Category: Criminal Defense

DWI Urine Tests Still Very Open to Challenge and Unreliable

Recently, this blog reported on the Minnesota Supreme Court’s opinion issued earlier this week on February 8, 2011 regarding the question of whether DWI urine tests are reliable. Specifically, the court did NOT decide the question of whether DWI urine tests are reliable, but instead chose to sidestep the issue on procedural grounds. The high Court refused to decide whether urine tests require a so-called Frye-Mack Hearing on their reliability.

Man arrested for DWI-related charges after Stillwater nursing home accident

A Rochester man was arrested in suspicion of driving while impaired after a car accident at a Stillwater nursing home. Police claim the man stole his girlfriend’s sport utility vehicle and around 1:00 Sunday morning struck two cars in Stillwater, before running the SUV into a nursing home. The 31-year-old man may be facing serious charges, including felony motor vehicle theft, second degree DWI and criminal vehicular operation (CVO) related to the allegations. The second-degree DWI and the CVO charges the man may be facing are gross misdemeanor charges.

DWI Forces FAA Director to Resign

Proving once again that DWI’s can and do happen to anyone and everyone, from all walks of life, all classes, all races, and all educational levels, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) resigned yesteday over his weekend arrest for Driving over the limit. Compounding his problems is the fact that FAA Administator Babbitt is in charge of an organization which promotes safety in the skies, and by the airlines, including combatting terrorism.

Driving After Cancellation, DAR, DAS, and DAC: an Attorney Can Save Your DL

DAR, DAS, and DAC are commonly charged crimes in Minnesota. DAR is Driving After Revocation, DAS is Driving After Suspension, and DAC is Driving After Cancellation. All 3 of these crimes are commonly referred to as “driving without a [valid] license.” What happens to you in Minnesota if you plead guilty to DAR, DAS, or DAC?

Intoxilyzer Source Code Update

On December 1, 2011, the Minnesota Supreme Court held oral arguments on the Intoxilyzer 5000 Source Code issue regarding the software used in Minnesota DWI breath tests. This appeal is the THIRD time the Supreme Court has considered the Intoxilyzer Source Code in the last 6 years!

Can a Misdemeanor DWI Conviction Prevent Entry into Canada?

A DWI conviction may have many “collateral” or hidden consequences. These Hidden Consequences of a DWI can include losing your job, having your driver’s license revoked, getting higher insurance rates or even being dropped by your car Insurance company, having your vehicle forfeited or taken away by the police, etc. In the last few years, a new Hidden Consequence of getting a DWI has been hitting many people–especially in Minnesota and other Northern or Midwestern states that are close to Canada:

Thanksgiving travel and increased DWI enforcement in Minnesota

The Thanksgiving holiday always is associated with family gatherings. It is one of the most traveled holidays of the year. People all across Minnesota hit the roads to spend time with family and friends. With the increase in traffic, comes an increase in law enforcement on Minnesota roads. Local law enforcement and state troopers statewide can be expected to be out in full force throughout the holiday weekend.

Minneapolis woman accused of DWI and stealing taxicab

Richfield police arrested a 21-year-old Minneapolis woman after finding her asleep in a taxicab in a parking lot at 66th and Nicollet last Wednesday morning. Police claim the woman took the cab for a joyride and then apparently parked the cab and fell asleep in the vehicle. Law enforcement arrested the woman on felony motor vehicle theft and misdemeanor charges of driving while impaired.

Police claim Minnesota man facing felony DWI switched seats in pickup

A Minnesota man is facing felony driving while impaired charges and a felony charge for an alleged assault on a jailer after a recent traffic stop. Law enforcement claims the man they accuse of DWI changed seats with his female passenger after pulling over for a traffic stop.