| Minnesota DWI Law | | | | include three years in prison and fines of no less |
| In Minnesota, driving under the influence is a | | | | than $14,000. |
| criminal offense with dire consequences for | | | | The penalties imposed if you are convicted of |
| offenders. Penalties can include fines, jail time, and | | | | DWI may be based on the degree of the charges |
| other punishments designed to punish offenders | | | | you face and any aggravating factors. |
| and try to prevent further offenses. DUI law is a | | | | Aggravating factors may include having a prior |
| very specialized area for attorneys. Working with | | | | offense within a ten year period, having a blood |
| a lawyer who does not specialize in DUI law may | | | | alcohol concentration of twice the legal limit, and |
| mean that you do not have the best chance for | | | | having a child in the vehicle while committing a |
| a good outcome from your case. Hiring an | | | | DWI offense. A first degree DWI is when three |
| experienced and skilled Minnesota DUI lawyer can | | | | or more aggravating factors exist in a DWI case. |
| give you an advantage because these trained | | | | This type of offense is classified as a felony and |
| attorneys have access to expert witnesses and | | | | may result in up to five years in jail and $10,000 |
| are experienced in reviewing DUI case information | | | | in fines. Second degree DWI offenses are |
| and chemical testing results. If you want to win | | | | considered to be gross misdemeanors and may |
| your DUI case or minimize the penalties imposed | | | | result in up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine. |
| if you are convicted, it is in your best interest to | | | | The court may also confiscate the driver's license |
| consult with a Minnesota DUI attorney. | | | | plates or seek to have the vehicle forfeited. A |
| Minnesota DWI Arrests | | | | third degree DUI offense is charged if only one |
| If you are arrested for driving under the influence | | | | aggravating factor was involved or if the driver |
| in the state of Minnesota, you will have one right | | | | of the vehicle refused chemical testing. This is |
| that is different from the rights of offenders in | | | | punishable by up to one year in jail and a $3,000 |
| other states. In Minnesota, you will be allowed to | | | | fine. Fourth degree DWI charges are filed if no |
| contact a Minnesota DUI lawyer before you take | | | | aggravating factors exist. This is classified as a |
| a chemical test to find out the level of alcohol | | | | misdemeanor offense and can result in up to 90 |
| concentration present in your blood. Because | | | | days in jail and a $1,000 fine. If you want to have |
| many people do not know of a specialized DUI | | | | the best chance of minimizing the impact of these |
| attorney, law enforcement officers must give | | | | penalties, consult with a Minnesota DUI attorney. |
| you a telephone directory so you can find one | | | | Administrative Driver's License Penalties |
| and contact one after your arrest. You should | | | | Refusal to submit to chemical testing will result in |
| contact one of these attorneys immediately after | | | | a license revocation period of at least one year. If |
| your arrest so your rights remain intact and you | | | | you do submit to chemical testing and exceed the |
| have the best chance of defending yourself | | | | 0.08% legal limit of blood alcohol concentration, |
| against a drunken driving charge. | | | | you will lose your license for 90 days. If you were |
| In Minnesota, your arrest for driving under the | | | | under the age of 21 at the time of the offense, |
| influence will result in the commencement of two | | | | the suspension period is 6 months. A suspension |
| different cases. One is the criminal case where | | | | period of 180 days can also be imposed if you |
| criminal charges are filed against you for driving | | | | had your license revoked within a ten-year time |
| under the influence. If convicted, you face criminal | | | | period for an alcohol-related offense. BAC levels |
| penalties including fines and possible jail time. The | | | | that are twice the legal limit will result in double |
| second case is an administrative case where the | | | | the suspension periods. There are several steps |
| state will seek to suspend your license for a | | | | you must complete before your license is |
| period of time determined by the number of DUI | | | | reinstated after this type of offense. You must |
| offenses on your record and the laws concerning | | | | pass a written DWI driver's license test |
| driving under the influence. Both types of cases | | | | administered by the state and pay a |
| have consequences that can impact your life | | | | reinstatement fee of $680.00. You must also |
| forever. If you have refused to take a chemical | | | | reapply for a Minnesota driver's license and pay a |
| test, you will also face additional criminal charges | | | | fee of $18.50 for reapplying. You must also follow |
| since refusal is a separate criminal offense in | | | | any other requirements set forth by Driver and |
| Minnesota. Consulting with a Minnesota DUI lawyer | | | | Vehicle Services. These requirements may include |
| is extremely important if you want to stay out of | | | | alcohol education or alcohol treatment. |
| jail and keep your driver's license. Working with a | | | | If you have a second or subsequent DWI offense |
| skilled Minnesota DUI attorney can help you to | | | | within a five-year period, the license suspension |
| avoid a conviction or minimize the effects of the | | | | period is at least one year. Depending on the |
| penalties imposed in your case. | | | | number of convictions against you, your license |
| Criminal Penalties for Minnesota DUI | | | | may be permanently revoked. If you want to |
| If you are convicted of driving under the influence | | | | drive again, you will have to prove to the |
| in the state of Minnesota, there are a number of | | | | Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety that you |
| penalties that can be imposed. A first DWI | | | | have been rehabilitated. Depending on the |
| offense can result in up to 90 days of jail time, | | | | circumstances of your conviction, you may be |
| fines, mandatory participation in alcohol education | | | | eligible for a restricted license during the |
| programs, and driver's license suspension or | | | | suspension period. This restricted license would |
| revocation. Aggravating factors may cause the | | | | allow you to drive to and from work and any |
| court to classify a first offense as a gross | | | | other necessary locations. Getting this restricted |
| misdemeanor. In this case, the penalties can be up | | | | license requires you to pay a reinstatement fee, |
| to one year of jail time and a fine of $3,000. A | | | | pay a reapplication fee, have an interview with a |
| second DWI offense in Minnesota is classified as a | | | | Driver Evaluator, and take and pass a DWI |
| gross misdemeanor and carries penalties of up to | | | | driver's test. The Evaluator will decide if you are |
| one year in jail and a fine of $3,000. A third DWI | | | | eligible for a restricted license and will also decide |
| offense results in jail time and fines as well as | | | | what the limitations on this license will be. If you |
| vehicle impoundment and alcohol abuse evaluation. | | | | want to minimize the administrative penalties |
| A fourth DWI offense in Minnesota is classified as | | | | imposed on you for a DWI conviction, working |
| a felony if it occurs within 10 years of prior DWI | | | | with a qualified Minnesota DUI lawyer will give you |
| convictions. The penalties for this level of offense | | | | the best possible chance. |