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This kind of situation arises often enough in drug arrests: a person in a vehicle containing drugs is arrested for possession, though it is initially unclear to whom the drugs really belong. In a recent and tragic case in St. Paul, a 20-year-old man was arrested for drug possession after witnessing police officers fatally shoot his uncle.
Earlier this month, Minnesota DWI Forfeiture Attorney Max Keller successfully asserted an innocent owner defense in a Dakota County DWI Forfeiture case. As a result, his client’s vehicle was returned to her, the innocent owner.
A Ramsey, Minnesota woman was arrested at her child’s elementary school October 11 on suspicion of driving while impaired. The school principle claims that the woman showed up at the school around 3:45 in the afternoon, smelling of alcohol. The principle called Ramsey Police to investigate.
The Minnesota Gophers have announced that an assistant coach with the basketball team has been suspended while the University of Minnesota sorts out disciplinary measures. Assistant men’s basketball coach Saul Smith was arrested Saturday in Minneapolis on suspicion of driving while impaired. Smith is the son of head coach Tubby Smith.
Officials at the University of Minnesota revealed last week that senior forward Trevor Mbakwe with the Gopher basketball team was arrested in July by Minnetonka Police on charges of driving while impaired. Ultimately, he was convicted of the misdemeanor drunk driving charge and sentenced to 30 days in the workhouse, but the judge stayed 28 days of that sentence. The basketball player was given credit for two days in jail, and he was placed on probation, and given several terms to meet while on probation.
Minnesota drivers may be aware that the legal limit alcohol level to drive a motor vehicle in the state is generally set at 0.08 percent BAC. Minnesota law also allows prosecutors to pursue charges for driving while impaired based upon the testimony of officers concerning driving conduct, observations in field sobriety tests and other testimony regarding so-called “indicia of impairment.”
Most people are aware of Minnesota’s law prohibiting driving while impaired. This blog has discussed many news reports concerning DWI charges. Recently, an entry discussed a University of Minnesota survey of students regarding bicycling. While a non-motorized bike is not considered a motorized vehicle, some people may not understand how broadly Minnesota prosecutors seek to apply Minnesota’s harsh DWI laws.
The school year has obviously begun. Around college campuses, law enforcement agencies around the country typically keep a close eye near a campus-looking for evidence of alcohol-related offenses. This year, TCF stadium began selling alcohol during Gopher football games. When the stadium first opened, police received grants to step up alcohol enforcement laws near the stadium.
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