Driving While Impaired Defense Attorneys in St. Paul, MN

A DWI is a criminal offense that applies to any situation where the defendant is under the influence of alcohol or drugs while driving or in operation of a motor vehicle. Automobile, boat, ATV, and snowmobile drivers may all be charged with DWI.

There is no difference between DUI and DWI in Minnesota. Driving under the influence is classified as a DWI regardless of the circumstances. However, there may be aggravating factors in a DWI that make the charges and possible repercussions more serious.

A DWI charge in Minnesota can be damaging to the defendant in many ways, even before they are convicted. Your license may be suspended, your license plates may be revoked, you’ll need to pay for an attorney, and you may not have reliable transportation to work.

If you are suspected of driving under the influence in St. Paul, you will need to submit to some sort of test that measures your level of intoxication. In Minnesota, field sobriety tests, breathalyzers, and blood and urine tests can all be used to determine someone’s BAC.

You should be given the opportunity to speak with a lawyer within a reasonable period of time before you blow into the machine. If you decline to take a field sobriety test, you will still have your breath, blood, or urine tested for your blood alcohol content.

DWIs are enhanceable offenses. With each subsequent DWI conviction, your punishment will be more severe. In Minnesota, defendants who are convicted of more than one DWI may lose their license, have to pay a fine, be forced to use an ignition interlock device, or even spend time in jail.

Generally, you will not face jail time for your first DWI in St. Paul. However, if there are aggravating factors included in your DWI charge, you may be sentenced to time in jail.

In Minnesota, the penalties for a DWI include a fine, jail time, probation, community service, a loss of your driver’s license, plate impoundment (whiskey plates) and other societal penalties such as failing background checks. For a felony DWI, you could face prison time.

You absolutely need to work with an attorney if you have been charged with DWI. If it’s your first DWI, an attorney can help you understand the process and work to minimize the repercussions of the crime. If it is not your first DWI, you face more severe consequences, so there is even more at stake.

You may lose your license if you are charged with a DWI. This can be temporary, just until your case is resolved, or it may be for a longer period of time. Defendants who are facing a second or third DWI conviction should be especially wary of this possibility.

Some DWI convictions can be expunged. If you were convicted of a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor DWI, speak with a MN DWI attorney about whether your conviction qualifies for expungement.

Minnesota is able to see DWI convictions in other states and vice versa. If you live in another state but are convicted of a DWI in Minnesota, your license may be revoked. You may also need to pay fines in both states.

You should always work with a criminal defense attorney in Minnesota who can help you defend yourself against DWI allegations. An attorney will have extensive knowledge about Minnesota’s DWI laws, and he will use that information to create the most effective defense. It also helps to have a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist.

To find the best DWI attorney for your case, look for a criminal defense attorney who has experience specifically with DWI cases. Not every criminal defense attorney has handled every type of case. You can also read online reviews or visit the attorney’s website to learn more about them.