Minnesota Department of Public Safety Cracks Down on Holiday Drunk Driving

The colder season is filled with holiday festivities. It is tradition for Minnesotans to partake in the merriment of Thanksgiving get-togethers, Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations. The holidays are a time to reunite with old friends and family. However, along with many of these festivities comes the spirit of overindulgence: plenty of gifts, an assortment of rich foods and, in many instances, one too many alcoholic beverages.

In the month of December 2012, Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety reported that approximately 1,300 people had been arrested for driving while intoxicated .

This was no surprise, as law enforcement has been working vigorously — especially during the holiday season — to prevent drunk driving.

The Department of Public Safety has been on a mission, urging Minnesotans to plan a sober ride if they plan to drink. Authorities recommend that individuals arrange a sober driver, walk or use public transportation if consuming alcohol.

The good news is that since 2002, there has been a downward trend of drunk driving incidents on Minnesota roadways. Yet, while drunk driving incidents are down in recent years, officials note that New Year’s Eve is still considered one of the most dangerous nights on Minnesota roads.

According to Channel 5 Eyewitness News, Minnesota State Patrol troopers used patrolling initiatives to arrest 25 people in the state for drunk driving on New Year’s Eve and early New Year’s Day this year. The arrests were made between the hours of 6 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday.

The Importance of Retaining a Criminal Law Attorney

If you are found guilty of drunk driving, you face a misdemeanor punishable with up to 90 days in jail and a fine of $1,000 on your first offense. If you test .20 or more, you will be charged with a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $3,000 fine, even though it is your first offense. These are just some of the consequences associated with a conviction.

The snowy season brings extra patrolling onto Minnesota roads, and you could be caught by authorities. Just because you are arrested, however, does not automatically mean you will be found guilty. For example, if your arresting officer did not have reasonable grounds to stop you or probable cause to arrest you, this could compromise the state’s case against you. Similarly, if officers administered a breath test to you and the device was not was not properly calibrated, this error could affect the admission of evidence in your case.
If you have been charged with driving while intoxicated, you should contact an experienced Minnesota DWI attorney. A lawyer can assess your case and help ensure that your rights have been respected.

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.