Administrative Sanctions in Minnesota DWI

Aside from the criminal penalties involved in a DWI conviction in the state of Minnesota, those charged with such violations also face administrative repercussions. Those arrested who refuse to take a chemical test or who fail one will face an automatic license suspension. The license suspension will be for 90 days for those without aggravating circumstances or a prior impaired driving conviction within the last 10 years. Those under 21 in this category will lose their licenses for six months. For repeat offenders, the license suspension will be for 180 days. Suspensions are doubled for those found with a blood alcohol concentration of .20 or above or who have been found driving with a minor under the age of 16 in the vehicle. For those who refuse to take a chemical test, a one-year license suspension will result while those arrested for a third or subsequent violation may lose their license permanently.

Two other administrative consequences may also follow, a license plate impoundment and vehicle forfeiture. License plate impoundment applies to repeat offenders, those with a blood alcohol level of .20 percent, those with a license revocation due to previous DWIs, or those found driving impaired with a minor. Vehicle forfeiture pertains to those found in violation who were driving with a revoked license due to earlier DWIs or repeat offenders, usually those with a third violation within 10 years.

DWI Defense in Minneapolis and St. Paul

A DWI is a serious legal matter with many severe consequences. Those arrested and charged with such a violation often think that their case cannot be defended. This is a false perception; a knowledgeable attorney who focuses on this area of the law can devise workable and effective legal defenses to challenge the prosecutor's case. At Ramsay Law Firm, PLLC, serving the Twin Cities area, the legal team is devoted exclusively to DWI defense. The firm's attorneys are well-versed in the technical and scientific factors involved in such cases; they are trained in such equipment as the Intoxilyzer 5000 and the DataMaster DMT.

The firm has 15 years of experience resolving DWI charges for clients in the area and has been recognized in Minnesota Lawyers Attorneys of the Year 2011. All of this means that your case will be handled by a legal professional who is thoroughly adept in challenging your charges. Learn more about what can be done to help you achieve an optimum case result. Contact the firm 24 hours a day regarding a DWI arrest today.