Third Offense DWI in Minnesota

Operating a motor vehicle in the state of Minnesota with a blood alcohol content of approximately .10% or higher is considered by state law to be driving while impaired or intoxicated. If you have been charged with a third DWI offense in Minnesota, be prepared to accept stiff consequences in the form of penalties and punishments.

Penalties and Punishments in Minnesota

If you should find yourself facing a third offense DWI in Minnesota, you could be charged with a gross misdemeanor which is punishable by law. Some of the charges you may face include:

• Up to 1 year in jail
• A fine of $3000
• Drivers license suspension of up to six months
• Limited driver’s license
• License plate impoundment
• Forfeiture of vehicle
• Jail detention until the first court appearance
• Completion of an alcohol treatment program
• Electronic home monitoring

Depending on the charges, a third offense DWI in Minnesota can be considered a felony, with three or more years of prison time and a fine of up to $14,000. Be aware that your automobile insurance policy rates can go up after receiving a third DWI offense. You may even lose your auto insurance.

Plea Options in Minnesota

Plea bargaining is an option in Minnesota. If you plead guilty to a lesser charge, you may be granted a reduced charge or sentence in your DWI case. The final decision in any DWI case in Minnesota is the judge’s. Sentences for driving while impaired can vary quite a bit, depending on which country the arrest was made in and what judge hears the case.

Alcohol Testing Required

When a third offense DWI is issued in Minnesota, the arrested party is requested to take blood, breath, or urine tests in order to determine the level of alcohol or controlled substance they have consumed. Refusal of these tests can cause more penalties to be added to your case.

Both Civil and Criminal Charges Are Filed

All DWIs in Minnesota have both civil and criminal penalties, and these are two separate and distinct legal proceedings. License suspension is normally the civil component; while criminal charges are filed because of driving under alcoholic influence as well as any other alleged extenuating circumstance such as fleeing the scene, assaulting a law officer, or causing property or bodily injury.

All Motor Vehicles Included

Be advised that third offense DWIs have been given to those in Minnesota who are operating a motor vehicle that does not require a license from the state to operate. These vehicles could be:

• Snowmobiles
• All-terrain vehicles
• Golf carts
• Riding lawn mowers
• Any vehicle not meant for street use

Does Your DWI Case Have Aggravating Factors?

The severity of a third offense DWI in Minnesota should not be understated, however it can become even more severe when any aggravating factors in your case are taken into consideration. In situations such as this as well as any situation in which an individual has been charged with a third offense DWI, you should seek competent legal advice as soon after your arrest as possible.

Where to Go for Legal Assistance

Anyone facing a third offense DWI in Minnesota could benefit from a consultation with an attorney who specializes in DWI law. These professionals are familiar with all of the vagaries of Minnesota DWI law, and can help you to see the facts of your case clearly and bring your case to a successful conclusion.