Every Minnesota drunk driving arrest triggers two separate cases – in criminal court, and at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety case. The criminal court case can bring a jail sentence and hefty fines, and the DPS case threatens the motorist’s driving privileges. Both require the services of an expert DUI / DWI lawyer. The skilled attorneys at 1 800 NO DRUNK and www.NoDrunk.com can provide a top notch defense designed to minimize or even eliminate the consequences of a Minnesota drinking and driving arrest.

Minnesota DWI / DUI laws are among the toughest in the country, and an accused motorist has a limited amount of time to protect his or her driver’s license. An accused drunk driver must request a hearing from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety following an arrest for driving while intoxicated or risk automatically losing the license.

Minnesota’s DWI / DUI laws are among the strongest in the nation. Under Minnesota DWI / DUI laws, refusal to take a chemical test following an arrest for drunk driving is a separate criminal offense. However, Minnesota DWI / DUI law allows an accused drunk driver the right to speak to a DWI / DUI defense attorney before taking a chemical test to determine blood alcohol content (BAC).

Minnesota DWI / DUI convictions are punishable by jail, fines, mandatory DWI alcohol education courses, DWI driver’s license consequences, and more. A first-time drunk driving conviction is punishable by up to 90 days in jail. If the offense is charged as a gross misdemeanor because of aggravating factors, the driver can be sentenced to up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $3,000.

The punishment for a second-offense Minnesota DWI / DUI is even harsher. A second-offense drunk driving conviction within 10 years of a prior offense will be filed as a gross misdemeanor, and the driver faces up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $3,000.

Drivers convicted of a third driving while intoxicated offense in Minnesota face jail time and the seizure and sale of the motorist’s vehicle. A fourth-offense within 10 years will be charged as a felony. Minnesota DWI law for a felony drunk driving conviction will include three years in prison and a fine of not less than $14,000.

Minnesota DWI / DUI laws include various "degrees" which relate to the seriousness of the charge. The punishment will vary, depending upon the degree of the drunk driving conviction, and the presence of any aggravating factors in the case.

A driver two or more DWI / DUI offenses within five years, or three or more prior drinking and driving related offenses during the motorist’s lifetime will lose his or her license for one year or longer. The driver may be eligible for a limited license to drive to and from work.

The stakes are extraordinarily high in a Minnesota drinking and driving case, so it’s critical to have a skilled attorney at the driver’s side. The experienced attorneys at 1.800.NOT.DRUNK and www.NotDrunk.com can provide a free consultation and outline a defense strategy designed to protect the driver’s rights and minimize or even eliminate the consequences of a Minnesota DWI / DUI arrest.

DISCLAIMER: No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.