| An arrest for driving under the influence (DUI) in | | | | they examine the charges and the evidence |
| Minnesota can be a very confusing process. | | | | related to your driving under the influence arrest. |
| Sometimes it's difficult to even decipher what | | | | Finally, your attorneys mount an aggressive drunk |
| you've been charged with and how many charges | | | | driving defense that limits your exposure to |
| you actually face. | | | | penalties and may sometimes even get the |
| Let's try to clarify Minnesota DUI charges. | | | | charges and consequences completely dismissed. |
| In Minnesota, driving under the influence | | | | In Minnesota, a first time conviction for a DUI |
| automatically results in two cases. The first is a | | | | could result in up to 90 days in jail, up to $1000.00 |
| criminal case resulting from your arrest for the | | | | in fines and mandatory participation in an alcohol |
| DUI. The second case is an administrative case | | | | education or chemical dependency treatment |
| coordinated by the Department of Licensing which | | | | program. Typically, these charges are |
| results in your loss of driving privileges for a | | | | misdemeanors. |
| specific period of time if the Department | | | | However, if certain aggravating factors apply, it is |
| determines you were DWI when you were | | | | possible to be prosecuted for a gross |
| arrested. | | | | misdemeanor crime even if you have never had |
| Both cases can be complicated and time | | | | an alcohol-related driving offense in the past. |
| consuming. There are also strict deadlines to file | | | | Gross misdemeanors carry up to a year in jail and |
| certain papers or you automatically lose the right | | | | a $3000.00 fine. |
| to contest certain things. This is why it's so vital | | | | Repeat DUI charges may result in felonies |
| to seek the assistance of Minnesota DWI | | | | carrying three (3) years of imprisonment and a |
| attorneys as soon as possible. | | | | $14,000.00 fine. If there is an accident resulting in |
| Many factors affect what you may be legally | | | | death or significant injury to another person, |
| prosecuted for and what may be taken away | | | | felony charges will be brought which can result in |
| from you. For instance, if you refused to comply | | | | even more years of prison. |
| with the chemical test request, you may face | | | | In any case, there are other civil consequences |
| additional criminal charges. Or if you have a | | | | pertaining to your driving privileges and/or vehicle |
| previous DUI offense, you may face gross | | | | insurance and ownership as well. |
| misdemeanor or even felony DUI charges. | | | | As part of your drunk driving defense, your |
| Plus, your vehicle may be subject to permanent | | | | Minnesota DWI attorneys will attempt to get the |
| forfeiture, and your driver's license may be | | | | charges dismissed, reduced, or acquitted. It may |
| revoked for months --- or even years. Potential | | | | be possible to negotiate a brief sentence, a |
| consequences may seem overwhelming. That is | | | | reduction of fines, and a license which allows you |
| why you must face them directly with a strong | | | | to drive to and from work. An experienced |
| drunk driving defense. | | | | attorney will handle your DUI charge in a way |
| The role of your Minnesota DWI attorneys are | | | | that makes it possible for you to carry on with |
| multifold. They act as an advocate on your behalf | | | | your life as your case is pending --- and put it |
| with the prosecutor and the judge. In addition, | | | | back together when the matter is finally resolved. |