The implications of drunk driving can be significant, regardless of a defendant’s personal criminal history. A conviction for driving while intoxicated can include penalties such as time behind bars, expensive fines, loss of reputation and more. However, these penalties can be even more significant when an individual has multiple DWI convictions on his or her record. One Minnesota driver is facing six years in prison after he was convicted of a sixth DWI.
Overlapping prison sentences
The defendant is already behind bars as he is serving a prison sentence from a previous DWI conviction, which was his fifth DWI. This past spring, he received his sentence of 75 months, which he will serve concurrently with the ongoing sentence. He plead guilty to a felony charge as part of a plea agreement that would dismiss an additional felony charge.
When giving the sentence of 75 months, the judge agreed to give the defendant credit for 307 days already served. The prosecution chose not to pursue a consecutive sentence as part of the plea deal. After serving five years of the most recent prison sentence, he may be eligible for conditional release.
Seeking the best outcome
Prison is a common consequence for drivers who have multiple DWIs on their criminal records. As seen in this situation, it is sometimes most prudent to seek a plea deal that would result in less time behind bars and reduced penalties. It is helpful to work with an experienced attorney to understand the specific defense options that may be available to a Minnesota defendant.
