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.

He has won jury trial cases in misdemeanor and felony cases and in DWI’s and non-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. He is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

Minnesota’s new marijuana law legalizes marijuana for recreational purposes for adults 21 years or older. The new law makes it unlawful for employers to take action against their employees for off-duty cannabis use. It also prohibits them from refusing to hire an applicant who tests positive for cannabis or requiring applicants to take pre-employment cannabis testing.
Is weed legal in Minnesota? Currently, weed is legal for medical and recreational use in the state. A new Minnesota law legalized weed for recreational use on August 1, 2023. Persons aged 21-years or older may possess or carry a maximum of two ounces of marijuana flower in public.
People arrested or accused of possessing cocaine might ask, “how much coke is a felony?” Possessing controlled substances like cocaine is a felony in Minneapolis, MN. If found with 0 to 3 grams of coke, the crime will be treated as a fifth-degree felony, attracting penalties like $10,000 fines and up to 5 years in jail.