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:
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:
3rd Degree Gross Misdemeanor DWI
2nd Degree Gross Misdemeanor 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.