Driving while intoxicated is a serious criminal conviction that can impact more than just your driving record. If you are caught drinking while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you could be facing license suspension, fines and even jail time in some instances. You could be arrested for DUI or DWI if you are drinking with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher (if over the age of 21). For those under the age of 21, if any drop of alcohol is found in your blood stream, you could be arrested for a DWI. DWI charges can also be laid if you are found with drugs in your system, if you are operating a boat while under the influence (BWI), if you are operating a snowmobile while under the influence (SWI) or if you are operating any other vehicle under the influence on or off the roads. It is important to contact a Minneapolis criminal defense attorney as soon as you have been accused of a DWI offense.

Facing DWI Conviction?

If you are facing a DWI conviction, you could be looking at a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony offense depending on your history and the aggravating factors present during the arrest. Aggravating factors include the following:

• If you have a prior DUI incident within the ten years preceding the current offense
• If you refuse to provide a urine or blood test, or if you refuse the breathalyzer test
• If you have a child under the age of 16 in the car with you
• If you have a blood alcohol reading of .20 or higher

You could be facing first degree DWI charges if you have three or more DWI convictions in the past. This is considered a felony offense and you may face up to seven years in prison and $14,000 in fines. You could be facing second degree DWI charges if you have two or more aggravating factors present at the time of the arrest. You could be facing third degree DWI charges if you have one aggravating factor present at the time of your arrest. Both second and third degree DWI charges are considered gross misdemeanors while fourth degree DWI conviction is considered a misdemeanor offense.

What is at Stake?

Regardless of what degree of DUI you are facing, there is a lot at stake if found guilty. You may be looking at the following penalties and consequences:

• Jail time (for misdemeanor offenses you could be facing up to 90 days in prison, for gross misdemeanor offenses you could be facing up to 1 year in prison, for felony offenses you could be facing up to 7 years in prison)
• Fines ($1,000 to $14,000 depending on the charge)
• License revocation
• License suspension
• Whisky plates
• Driver’s education training
• Poor driving record
• A black mark on your criminal record (which cannot be expunged)

Representation throughout Minnesota

Don’t let one mistake on the road ruin the rest of your life. Rivers & Associates, PA are there when you need us most. It is important to act fast when facing an arrest and criminal conviction. Our experienced attorneys can provide you with the aggressive representation and legal assistance you need to ensure the best outcome possible. Contact us today at (612) 339-3939.

Our Minneapolis criminal defense lawyers represent clients throughout Minnesota, including the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, Mankato, St. Cloud, Moorhead, Apple Valley, Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Coon Rapids, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Lakeville, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Roseville and Woodbury.