While men still dominate, the number of females charged with DUI is increasing

In 2011, a Minnesota woman rushed to her vehicle to escape her drunk and abusive husband. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, she said that she felt she had no other choice than to flee. After driving less than a mile, she was arrested on charges of driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of 0.16, which is twice the legal limit. The woman lost her license as a result of the conviction, which she challenged on the grounds that she was fleeing for her life. The state supreme court disagreed in a divided decision.

The young woman’s situation reflects a growing trend across the country, as problematic relationships and other factors play a part in women deciding to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that across the state of Minnesota, more than 28,000 people are arrested every year on charges of drunk driving. Statistics show that women are increasingly contributing to that number.

The driving forces

The FBI recently released a report showing that nationwide, between 2003 and 2012, there was a 21 percent increase in the number of women charged with driving under the influence. In Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety reported that women accounted for roughly 25 percent of all DWI offenses in 2012, which was a 5 percent increase from 2002 statistics.

Authors of the FBI report noted that there are several factors that have caused the increase:

  • It is more socially acceptable for women to drink in public than it used to be.
  • More women are in the workforce, meaning more women are driving during peak DUI arrest times.
  • There are fewer first-time offender diversion programs as states implement stricter penalties.

Lastly, one researcher found that a troublesome event preceded many instances of female DUI arrests. Relationship issues and work-related stress, for example, were found to play a key role in women drinking and driving.

Consequences of DUI

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reports that the majority of people charged with driving while impaired are first-time offenders, accounting for 60 percent of the state’s convictions. In 2011, legislators passed a law stating that first-time offenders who had more than two times the legal limit of alcohol in their system must have an ignition interlock installed on their vehicles.

Anyone facing a first-time DUI conviction in the state could face as much as a one-year license suspension, $1,000 fine and even up to 90 days in jail. A single conviction could cost as much as $20,000 when factoring in court costs, insurance premiums and other fees. Building a strong DUI defense immediately can lead to reduced or even dismissed charges. Anyone facing such charges should contact a defense attorney as soon as possible.

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

The Surprising Cost of a Guilty Criminal Plea in Minnesota

Defendants in Minnesota may plead guilty or accept deals without understanding the hidden cost of a guilty criminal plea. A guilty criminal plea, regardless of how appealing it appears, can leave you dealing with substantial lifelong consequences. You may skip lengthy trial proceedings and likely get a lenient sentence, but end up with a criminal record. The record can lead to various financial and collateral consequences, including difficulty in securing employment, loss of housing rights, license revocation, and immigration issues.

What You Can Expect at a Pre-Trial Motions Hearing in Minnesota

The pre-trial motions hearing is a court session you attend after your first arraignment. At the hearing, the prosecution and defense appear before a judge to clear several details about the case before trial. These details include pre-trial motions, evidentiary queries, and constitutional matters.

Refusing Arrest vs. Resisting Arrest in Minnesota: What’s the Difference?

Highly publicized incidents of police using excessive force over the past few years have led to people wondering, “What’s the difference between refusing arrest vs. resisting arrest?” Resisting arrest in Minnesota occurs when you use force to prevent a police officer from making a lawful arrest. Refusing an arrest, on the other hand, involves statements or actions that show reluctance to cooperate with an officer’s instructions without using force.