When a police officer arrests you on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they set a chain of events in motion that may culminate in a felony or misdemeanor conviction. There are several steps in the Minnesota DWI process and understanding them will help you to remain composed and give yourself the best possible chance of emerging with an acquittal.
On Tuesday, May 30, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bill that legalizes the recreational use, purchase, and possession of marijuana for state residents over the age of 21. The move makes Minnesota the 23rd state to end cannabis prohibition (adult-use marijuana is also legal in Washington, DC).
Minnesotans who are convicted of DWI offenses generally have to hand their licenses over to the authorities as part of their penalty. The duration of this license revocation period varies depending on the severity of the sentence; it can be as short as 30 days, or it can remain in place for life.
When you get your Minnesota driver’s license and take to the roads, you automatically accept that you must, by law, submit to chemical tests (like breath, blood, or urine tests) if a police officer suspects you of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
As every driver should know, it’s against the law to operate a vehicle while inebriated. As well as that, though, it’s also a crime to have an open alcohol container in your vehicle while you’re driving, even if you’re fully sober.
Statistics show that Minnesotans own more boats per capita than people from anywhere else in the United States. There are more than 14 boats here for every 100 people, putting Minnesota well ahead of second-placed South Carolina, which has just over 11 for every 100 residents.
According to the Minnesota Board of Public Defense, court-appointed lawyers represent about 150,000 individuals in criminal cases in state courts each year. Public defenders represent the majority of felony defendants, and most minors accused of crimes as well.
The Second Amendment to the US Constitution protects the right of every American to own and use firearms. However, the courts have ruled that this right can be limited, and even taken away in some circumstances (these vary from state to state).
The longer it takes to press charges against an individual suspected of committing a criminal offense, the more difficult it becomes to give them a fair trial. Memories fade, and reliable evidence becomes harder to collect.
Statistics from the Stanford Open Policing Project indicate there are over 50,000 police traffic stops in the United States on an average day. These stops are the most common type of interaction between road users and law enforcement.
Top 20 DWI Questions in MN
