amount of methamphetamine. I never ever guaranteed that he would get his truck back but I filed the necessary forfeiture petition and started the process. The government had built a decent sized conspiracy case against him, long before his truck was seized, which he never seemed to grasp the seriousness of it. He was charged with first degree sales and plead to third degree. Voluntarily. No one forced him. He was looking at a hard 86 months and the State threatened to refer the prosecution to the feds where, with his background and quantity of the meth in the conspiracy, he would be facing a hard 120 month mandatory minimum. He received a 41 month sentence that he agreed to. The deal struck qualifies him for boot camp so he should be out in less than a year. He lied to me about his involvement, his drug use and what was found in the truck and who it belonged to. His phone was shut off constantly and could not be reached. Although I met with him in Jail, he also was able to reach me at any hour while in jail. I invite him to report whatever he wants to whomever. No ethical violations occurred. I never called his ex and yelled. I did call her when the bankruptcy trustee for his ex wanted $1,000 returned as she did not disclose the distribution to me but he was not her lawyer and I never yell. He did not pay the full amount of his fee and I never asked for the remainder. I wish him the best.

See All Client Reviews

Bruce Michael Rivers's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Bruce
Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | May 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Bruce. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Kenneth Lee LaBore headshot
Kenneth LaBore

Unknown lawyer | Dec 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Rivers is a very knowledgeable and highly regarded defense attorney"

Frederick Howard Ladner headshot
Frederick Ladner

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Several years ago, I referred a client to Bruce who had become involved in an unfortunate event involving alcohol. Bruce did an admirable job of representing the individual through the criminal court proceedings. I highly recommend Mr. Rivers' services."

Coley John Grostyan headshot
Coley Grostyan

Criminal defense lawyer | May 09

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse Mr. Rivers as I know him to be a passionate advocate for his clients and a tenacious opponent in the courtroom. I have been privileged to work with Mr. Rivers on numerous criminal trials. Mr. Rivers' character, experience, and knowledge of the law is very effective in achieving favorable results for his clients."

View All Endorsements
F Clayton Tyler headshot
F Tyler

Criminal defense lawyer

Kristine M. Boylan headshot
Kristine Boylan

Litigation lawyer

Coley John Grostyan headshot
Coley Grostyan

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

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, Super Lawyers

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2014

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2013

Board Member, Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

2013

Board Member, Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota

2013

Board Certified, National Board of Trial Advocacy

2013

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2013

top trial lawyer, Top 100 Trial Lawyers

2013

Board Certified Specialist, Minnesota State Bar Association

2012

Criminal Law Specialist, Minnesota State Bar Association

2012

Criminal Trial Advocacy, National Board of Trial Advocacy

2012

AVVO Rated Attorney, AVVO

2011

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2010

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2009

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

Work Experience

1998 - Present

Owner, Rivers Law Firm, P.A.

Associations

2012 - Present

National Trial Lawyers Association Top 100

Member

2012 - Present

Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota

Member

2012 - Present

Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Board of Directors

2011 - Present

National Board of Trial Advocacy

Criminal Trial Specialist

1998 - Present

National Association of Criiminal Defense Lawyers

Sustaining Member

Sample of Legal Cases

State v. Anderson

Acquital

State v. Hanson

Acquittal

State v. Johnson

Acquittal

State v. Back

Acquittal

See More Legal Cases

Education

1998

William Mitchell College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1991

Augsburg College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2012

KSTP Ch. 5 Commentary

Amy Senser Trial

Languages

English

Activity

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Avvo Rating Levels
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