| inneapolis Star Tribune has reported that Minnesota | | | | "implied consent" state - meaning that all drivers must |
| has the third-worst drunk driving rate in the nation. In | | | | perform a "field sobriety test", if requested by police |
| 2006, nearly 42,000 Minnesota motorists were | | | | officers. |
| arrested for Driving While Impaired (DWI) or Driving | | | | Police must follow certain procedures. Police officers |
| Under the Influence (DUI). | | | | can arrest you - even if your BAC is under the legal |
| The DWI/DUI charge is very serious and has seen | | | | limit -on the suspicion of "reckless or dangerous" |
| increased law enforcement emphasis around the | | | | driving. The commercial motor vehicle BAC is .04%. |
| country. Governments have run extensive media | | | | DWI law also applies to airplanes, ATVs, boats and |
| campaigns attempting to scare citizens about the | | | | snowmobiles. |
| dangers of DWIs and DUIs. It has also helped | | | | A DWI arrest leads to a parallel legal process of |
| governments justify increased expenditures on | | | | Criminal court proceedings and Minnesota Department |
| prosecution of this crime. As governments struggle to | | | | of Transportation administrative proceedings. Once a |
| find new revenue sources, they have turned to DWIs | | | | "revocation of driving privileges" has occurred, the |
| as a cash cow. They raise revenue, increase public | | | | State of Minnesota forces the violator to pass through |
| safety and keep people tied to the legal system. | | | | a labyrinth of bureaucratic red tape to return to regular |
| There are many penalties that may result from DWIs. | | | | driving. |
| Some are directly implemented by the government; | | | | The Interstate Driver's License Compact is a system |
| including fines, vehicle restrictions and jail time. Others | | | | of 44 states sharing DWI information. |
| are a result of criminal conviction, such as, employment | | | | Minnesota is a "plea-bargain" state, which attempts to |
| and insurance problems. | | | | settle most cases "out-of-court". Repeat offenders |
| The Minnesota State Statute Section 169a.20 refers to | | | | receive stiffer penalties. Treatment programs are also |
| "driving while impaired" as a crime involving driving, | | | | an option. |
| operating or being in physical control of a motor | | | | A professional attorney will collect evidence and |
| vehicle, while "under the influence of alcohol" or "within | | | | interview witnesses. A good lawyer can determine |
| two hours" of the aforementioned. This code has been | | | | whether breath analyzer equipment was functioning |
| updated over time to allow for easier DWI convictions. | | | | properly. |
| Minnesota's legal limit of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) | | | | They will know what the prosecutor will emphasize: |
| is .08%. It has continually been lowered over the years. | | | | reckless driving patterns, physical signs of impairment, |
| There are at least four degrees of DWI - fourth | | | | performance on "field sobriety tests" and alcohol test |
| degree impairment is a misdemeanor, third degree | | | | results. |
| impairment is a gross misdemeanor and includes an | | | | Find the best criminal defense lawyer. Turn to a |
| aggravating factor, second degree impairment is a | | | | professional who knows the law, evidence rules, police |
| gross misdemeanor with two or more aggravating | | | | procedures and can gauge the probability of success |
| factors and the first degree impairment is a felony, if | | | | for your case. |
| first of three convictions was within ten years. | | | | The information you obtain from this article is not, nor is |
| Aggravating factors include the level of intoxication, | | | | it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an |
| child involvement and refusal to take a "field sobriety | | | | attorney for individual advice regarding your own |
| test" or "blood, breath or urine test". Minnesota is an | | | | situation. |