Why You Want to Avoid a DWI Conviction in St Paul Whenever Possible

Many people fail to take charges of driving while impaired (DWI) as seriously as they should. DWI seems to be a more acceptable criminal offense among many social groups, however, you should always know that the law and authorities in Minnesota take this offense extremely seriously, and a conviction can disrupt your life in many ways.

Court-ordered Penalties

When a court convicts you of DWI, the judge will order a sentence specific to the circumstances of your case. The maximum penalties can be surprisingly serious and may include the following:

• For a blood alcohol content (BAC) under 0.16 = Misdemeanor charge, $1,000 fine, up to 90 days in jail, limited driving privileges or ignition interlock device for up to 90 days
• For a BAC over 0.16 = Gross misdemeanor charge, $3,000 fine, up to one year in jail, loss of driving privileges or ignition interlock device for one year

If you had a child in the car at the time of the DWI, you can face the gross misdemeanor charges and penalties no matter what your BAC measured. As you can see, DWI penalties are costly – both for your finances and your freedom. Most people do not realize how serious the penalties for even a first offense can be.

Increased Penalties for Subsequent Convictions

Once you have one DWI conviction, the situation becomes much more serious if you are accused of DWI again. The penalties may increase, as follows:

• Second offense = Gross misdemeanor charge, $3,000 fine, up to one year in jail, loss of driving privileges or ignition interlock device for one year (if under 0.16) or two years (if over 0.16)
• Third offense = Gross misdemeanor charge, $3,000 fine, up to one year in jail, canceled driver’s license and ignition interlock device restriction for three years, enrollment and completion of treatment and no detected use of drugs or alcohol to have the device removed from your vehicle
• Fourth offense or more = Felony charge, $14,000 fine, up to seven years in prison, canceled driver’s license and ignition interlock device restriction for up to six years, enrollment and completion of treatment and no detected use of drugs or alcohol to have the device removed from your vehicle

As you can see, judges can impose stricter penalties for subsequent DWI convictions, so you should always seek to avoid even a first conviction whenever you can. If you already have one or more DWI convictions on your record and face charges again, you need a highly skilled DWI defense lawyer who can work to prevent another conviction on your record.

Lasting Consequences of a St Paul DWI Conviction

Court-ordered penalties can be costly enough, though you should also consider additional lasting consequences of having a DWI conviction on your record. Having any criminal record can affect your life in many ways, especially a conviction for DWI. The following are only some of many possible collateral consequences of a DWI conviction:

• Loss of a job that requires you to drive or have a clean driving record
• Loss of a commercial driver’s license (CDL)
• Difficulty finding another job
• Loss of scholarships, acceptance to colleges, or eligibility to participate in collegiate sports
• Difficulty getting accepted to or completing higher educational programs
• Suspension or revocation of a professional license
• Possible deportation for non-citizens
• Limited or loss of custody privileges, especially if you had your child in the car at the time of the DWI

There could be a variety of additional collateral consequences depending on your situation.

Ways to get a DWI Charge Dismissed

Many people believe they have no way to fight a DWI charge, especially if a breathalyzer or blood test showed they were over the legal limit. This is far from the case, however, and you should always discuss your options with an experienced DWI defense lawyer as soon as possible after your arrest. Our lawyers regularly and aggressively defend against DWI charges, and some defenses may include:

• The officer pulled you over in violation of your 4th Amendment rights
• There was another explanation for signs of intoxication
• The officer did not administer field sobriety tests or breathalyzer tests correctly
• The breathalyzer device was not calibrated properly
• The forensic lab made errors when processing a blood sample
• Other factors render your BAC results unreliable
• Challenging the officer’s testimony regarding their observations during the traffic stop
• Challenging probable cause to arrest you

Of course, possible defenses can only be identified by examining the specific facts of your individual case, so do not wait to consult with one of our attorneys today.

Consult with Our Experienced St. Paul Criminal Defense Lawyers Right Away

The legal team at the Capitol City Law Group has fought zealously against DWI charges for many clients in the St. Paul area. If you were arrested on suspicion of DWI or any other criminal offense, contact us online or call 651.212.4073 to set up your free case evaluation.