In Minnesota DWI cases, prosecutors often rely heavily on blood test results. While these scientific tests seem hard to dispute, drivers have legal options to challenge them. The state must follow strict rules when gathering and analyzing blood samples. Errors during...
Seeing flashing lights in your rearview mirror can cause worry. You may wonder how a DWI arrest will affect your license. In Minnesota, a DWI case can involve both the criminal court and the Department of Public Safety. The effect on your license depends on the facts...
A DWI traffic stop can become more stressful when an officer asks you to take a chemical test. Many drivers wonder whether they have a choice and what could happen if they refuse. Minnesota's implied consent law answers both of those questions. Understanding how the...
Yes, it is absolutely possible to face DWI charges under Minnesota law, even if your car was not in motion and you were simply sleeping in the vehicle. The way the law is set up, a person cannot be "in physical control" of the vehicle while impaired. This distinction...
One of the strongest forms of evidence that the police have in a DWI case is the results of a breath test. If an officer suspects that a driver is under the influence, they often take the driver to the station for a Breathalyzer test. This checks their blood alcohol...
In Minnesota, if an officer has reasonable cause to believe you are driving while impaired (DWI), they may pull you over. If they do, they might ask you to take part in a series of voluntary tests. These exercises are known as field sobriety tests. Officers often use...
When you are battling a Driving While Impaired (DWI) charge, you will need to appear at an arraignment. This is your first formal appearance before a judge and knowing what comes next can help ease your anxieties about the process. Navigating the arraignment process...
In Minnesota, most drivers assume that their legal limit is 0.08%. This refers to their blood alcohol concentration. The authorities can determine this level in a few different ways, such as taking a blood draw or administering a breath test. If someone is over the...
Blood alcohol concentration is an important part of a DWI arrest. It is possible to be arrested on DWI charges even if you do not break the legal limit, such as if you admit to drinking and the officers can provide other evidence of impairment. But if your BAC reaches...
Field sobriety tests are used when officers suspect someone may be under the influence but are not sure. Common tests include the one-leg stand or the walk-and-turn test. Another example is the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. The problem with these roadside tests is...
