DWI Attorney - St. Paul, Minnesota

Arrested for DWI in St. Paul, Minnesota?

Under Minnesota law, once you have been cited for violating the DWI statute, the state initiates two simultaneous, yet separate legal actions against you. The criminal action is in response to the ticket that was issued to you, while the administrative action is brought against your Minnesota driver's license by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. While both actions can result in the suspension of your Minnesota driving privileges, it is important to remember that there may be more penalties to consider and each action must be handled separately.

If you have been charged with DWI, it is a major offense that can have major consequences, including jail time, loss of driving privileges, and monetary fines. It is imperative that anyone facing a DWI (DWI) charge understand what challenges they will encounter. It is important you seek the legal advice of a competent and experienced DWI attorney immediately. Call today for a free, professional consultation.

Minnesota Administrative Hearing

According to Minnesota law, an individual has 30 days to request a hearing from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Once the arresting officer retains your state issued driver's license, you are issued a "Notice of Revocation" and a 7 day temporary license which serves as your driver's license in lieu of the one retained by the officer. If you fail to request a hearing within 30 days, your right to the hearing is lost, and your license is automatically suspended for the applicable statutory time frame. In order to preserve your right to an Administrative Hearing, it is important that you submit your request to the Minnesota DPS within 30 days.

DWI Penalties for First Time Offenders

• Monetary Fines - Fines for a first time DWI in St. Paul, Minnesota are up to $1,000.00.
• Time in Jail - In St. Paul, Minnesota, a first time DUI or DWI offender faces jail time of up to 90 days.
• Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement is a crime in Minnesota and carries a penalty of 1 year in jail and or a $3,000.00 fine. Refusal will also result in the revocation of driving privileges for 1 year. The revocation may be reduced to 30 days if the offender pleads guilty to DWI, or reduced to 90 days if offender pleads guilty to test refusal.
• Minnesota Driving Privileges and DWI - In St. Paul, Minnesota, a first time DUI or DWI conviction results in the revocation of Minnesota driving privileges for 90 days, however if the offender pleads guilty to the DWI, the revocation period can be reduced to 30 days.
• Alcohol Evaluation - Successful completion of a DWI knowledge test and chemical assessment is required for reinstatement of Minnesota driving privileges.
• Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the DWI statute with a BAC level of 0.04. A first time DWI (driving while intoxicated) or DUI (driving under the influence) conviction will result in the loss of the commercial driver's license for 1 year, while any subsequent DWI offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the commercial license.

DUI Laws

Minnesota is an implied consent state. This means that if you operate a motor vehicle, you consent to have your BAC level tested. It is imperative you seek the legal advice of a competent and experienced DWI attorney immediately. Call today for a free, professional consultation.

DWI Subsequent Offenses

Penalties are increasingly more severe for any additional DWI violations. Due to the complexity of DWI laws in Minnesota, you may not be aware of options and rights. This is why an aggressive and experienced defense attorney can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. Please contact a DWI - DWI attorney for a free, professional consultation.

Additional St. Paul, Minnesota DWI Costs

Beyond any fines and court costs you will have to pay, there are numerous other charges that can add up and cost you a lot of money. Some of the other costs for DWI might include:

• Towing - Having your vehicle towed in St. Paul, Minnesota can be expensive.
• Vehicle Storage - After your vehicle is towed, it has to be stored somewhere, which is another additional cost.
• Loss of Wages - When you begin to add in the money lost by missing work, the amount really begins to add up quickly.

As you can see, there are quite a few "hidden costs" when it comes to getting a DWI in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.