With an increasing number of states legalizing marijuana medicinally, recreationally, or both, questions arise as to how—if at all—this legalization will impact DWI law. Given that more states are legalizing marijuana begs the question of how law enforcement officers are supposed to detect drivers who are under the influence. Additionally, questions are raised as to what it means to be over the limit in this context. Read More...

Depending on the job, being convicted of a DWI—or even having been arrested—may hinder your ability to get a job. Many employers ask about job applicants’ criminal record, and many run background checks to help them find the perfect candidate. While hiring decisions are, ultimately, at the employer’s discretion, there are some protections for job applicants who have had a DWI or other conviction. Read More...

What is marijuana? Quite simply, it is a combination of the flower buds, stems, and leaves of the Cannabis sativa plant. It contains delta 9-tetrahydracannabinol (THC) which is the drug’s intoxication chemical as well as at least 500 different chemicals—many of them carcinogenic. Marijuana also contains cannabidiol (CBD) that serves to counteract THC effects. These compounds can affect your body and mind in several ways. Read More...

People offer numerous reasons for making the decision to drink and drive. Perhaps they don’t think they are intoxicated. Or maybe they believe the laws don’t apply to them. Others justify driving drunk based on the short distance they are going. Aligned with these dangerous beliefs, there is a slew of drunk driving myths that many people continue to believe. Let’s debunk them. Read More...

Back in May, the Minnesota Supreme Court handed down its decision in State v. Hunn which dealt with citizens’ constitutional right to DWI pre-test counsel. At the heart of the case was whether there existed a constitutional right for DWI suspects to consult with a lawyer prior to submitting to a BAC test in criminal cases or whether this right only existed in civil implied consent cases. Read More...

An effective DWI investigation is comprised of many aspects and steps. In their most basic sense, officers stop motorists suspected of driving while impaired to determine whether they are, in fact, impaired and to obtain as much legally admissible evidence as they can. Read More...

At the beginning of August, a federal judge held that Albuquerque’s civil forfeiture program was unconstitutional and violative of procedural due process. In this landmark case, the court held that the law forced property owners to prove their own innocence which negates citizens’ constitutional protection to being viewed as innocent until proven guilty. Read More...

Certain times of the year require police crackdowns for drunk driving, and holidays—particularly Labor Day—are atop the list. Despite the difficult winters with which Minnesotans must deal each year, summer driving is far deadlier. Read More...

Following the tragic death of an eight-year-old boy who was struck by a snowmobile driven by an intoxicated driver, lawmakers have introduced a bill increasing penalties for drunk driving regardless of the vehicle which includes revoking driving privileges from all types of vehicles for individuals who are convicted of a DWI. Read More...

Back in 2015, California lawmakers introduced Assembly Bill 1356 to enable law enforcement officers to use new technology to identify drugged drivers. Under California’s implied consent law, anyone with a driver’s license has given their consent to chemical testing of their blood and/or oral fluids. Read More...