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What Is a 3rd Degree DWI in Minnesota?

A 3rd Degree DWI in Minnesota is a serious offense with penalties that include a driver’s license revocation, whiskey plates, steep fines, and jail time if convicted.

A glass of alcohol drink with a finger with car keys on the front.

Minnesota 3rd Degree DWI Convictions

In Minnesota, a driver convicted of a 3rd Degree DWI offense faces serious consequences. If convicted, it is a Gross Misdemeanor criminal charge that is one step above a Misdemeanor and one step below a Felony.

Aggravating factors that constitute a 3rd Degree DWI criminal charge include:

  • A prior DWI or loss of license due to alcohol-related charges within the past 10 years
  • A blood, urine, or breath test with a result of .16 or above
  • Refusal to provide a blood, urine, or breath test after requested by a police officer
  • An impaired driver has a passenger who is 16 years of age or younger in the car

If none of the above conditions apply, the offender will likely be charged with a 4th Degree DWI, a lesser offense that carries lighter penalties. If a driver is convicted of a Minnesota 3rd Degree DWI, he/she may face jail time, even if the above conditions do not apply. If the driver does not have a prior DWI or alcohol-related loss of license within the past 10 years, the mandatory minimum jail sentence of 30 days does not apply, however, the judge may still impose this sentence if the offender pleads guilty. If sentenced to 30 days in jail, the offender must serve at least 48 consecutive hours in jail. The remaining time may be served by electronic home monitoring or a work release if the offender is eligible. 

Penalties for a 3rd Degree DWI

Penalties for a 3rd Degree DWI include a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 days in jail and a loss of driver’s license and license plates for one year. If it’s a second DWI offense within the last 10 years, penalties may include up to one year in jail and loss of driver’s license for at least two years. A third DWI conviction may result in one year or more in jail, a $3,000 fine, and vehicle forfeiture.

If convicted of a 3rd Degree DWI in Minnesota, a person may also face additional consequences that include: mandatory whiskey plates; a criminal record showing a gross misdemeanor; mandatory community service; loss of job and/or income; higher insurance costs.

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Attorney Max Keller
Max Keller

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

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Commercial motor vehicle drivers arrested or charged with driving while impaired (DWI) may need to know how a DWI affects CDL holders in Minnesota. You will lose your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for at least a year if you are convicted of DWI for the first time, and forever after a second conviction. The consequences go beyond the immediate legal implications of a DWI conviction. A CDL suspension or revocation will lead to job loss, difficulty finding employment, and serious financial challenges.
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Knowing how a DWI affects rideshare drivers in Minnesota allows you to take the right steps to protect your license and livelihood. A DWI conviction will lead to suspension or cancellation of your driver’s license. Once you lose your license, you will be ineligible for a work permit required to work for rideshare companies as a driver. You may also face jail time, fines, or ignition interlock device (IID) installation, depending on the seriousness and number of related offenses on your record.
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