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What Is Reasonable Suspicion for DWI in Minnesota?

Reasonable suspicion that a driver is intoxicated may be established when an officer witnesses behavior that leads him or her to believe that a motorist was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. According to Minnesota laws, police officers must have reasonable suspicion that a driver has broken the law to pull a driver over and search the driver’s vehicle or personal property.

Are Minnesota Sobriety Checkpoints Legal?

Sobriety checkpoints are illegal in Minnesota. They were ruled unconstitutional by the Minnesota State Supreme Court in 1994. Minnesota drivers can be still be stopped for suspicion of DWI, but only with reasonable cause. When a driver is stopped, he/she may be asked to submit to a field sobriety breathalyzer test or provide a blood sample. Under Minnesota’s implied consent law, refusal to submit to chemical testing can result in the revocation of a person’s driver’s license.

When a driver is stopped at a sobriety checkpoint, the blocked roadway requires every car on the road to stop. A DWI attorney often sees multiple drivers who are detained without any probable cause of wrongdoing. They are simply on the blocked roadway where the checkpoint is set up. If police delay drivers for an inordinate amount of time or search vehicles without reasonable suspicion of impairment, it’s likely the court would rule that the stop was not legal. The legality of searches and seizures at sobriety checkpoints depend on individual circumstances.

Supporters of sobriety checkpoints and states that enforce them argue that they discourage drunk driving offenses. Studies show that sobriety checkpoints reduce alcohol-related crashes by about 10 percent. Opponents of sobriety checkpoints cite Fourth Amendment rights that protect people from unconstitutional searches and seizures.

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution allows searches and seizures only if they are considered “reasonable.” When police officers pull a driver over for suspicion of drunk driving, there must be a valid reason before a search and seizure can occur. Common reasons drivers are pulled over include:

  • Driving in the wrong lane
  • Making an illegal turn
  • Swerving or weaving between lanes
  • Sudden or frequent braking
  • Tailgating another vehicle
  • Driving at night without headlights

If a driver is charged with DWI, the legality of the initial traffic stop may come into question. The legality of the stop can mean the difference between steep fines and jail time and having the charges reduced or dropped completely.

Max Keller image
Attorney Max Keller
Max Keller

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.

Experience: Practicing since 1997
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

Person using smartphone with blurred police lights background. charged with a drug crime based on text messages

Can You Be Charged With a Drug Crime Based on Text Messages Alone?

You can be charged with a drug crime based on text messages alone in Minnesota, especially when the messages show intent to purchase, sell, distribute, or traffic drugs. Prosecutors often use text messages to demonstrate intent to commit a drug crime, show a history of drug activity, link you to a specific phone, and corroborate physical evidence. Text messages often strengthen the probable cause required for the police to arrest and charge you. They are, however, not sufficient for a conviction without compelling supporting physical evidence.
Handcuffed man in beanie looking distressed during interrogation. police lie to you during an interrogation

Can the Police Lie to You During an Interrogation in Minnesota?

Criminal defendants who interact with police officers for the first time are often left wondering, “Can the police lie to you during an interrogation?” Police officers can lie to you during an interrogation. In fact, deception is a lawful and fully permitted police technique provided the officers do not use it to force a confession. Police often claim possession of non-existent evidence or witnesses to trick you into disclosing information that can aid their investigation.