Jan: 27, 2014

Burnsville woman takes felony DWI and drug charges to trial

A Burnsville woman reportedly is taking her Minnesota felony DWI case before a jury in April. Anyone facing DWI charges, whether the accused is facing a first-time misdemeanor offense or the person is charged with a higher level of DWI, has the right to take the state’s case before a jury. The right to a jury trial is but one of many vital constitutional rights that defendants have to protect all of our rights under our system of justice.

Jan: 27, 2014

Hastings man pleads guilty to DWI involving bath salts

In the last post, this blog discussed a recent discussion among Minnesota officials who are urging more clarity in Minnesota’s controlled substance crime laws and DWI laws in relation to so-called “bath salts.” The synthetic substances were added to Minnesota statutes last year and on July 1, prosecutors were first able to charge Minnesotans with DWI related to bath salts. Just three days after the new DWI law went into effect, a Hastings man was arrested on suspicion of DWI in relation to bath salts.

Jan: 27, 2014

Richfield man faces felony DWI charges after alleged Minnetonka accident

A Richfield man is facing two counts of felony DWI after an alleged February 9 hit-and-run car accident at the intersection of Highway 7 and County Road 101. Minnetonka Police responded to a report of the car accident and spoke to witnesses at the scene. The people gave law enforcement a description of a vehicle that the witnesses claim rear-ended a second vehicle and the fled from the scene.

Jan: 27, 2014

Minnesota DWI caused by One Too Many Clean Pint?

A Minnesota DWI could result from too many clean glasses: Today’s article on the Star Tribune about Clean Beer Glasses explains how beer experts have started a new Twitter campaign to post pictures of empty pint glasses of beer with only suds remaining. If you had one too many pints at your local watering hole and got tagged with a Minnesota DUI, then you need serious help now!

Jan: 27, 2014

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.

Jan: 27, 2014

Court: Defendant was not entitled to challenge DWI urine test reliability

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a defendant who has been charged with driving while impaired based upon a “first-void” urine test is not entitled to a hearing to challenge the reliability of that urine test because blood alcohol concentration is not relevant in a DWI case involving a urine test.

Jan: 27, 2014

Police to crackdown on DWI in 13 Minnesota counties in 2012

The state has selected 13 counties for increased enforcement of driving while intoxicated. Increased enforcement will likely lead to an increase in drunk driving charges across the 13 counties in Minnesota. One new county was added to the list. Sherburne will be added after Itasca County was removed last year.

Jan: 27, 2014

Prosecutors formally charge Mankato anchor with DWI

Alcohol testing under Minnesota’s implied consent law has seen a number of challenges in recent years. This blog has reported the issues challenging the Intoxilyzer machines that are currently under review in the Minnesota Supreme Court. Last year, this blog discussed the issue of whether police can request a urine sample without a warrant under the implied consent laws and use the test results in the criminal case involving driving while impaired charges.

Jan: 27, 2014

DPS: 13 counties targeted for increased Minnesota DWI patrols

On any given day in Minnesota, law enforcement agencies seek to make traffic stops, hoping to enforce Minnesota’s driving while impaired laws. Most drivers here in Minnesota are accustomed to increased DWI enforcement details surrounding holiday periods.

Jan: 27, 2014

Man charged with DWI test-refusal in Inver Grove Heights

An employee of an Inver Grove Heights gentleman’s club reportedly offered to call a cab for a patron. Apparently, according to the employee, the patron declined the cab ride home and later left the establishment. The 51-year-old Florida resident is now facing serious Minnesota DWI charges.

Category: DWI