Police officers in Minnesota are always on the lookout for impaired drivers. They arrest people who swerve all over the road and those who fail chemical tests after a collision. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges in Minnesota can cause a variety of personal setbacks.
The courts can sentence someone to serve time in jail. They can order a defendant to pay large fines. They may also strip someone of their driving privileges after a DWI conviction. Losing a driver’s license can put someone’s career at risk. It may render them incapable of properly supporting their family.
A need to find alternate transportation can be inconvenient and expensive. For some people, the driver’s license penalties that stem from a DUI are one of the more compelling reasons to fight pending charges.
Even a first offense can cost someone their license
A first DWI charge with no aggravating factors can lead to a 90-day license suspension. The accused party may also be eligible to continue driving if they install an ignition interlock device (IID) for 90 days. If the driver has a high blood alcohol concentration of 0.16% or higher or a child in their vehicle, they may lose their license for a year or have to install an IID for a full year.
A second DWI conviction leads to a yearlong license suspension or IID requirement without aggravating factors. A high BAC offense or a DWI with a child in the vehicle could lead to a two-year suspension or IID requirement.
A third DWI leads to the state canceling the driver’s license of the party convicted. They have to install an IID for three years in many cases before they can regain full driving privileges. Fourth or subsequent offenses can require between four and six years of no detected alcohol use before someone can drive without an IID in their vehicle.
Reviewing the options for retaining a license or fighting DWI charges with the assistance of a skilled legal team can help people reduce the risk of incurring consequences as a result of impaired driving charges. Minnesota’s harsh laws can lead to long-term consequences, especially in cases involving aggravating factors or a driver with a prior offense on their record.