Facing a driving while impaired (DWI) charge in Minnesota means that you may have to deal with considerable consequences. These include imprisonment, fines, license suspension, community service and ignition interlock device (IID) requirements.
The exact penalties you’re facing depend largely on how many DWI offenses you’ve had in the past. There are also aggravating factors, such as having a child in the vehicle or having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of more than .16%, that can enhance the penalties you’ll face.
Specific penalties based on prior convictions
A first-time conviction is a misdemeanor that comes with a 90-day driver’s license revocation, up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. The driver’s license revocation is extended to up to one year if your BAC was .16% or higher. Some people, including those who had a child in the vehicle and those with a high BAC, may be required to have IID installed in their vehicle.
A second DWI within 10 years comes with a driver’s license revocation of one to two years, up to a year in jail and a $3,000 fine. An IID is required for at least one year.
A third offense in 10 years is a gross misdemeanor. It comes with up to a year in jail, with a mandatory minimum, vehicle forfeiture, driver’s license revocation and an IID for at least three years when you’re allowed to get your driver’s license back.
Fourth and subsequent DWIs in a 10-year period are felony charges that come with a fine of $14,000, up to seven years in prison, at least four years of license revocation, vehicle forfeiture and mandatory IID requirement.
It shows why exploring your defense options is valuable if facing a DWI charge.
