| charged with a DUI, driving under the influence (of | | | | Misdemeanor, which is punishable by a maximum fine |
| drugs or alcohol) or a DWI, driving while intoxicated, is a | | | | of $1,000 and/or ninety days in jail. A court may order |
| very serious situation. The possibility exists that either | | | | you to attend an alcohol treatment program, and |
| charge could affect one’s future. They can | | | | maybe revoke your license for at least 90 days. This |
| result in substation fines, loss of a driver’s | | | | is the case if the driver’s blood alcohol reading |
| license, have implications for future employment, | | | | is under 0.20%. If the reading is over 0.20%, or the |
| increase insurance premiums, and in some cases, can | | | | person is convicted with a child in the car, it is |
| result in serving time in jail. | | | | considered a Gross Misdemeanor, which can lead to a |
| When charged with a DUI or DWI, it is important to find | | | | maximum fine of $3,000 and/or a year in jail. If a |
| someone that will understand what steps must be | | | | second offense is committed within ten years, it is also |
| taken to successfully navigate through the legal | | | | considered a Gross Misdemeanor. |
| processes. A lawyer or attorney can be a great help | | | | When a third offense is committed within ten years of |
| in these situations. This lawyer will defend the person | | | | two prior offenses, one will either have a minimum of |
| involved in the situation, and will make sure that his or | | | | 90 days in jail, or an intensive probation program which |
| her rights are protected throughout the whole process. | | | | will include at least six consecutive days in jail as well. |
| In the state of Minnesota, a blood alcohol of 0.08 or | | | | Police will most likely take a person’s car away |
| higher will allow you to be convicted of a DUI charge. | | | | at this point, and a lawyer will be needed to help deal |
| Although this is when one can be convicted, it does not | | | | with financial consequences of this seizure. After three |
| mean that driving is impaired prior to this point. Driving | | | | offenses in Minnesota, the state will also be likely to |
| skills are affected from the first drink of alcohol. The | | | | cancel one’s driver’s license as this |
| ability to react, pay attention, maintain coordination, and | | | | person is seen as a threat to public safety. |
| make good choices are affected more and more with | | | | The fourth offense within ten years of three prior |
| each drink. | | | | offenses will result in a Felony. This conviction will result |
| Unfortunately, there is no specific number of drinks that | | | | in at least three years in prison and a fine of not less |
| can alert you when you are over 0.08. Wine, beer, | | | | than $14,000. A judge my decide to reduce this three |
| mixed drinks, and hard liquor all have different | | | | year term, but there is still a mandatory sentence of at |
| percentages of alcohol. It is more important to keep | | | | least 180 days in jail, 30 of which must be served |
| track of the total amount of alcohol that is entering | | | | consecutively. |
| your system over a certain timeframe rather than just | | | | Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is |
| counting drinks. A few beers will have a different | | | | a very serious situation. Not only is the driver’s |
| affect on a person than a few shots of hard liquor. | | | | life in danger, but also the driver’s passengers, |
| This number is also not the same for everyone, | | | | and any other car or pedestrian that happens to be on |
| however. Blood alcohol levels are also influenced by | | | | the road during that time. The results of a DWI |
| gender, age, weight, medications, the amount and type | | | | conviction can lead to fairly severe penalties. Ideally, |
| of food that has recently been eaten, and other | | | | one would not place him or her self in a situation |
| factors. | | | | where one can be convicted, meaning to not drive |
| If one does end up being pulled over for DUI or DWI | | | | while under the influence. When one does happen to |
| by police, a series of tests may be administered, | | | | be pulled over and charged with this offense, however, |
| including a blood, breath, or urine test. If these tests are | | | | a lawyer who will be able to protect one’s |
| refused, it is considered a Gross Misdemeanor, which | | | | rights and will be able to lead a person through the |
| can lead to removal of your license for at least year. | | | | legal process can be an invaluable asset. |
| When a DWI conviction does happen, there are a | | | | The information you obtain from this article is not, nor is |
| number of legal and financial consequences, which | | | | it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an |
| vary depending on how many offenses one has been | | | | attorney for individual advice regarding your own |
| charged with. For the first DWI offense, it is usually a | | | | situation. |