DWI + DUI Attorney in St. Paul, MN

Did you know that Minnesota has targeted DUI/DWI campaigns?

St. Paul DWI + DUI Lawyer

Jack was recently ranked as one of the top DWI lawyers in St. Paul. This is important because few criminal charges in Minnesota impact so many people who would otherwise never see the inside of a courtroom like a DWI charge. Worse, few charges come with some of the brutal ramifications of a DWI. Yes, jail and even prison are possible and the more DWIs, the worse it gets. Of course, this doesn’t include criminal vehicular operation and even criminal vehicular homicide cases. In fact, there are mandatory minimum jail sentences on many of these charges. However, you also face almost immediate license revocations, license plate impoundment and even sometimes vehicle forfeiture and the clock usually starts ticking soon after a police officer stops you on the side of the road. In addition there may be MADD Victim Impact requirement as well as chemical dependency evaluation treatment requirements.

How to Beat Minnesota DWI Charges - 4 Steps to Success.

This doesn't include insurance cost increases, impacts to job, to travel visas and more. Because of this, the idea of "going it alone" shouldn’t be an option. In addition to decades of courtroom experience, Jack has written extensively about Minnesota DWI/DUI Crimes. Click here for more. So, when you really need help, contact Jack Rice Defense for a free consultation or call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339.

Minneapolis / St. Paul DWI + DUI Lawyer

Frequently Charged Minnesota DWI Offenses

 

1st Degree Felony DWI

If you are charged with a 1st degree felony DWI, you could face to up to 7 years in prison and up to a $14,000 fine.

 

2nd Degree Gross Misdemeanor DWI

If you are charged with a 2nd degree gross misdemeanor DWI, you could face up to 1 year in jail and up to a $3,000 fine.

3rd Degree Gross Misdemeanor DWI

If you are charged with a 3rd degree gross misdemeanor DWI, you could face up to 1 year in jail and up to a $3,000 fine.

 

4th Degree Misdemeanor DWI

If you are charged with a 4th degree misdemeanor, you could face up to 90 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.  

Felony Criminal Vehicular Homicide

If you are charged with a DWI and if somebody died as a result, you could face felony criminal vehicular homicide charges.

 

Gross Misdemeanor or Felony Criminal Vehicular Operation

If you are charged with a DWI and depending upon the serious of injuries you could face either a gross misdemeanor or a felony criminal vehicular operation charge.

Additional DWI Resources

What Our Clients are Saying

You Need Strong Representation When Facing a MN DWI Charge

Few charges can impact your life like a DWI. We live in a world where everything is spread out and we all have obligations that require us to get from one place to another and a car is really our only option. This is true whether it is for a job, school, family obligations, or simply going to the grocery store.  And yet, even a first time DWI charge can put all that in jeopardy.  

And it can happen not long after you see the flashing of police lights in your rear view mirror. Consider, even with certain first time DWI charges, the Court is required to set bail at $12,000 in order to release you from custody. Further, the State can then take your license away from you after 7 days and this is all before you have been convicted of anything. However, it can get much worse.

If you are charged with a first offense DWI, you may qualify for a limited license under certain circumstances. The Department of Public Safety doesn’t make it easy but there is a step by step process. If the State takes your license, on option is interlock. This would generally allow you to get your license back without delay and possibly without limitations. Interlock can be complex and there is a step by step process that you must follow. Jack Rice Defense can help.

Minnesota is extraordinarily aggressive in prosecuting people for DWIs. In fact, they have become so proficient that more than one in ten Minnesotans actually has a DWI.  The State also spends enormous amounts in training their officers and creating a system so that a DWI arrest will stick. When an arrest sticks, the State can then enhance charges based upon previous convictions. The result can be misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and even felony DWIs. These are all criminal convictions. This also doesn’t include the license revocations, license plates removal and even vehicle forfeitures that can come from DWI convictions. 

Understanding Your DWI Charges in St. Paul, Minnesota

Possible DWI charges include misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors and felonies. They can range from a first time charge with a low blood alcohol level to criminal vehicular homicide. Sometimes, it is about seriousness of offense and sometimes it is because of prior DWIs making current charges far worse. Regardless, one feature of DWIs is mandatory minimum sentences which can absolutely result in real time behind bars.  

Having an experienced Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist can make a difference and there are absolutely some things you can do if you find yourself in this position. Jack Rice is a former prosecutor and has decades of experience in Minnesota courtrooms that he wants to put at your disposal.  Give him a call for a free consultation. 

 Recent Blog Posts on DWI-DUI Law in St. Paul, Minnesota

FAQs About DWI + DUI Charges 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.