Understanding Minneapolis Charges in Fatal Drunk Driving Crashes

The Minnesota DWI Statistics

DWI are extremely serious criminal charges in Minnesota. The state does not provide a statutory provision on whether reckless plea bargains can be accepted, but a DWI attorney can create the bargain for an offender. In 2015, over 25, 000 drivers were reportedly arrested for drunk driving. Half the number of those arrested was termed as first-time offenders, meaning they had no DWI occurrences within the past ten years. According to Minnesota laws, a DWI/DUI is the act of being in physical control of a vehicle while:

•    Intoxicated with alcohol or drugs

•    Bearing a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of equal to or more than 0.8 percent

•    Having any levels of drug substances in the blood system except marijuana

When lawfully arrested, the law makes it a crime for DWI criminals to refuse taking a breath alcohol test.

Criminal Penalties

Penalties administered in Minneapolis are designed for swift consequences. For a first time offence, the offender may have their licenses revoked for up to 90 days. However, if chemical test refusal is involved, the period of license revocation may be extended to one year. In Minnesota, a first DWI is a misdemeanor that could get the offender jailed or fined up to 1,000 dollars. For gross misdemeanor, the penalty falls under one year jail term and a fine of up to 3,000 dollars. To regain the driving privileges, a driver’s license examination fee, plate impoundment fee, reinstatement fee and surcharge must be paid for.

The New DUI Laws

Since 2010, convicts of a DUI charge are expected to give time to the installation of an interlock ignition device to get restricted driving privileges. Offenders who fail to abide by law must be prohibited from all driving rights. Depending on the DWI case, no-driving policies range from one to six years.

Getting Legal Help

The facts and laws of every DWI case in Minnesota are different and complex. A DWI attorney understands the rules, laws, and consequences of each case in every jurisdiction detail. An attorney has enough familiarity with the court system, the skill to navigate complex administration procedures, and the understanding of plea bargain details.

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

Stay calm and compose after getting accused of a crime but not charged in Minneapolis, MN. Do not discuss the facts of your case with anyone, including your relatives and family members. Hire a criminal defense attorney with a demonstrated record of winning cases like yours. Your attorney will discuss your rights, guide you on how to cooperate with law enforcement within the legal boundaries, and build a solid defense strategy to fight the charges you could face in the future.
Expungement and sealing of records in Minnesota affect how your criminal history appears to government agencies and the public. The main difference between the two legal actions is that expungement permanently removes past arrests, criminal charges, or convictions from private and public databases, while sealing hides the criminal record from the public. Courts, government entities, and law enforcement agencies can access sealed criminal records.
Minnesota recently passed a public safety bill that brings sweeping changes to the state’s juvenile justice system. While minors sometimes run afoul of the law, the juvenile justice system seeks to account for the differences between children and adults. Therefore, while the penalties for adults convicted of crimes focus on punishment, those for juveniles are aimed at diversion and restorative practices.