Ten Things to Do After a DWI Arrest

Ten.on their revocation laws. You may challenge the
If you need to save your driver's license you orrevocation in that home state if the statute under
your attorney must usually notify the driverswhich you were convicted does not conform with
license bureau immediately! In the State ofthe home state.
Minnesota, you must seek a review of the licenseFive.
revocation within thirty (30) days of theTEMPORARY DRIVER LICENSES are only valid
revocation.for 7 days after your arrest. If you are pulled
Nine.over for driving after that seven day period, and
In some counties in some states, you may seekyou have not reinstated your license, you would
a prehearing reinstatement of your drivingface new charges for driving after revocation or
privileges. In the State of Minnesota, this iscancellation.
possible in Hennepin and Ramsey county whereFour.
your license can be immediately reinstated pendingDo not confuse this page's license issue with your
a final hearing.criminal court date! Remember, most states,
Eight.Minnesota included, treats a DWI case as two
Calendar your court date immediately. One of thecases in one. There is a civil case resulting in your
worst things that you can do is miss your courtlicense revocation and a criminal case resulting in
date. A missed court date will result in thepotential jail time and fines.
issuance of a warrant for your arrest where youThree.
are almost guaranteed to spend some time in jail.There are three (3) issues at most hearings if
Seven.you completed a chemical test. (Stop, Charge,
If you are told - "you will be contacted later",Test). If you refused, this fact will be used against
something will go wrong. If you are not providedyou to show your guilt. Usually you must explain
a court date after you are stopped, be sure torefusals completely to win.
check back frequently with the court until yourTwo.
court date is set. Notices do not always reachThe government has the burden of proof to
their appropriate destination.prevail on all DWI issues, or refusal matters. If the
Six.government meets the burden of proof on only
Even if you have a license from another state,part of the issues, you win. Understanding the
and even if the officer did not take your license,processes that must be followed by police is
your state may also take action against yourimperative, since any violation of proper
driving privileges. For example, if you have aprocedure may result in a dismissal.
Wisconsin license but you are ticketed in the stateOne.
of Minnesota for a DWi, that infraction will beAll your attorney has to do is knock out one
reported back to your home state after youissue to save your license & you avoid the
have been convicted or after the implied consentharsh civil and criminal penalties! You should
license revocation has become final. Your homecontact an experienced or aggressive attorney
state, Wisconsin in this example, would thenimmediately.
revoke your driving privileges inn that state based