Understanding the Charges Associated with a Minnesota DWI

FREE MINNESOTA DWI CASE EVALUATIONone year of jail time and a fine of $3,000.
 Second DUI/DWI Charge – A conviction for this
If you’ve been arrested for driving under thecharge is considered a gross misdemeanor and
influence of alcohol or some other controlledcarries the same penalties listed above for a gross
substance in Minnesota, you could be facing severemisdemeanor. If this is your second conviction within a
penalties. In fact, you’ll be facing two different legalfive-year period of time, your license will be suspended
proceedings. The first is an administrative case infor at least one year.
which the driver’s license agency will take action toThird DUI/DWI Charge – A conviction for this
suspend your license for a period of time. The secondcharge will result in jail time and fines. You will also
proceeding is a criminal case – for criminal vehicularhave your vehicle impounded and mandatory alcohol
operation in Minnesota.abuse evaluation. As in the above example, the
Both proceedings will have an enormous effect onpenalties may be more severe if the is a consecutive
your life, but the criminal proceedings could result incharge within five years. Your license may be
fines, jail time, probation, and alcohol or drug counseling.permanently revoked, and you may have to show that
If you refused to submit to chemical testing, you willyou have been rehabilitated to receive driving privileges
automatically face an additional criminal charge.in the future.
Let’s take a look at these possible charges inFourth DUI/DWI Charge – This conviction is
greater detail:considered Felony DWI in MN. The penalties for this
The penalties associated with DUI and DWI dependconviction are very severe. You could face up to
partly on whether this is a first time DUI/DWI charge, orthree years in prison and fines of no less than $14,000.
whether you have been charged previously.Whether this is your first arrest for DUI/DWI or
First DUI/DWI Charge – A conviction for this chargeyou’ve been arrested in the past, you need to
is typically a misdemeanor offense which could lead tovigorously defend your rights and seek the counsel of
penalties of 90 days in jail, fines, and mandatoryan attorney. These are serious charges, with serious
participation in alcohol or drug education programs.consequences. If you are convicted of a felony DWI in
Your driver’s license will be suspended or revokedMN, this conviction could haunt you for future jobs.
for one year.  If there are any additional aggravatingTake action now to make sure you minimize your
factors, such as resisting arrest, it may change thischarges and sentence and get your life back on track.
charge to a gross misdemeanor, which could result in