In Minnesota, the consequences of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol are significant. A conviction for a DWI can result in penalties that may include time behind bars, loss of driving privileges, expensive fines and more. During specific times of...
Minnesota News
DUI Arrest Without Drinking Alcohol Can and Does Occur
If a Minnesota police officer makes a traffic stop and asks the driver to exit his or her vehicle, it is likely that the officer suspects the driver of intoxication or other impairment. During this type of traffic stop, a police officer might ask a driver to take a...
2021 DWI Arrests Down Significantly
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) recently released 2021 crime statistics, and reported driving under the influence arrests totaled 14,799 down 17.37% from 2020, down 27.11% from 2019, and down 33.26% since 2015. Past 6...
Tests law enforcement may use to determine a driver’s state
If law enforcement sees a driver exhibiting behaviors that could indicate impaired driving, the officer has valid grounds to pull the vehicle over. At the start of a suspected drunk driving traffic stop, a Minnesota officer may speak with the driver in order to...
Remote Court Hearings (Zoom) Brought On By The Pandemic Are About To Become A Part of Minnesota’s Future
Remote court hearings (Zoom) brought on by the pandemic are about to become a part of Minnesota’s future. After two years of remote zoom hearings necessitated by the pandemic, things are about to permanently change. On June 6, 2022, the Minnesota Judicial Branch will...
Carrying a pistol while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can result in the revocation of your permit and forfeiture of the pistol
If you are driving along a Minnesota highway and a police officer pulls you over in a traffic stop, there could be negative implications. If you are suspected of DWI, however, things might get a lot worse before they get better, especially if you happen to be carrying...
Is Your Vehicle Still Street Legal After You Modified it From the Factory? MN Appellate Court Says Cops Can Pull You Over Anyway
The Minnesota Court of Appeals released a new opinion today that might surprise you, although it comes as no surprise to us. It opens the door for officers to stop vehicles if the vehicle was originally equipped with unnecessary components that have been removed by...
When Is It Better to Refuse a Blood, Breath or Urine Test offered at the Police Station?
Minnesota is one of only a handful of states that makes it a crime to refuse to submit to an official blood, breath or urine test after being arrested on suspicion of DWI / DUI. While that basic idea sounds simple, there are many misconceptions about how the crime is...
Sleeping it off in your car counts as DWI in Minnesota
You have had beverages and you think your blood alcohol is above the legal limit. Maybe you also had a long day at work before your first drink. Before driving home, would it be wise to climb into the back seat of your car and take a nap? Would the police give you a...
2021 Changes to DWI Law in Minnesota
Every year we see some kind of tweaking and modification of Minnesota’s DWI laws, usually to make penalties harsher. This year had a mix of changes that seem small but will have a big impact on many people who are arrested for DWI. There were also some long-awaited...