You Need A Proven Attorney If You Are A Repeat Drunk Driver

Most drunk driving charges in Minnesota are misdemeanors that carry relatively minor punishments. But if you are a repeat offender, you could be charged with gross misdemeanor or even felony DWI, and be facing significant prison time. DUI (driving under the influence) and DWI (driving while impaired or intoxicated) are used interchangeably in Minnesota, though the state classifies the crime as DWI. In some states, they indicate different levels of intoxication and permit different punishments. Here, the terms mean the same thing — drunk driving.

At the law firm of Jeffrey B. Ring & Associates, I understand the nuances of Minnesota drunk driving laws and how best to prevent license revocation and preserve your freedom. A number of factors can be challenged to prevent conviction or to influence your sentence. We have nearly 40 years of experience successfully defending drunk driving cases. We review every case for facts that help us build a strong defense.

What You Need To Know About Felony DWI In Minnesota

A felony is any crime punishable by more than one year in prison. The most severe DWI charge in the state is first-degree DWI. It is a felony and is triggered by a person's fourth drunk driving offense, regardless of the alcohol level.

You are guilty of first-degree driving while impaired if you are convicted of drunk driving and:

  • You have had three or more prior convictions for drunk driving or alcohol-related license revocations within the previous 10 years.
  • You have ever been convicted of felony DWI.
  • You have a prior felony conviction for an injury or criminal vehicular homicide related to drunk driving.

Other factors, such as driving with alcohol content above .16 or driving under the influence with a child in the car, can escalate lesser degrees of drunk driving, but they do not automatically trigger a felony. Only your DWI convictions are taken into account.

Punishment for felony DWI is the most severe drunk driving penalty and includes any or all of the following:

  • A minimum 180-day sentence for the first felony conviction (at least 30 days served in jail and the remaining time on electronic home monitoring)
  • A minimum of a one-year sentence for a second felony DWI (60 days in jail, with the remaining days on electronic home monitoring)
  • Up to seven years in prison
  • Minimum $4,200 fine, up to a $14,000 fine
  • Forfeiture of your vehicle
  • License cancellation for up to four years or more
  • Up to six years of remaining alcohol/drug free before removal of the ignition interlock device
  • Impounded license plates

If you have been charged with a DWI in Minnesota, you need representation from an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney at our firm.

Gross Misdemeanor DWI For Bus Drivers

In Minnesota, it is a crime for a school bus driver to consume alcohol before driving. That driver will be charged with a gross misdemeanor if:

  • A child under 16 and more than 36 months younger than the driver was on the bus
  • The driver had a previous DWI conviction within 10 years

The penalties for a gross misdemeanor include a fine of up to $3,000 and up to one year in prison. If the circumstances for a gross misdemeanor are not present, driving a bus while intoxicated is still a misdemeanor. The penalties for a misdemeanor include up to 90 days in prison and a fine of up to $1,500. A DWI conviction also comes with the loss of a bus driver's license for five years. If you are a school bus driver and have been arrested for drunk driving, I can defend you.

A Tough Minneapolis Defense Attorney For A Tough Crime

Jeffrey B. Ring & Associates thoroughly investigates every DWI case and pursues every angle of defense. Contact my firm for a free initial consultation.