Getting Charged with DWI When You’re Not Driving

While people might think that they must be driving in order to get charged with a DWI, the law allows people to be charged with the offense even when they are not actually driving their vehicles. It is possible for a person to get charged with a DWI when his or her car is stopped and not running in certain cases. A Minneapolis DWI lawyer sometimes has cases in which his or her client was not driving at the time of the offense but had actual physical control of the car.

Actual Physical Control in Minnesota

According to the law in Minnesota, people may be charged with DWIs if they are operating, driving, or have physical control of the vehicle while they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs that affect their ability to drive and their nervous systems. Prior to 2010, the lower courts in Minnesota had treated physical control under the statute as meaning situations when there was evidence that the car had recently been driven. In 2010, the Minnesota Supreme Court weighed in, changing how courts define physical control of a vehicle.

State v. Fleck and physical control

State v. Fleck dealt with a case in which a man who was sleeping in his driver’s seat with the car door ajar prompted a concerned neighbor to call 911 and to ask that officers check on the man to make certain that he was okay. The lights of the car were not on and the engine was not warm. While the police didn’t think the car had been on, the man’s car keys were inside of the vehicle’s console. After he was convicted of DWI, the man appealed. The Minnesota Court of Appeals overturned the man’s conviction.

The Minnesota Supreme Court reinstated the conviction. It ruled that if there is evidence that a person can start his or her vehicle and drive it, it is enough for that person to be convicted of DWI. The key factors that juries consider when determining whether or not a person had control of the vehicle include where a person’s keys are located and where the person is sitting. A Minneapolis DWI lawyer may analyze whether his or her client had actual physical control of a vehicle at the time of the DWI charge.

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

What Happens If You Get a DWI While Riding a Scooter or E-Bike in Minneapolis?

Minnesota DWI laws apply to all types of motorized vehicles using the road. So, you may get arrested and charged with DWI while riding a scooter or E-bike if your blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 or more. The penalties for a DWI conviction may range from driver license suspension or revocation and fines to imprisonment. A conviction may also result in collateral consequences, including job loss and higher auto insurance premiums. A DWI lawyer can minimize the legal consequences or avoid them altogether. So, be sure to retain a lawyer immediately after you get arrested or charged for riding a scooter or e-bike while impaired.

Can a Criminal Record Impact New Charges in Minnesota?

People with prior convictions and facing new charges may wonder, “Can a criminal record impact new charges in Minnesota?” Having a criminal record can influence how the prosecution and court will handle your current charges. The court may deny your bail request or impose strict conditions. It may also impose harsh penalties. The prosecution, on the other hand, may be reluctant to give you a favorable plea deal if you have a prior conviction for a similar or related offense.