22-Year-Old Arrested for Fifth Alleged DWI Violation in Lakeville

Lakeville police arrested Burnsville, Minnesota man on suspicion of drunk driving. The same man reportedly was arrested on felony DWI charges in late June after allegedly speeding in Eagan. The man reported was out on bond in the prior DWI case when officers claim that he 22-year-old sped out of the Valley Lake Park parking lot November 3.

Officers claim that the young man committed a second alleged traffic offense before being pulled over. Lakeville Police claim the driver slammed on his brakes in the traffic stop and jumped from the vehicle. From there, police claim that the driver fled on foot.

Generally, fleeing on foot is a misdemeanor offense in Minnesota. Allegations of fleeing police in a motor vehicle can bring felony-level charges. There does not appear to be any allegations that the driver tried to elude police, as a news report in Lakeville patch indicates that the man is facing a misdemeanor fleeing charge.

However, the 22-year-old is facing several other legal battles. Officers claim that when they found the man on top of a garage at a nearby townhouse complex near the site of the traffic stop, he displayed signs of impairment. Authorities accuse the man of DWI. Because Dakota County officials say that this is the fifth DWI arrest for the 22-yeaar-old, he is now facing another set of felony-level DWI charges.

The man also reported is out on bond in the previous DWI case from June, complicating matters for him. The man has been released on bond in the current case with an omnibus hearing scheduled for February 4 in Hastings, Minnesota.

Source: Lakeville Patch, “Lakeville Police Arrest Man on Fifth DUI-Related Charge,” Betsy Sundquist, Nov. 14, 2012

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

You may need to hire a criminal defense lawyer even if you have not been charged. A criminal defense lawyer protects your rights when law enforcement officers are investigating you for a crime. Without a lawyer, you might say something that could be incriminating or misconstrued. Your lawyer can engage with the police or the prosecutors and provide evidence that prevents them from filing formal charges. Your lawyer can also go through your case and prepare a defense strategy if there is a possibility of you getting charged.
People arrested or charged with a crime may wonder, “How long do I have to get a criminal lawyer?” There is no strict deadline to hire a criminal lawyer in Minnesota. However, it’s advisable to hire one immediately if you get arrested, charged, or are under investigation for a crime. Getting legal representation on time protects you from making mistakes that can compromise your case. It also allows your lawyer to build a solid defense strategy that can increase your likelihood of getting a positive outcome from your case.
Continuance is what a court grants to delay proceedings. The parties in a criminal case (the prosecution and defense teams) may agree to a continuance to get more time to prepare for the proceedings. There are many reasons that push your defense lawyer in Minnesota to seek a continuance. A good example is when the other party presents surprise witnesses or evidence, requiring more time to work on a new defense. You can also request a continuance if you want to replace your lawyer, especially if you feel you are not getting sufficient representation.