Minnesota DWI Arrests Drop Amid Pandemic

Minnesota witnessed a 68% drop in DWI arrests amid stay-at-home orders and closures of restaurants, nightclubs, and bars.

DWI Arrests Plummet With COVID-19 Closures

Since Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued a stay-at-home order in March, there has been a significant drop in DWI arrests across the state. To prevent the further spread of COVID-19 illnesses and deaths, Governor Walz mandated the closure of all Minnesota non-essential businesses including restaurants, nightclubs, and bars on March 17, 2020. As a result, DWI accidents and arrests plummeted to their lowest levels in years.

According to the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety, there were 323 DWI arrests during the weekend of March 13-16, prior to stay-at-home orders. During the weekend of March 20-23, DWI arrests dropped to 126, and during the weekend of March 27-31 dropped again to 94. Compared to DWI arrests during the same time periods in March 2019, Minnesota DWI arrests dropped by 68% during March 2020.

Following mandated stay-at-home orders, Minneapolis DWI attorneys have also seen a significant drop in DWI arrests and related offenses. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, DWI accidents between March 17-26 were cut in half. State Patrol officers attribute the major drop in drunk driving accidents to fewer drivers on the road due to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and closures of establishments that commonly serve alcohol to customers.

Despite a huge drop in DWI accidents and arrests, unfortunately, there are still problems on Minnesota roads. In recent months, the Minnesota State Patrol announced that troopers have witnessed a rise in cases of excessive speeding, reckless driving, and aggressive behaviors, even with fewer cars on the road. With home isolation and lack of social activities, many drivers seem to be taking their boredom and pent-up energy out behind the wheel of a car. With less traffic and open freeways, many drivers are ignoring speed limits, running stop signs and traffic lights, and throwing safe driving measures right out the window.

In some cases, drivers who are pulled over for speeding are impaired by drugs and/or alcohol with BAC levels well above the legal limit of .08. In Minnesota, state laws impose harsh penalties for DWI accidents and arrests. Depending on the individual circumstances of a DWI arrest, an offender can spend months or years behind bars without proper legal defense from a Minneapolis DWI attorney who can work with Minnesota courts to get a sentence reduced.

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

How a DWI Affects CDL Holders in Minnesota

Commercial motor vehicle drivers arrested or charged with driving while impaired (DWI) may need to know how a DWI affects CDL holders in Minnesota. You will lose your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for at least a year if you are convicted of DWI for the first time, and forever after a second conviction. The consequences go beyond the immediate legal implications of a DWI conviction. A CDL suspension or revocation will lead to job loss, difficulty finding employment, and serious financial challenges.

How a DWI Affects Rideshare Drivers in Minnesota

Knowing how a DWI affects rideshare drivers in Minnesota allows you to take the right steps to protect your license and livelihood. A DWI conviction will lead to suspension or cancellation of your driver’s license. Once you lose your license, you will be ineligible for a work permit required to work for rideshare companies as a driver. You may also face jail time, fines, or ignition interlock device (IID) installation, depending on the seriousness and number of related offenses on your record.

Can Police Search Your Phone Without a Warrant in Minnesota?

People under criminal investigation or whose phones have been seized by law enforcement officers may ask, “Can police search your phone without a warrant in Minnesota?” It’s illegal for police to search your phone without a warrant. However, there are exceptions to the warrant requirement. These exceptions include when you consent to the search, someone’s life is in danger, or there is an immediate risk of evidence destruction.