What If I’m Facing 4th Degree Misdemeanor DWI Charges in Minnesota?

Minnesota is notorious for aggressively prosecuting DWIs. As a result, police departments spend a large amount of their resources trying to catch drunk drivers. In fact, they spend even more training their officers to get a conviction. As a result, it is critical if you are being charged with a 4th degree DWI to have an experienced DWI Attorney by your side.

So what exactly is a DWI in Minnesota?

Minnesota DWI laws make it a crime if:

  1. you drive, operate or are in physical control of a motor vehicle anywhere in the State of Minnesota, including boundary waters, while:

  • you are under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance,

  • you were driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 (.08 is defined as .08 percent alcohol concentration) or more as tested within two hours of driving, operating or in physical control of a motor vehicle.

  • you have a schedule I or schedule II controlled substance in your body (any amount); or

  • it is a commercial vehicle, having a BAC of .04 or more at the time or within two hours of driving, operating or in physical control of a vehicle, or

     2.  you refuse to submit to a chemical test of the person’s blood, breath or urine according to the implied consent laws of Minnesota.  However, it is only a crime to refuse a urine or blood test if the officer first obtained a search warrant to collect those samples and you then refuse.    

Possible 4th Degree Misdemeanor DWI Charges:

  • Driving while under the Influence of alcohol

  • Driving with a blood alcohol concentration over .08

Possible Penalties for 4th Degree Misdemeanor DWI may include:

  • 90 days in jail

  • $1000 fine

  • Court surcharges

  • Chemical Dependency Evaluation and Treatment

  • MADD Victim Impact Panel

  • Supervised Probation

Additional ramifications that may apply:

  • License revocation

  • License reinstatement fees

  • Car towing and storage fees

  • Insurance costs

  • Loss of work

Range of Potential DWI Charges include:

4th Degree Misdemeanor DWI

3rd Degree Gross Misdemeanor DWI

2nd Degree Gross Misdemeanor DWI

1st Degree Felony DWI

Because there are very specific legal and factual requirements for each and every element of a DWI charge, it is important to sit down with a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist to discuss your situation. Whether this is your first DWI or you have priors, don’t hesitate to give Jack Rice Defense a call.  Jack is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist and can help you understand what you face and how to get your life back on track.  

Let a St. Paul DWI Lawyer help. Reach out for a free confidential consultation or call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339.

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What Exactly is an Aggravating Factor for a DWI in Minnesota?