Summer is quickly approaching which means the kickoff holiday, Memorial Day, will soon see Minnesota residents celebrating. Many people hold get-togethers on Memorial Day weekend, which often includes drinking alcohol. Drivers should be aware of their limits when it comes to drinking and be prepared for sobriety checkpoints throughout the state. Law enforcement officers may set up checkpoints in hopes of reducing the occurrence of alcohol-related accidents. Sobriety checkpoints Sobriety checkpoints allow law enforcement officers to stop all drivers or certain drivers traveling through a highly ..read more

When it comes to driving while impaired/intoxicated (DWI), the usual suspects often include alcohol and illicit substances. However, there is one often overlooked culprit: prescription medications. These drugs, even when taken as prescribed, may potentially put drivers in dangerous situations. How prescription drugs may impair driving In Minnesota, it is unlawful to operate a vehicle when under the influence of a controlled substance or an intoxicating substance. Controlled substances include drugs that have a risk for physical and mental dependence, including prescription medications such as ..read more

Facing DWI charges in Minnesota can be incredibly stressful. There are many possible outcomes when one is facing such serious charges. In some cases, the charges could be dismissed or reduced. If one is convicted, there could be fines, jail time, or loss of driving privileges. A recent collision in St Louis County has left a driver facing uncertainty after he was charged with DWI when he struck a deputy’s car that was parked on the side of the road.   Details of the accident  A St Louis County deputy was assisting a Minnesota State Patrol trooper at the scene of an unrelated acc ..read more

When a Minnesota driver is pulled over under suspicion of DWI, the police officer on the scene may perform some field sobriety tests to determine if the driver is intoxicated. A Breathalyzer test may also be administered to show the driver’s blood alcohol content. If someone is arrested, they may be asked for a blood and/or urine sample once they are booked into the jail. Those accused of DWI should be aware of their rights when it comes to providing urine and blood samples. Is a warrant required? Under Minnesota law, those who drive in the state are subject to implied consent. This means that ..read more

If a Minnesota police officer has pulled you over and asked you to take a field sobriety test, you can logically assume that he or she is trying to establish probable cause to make a drunk driving arrest. You’re not obligated to take a sobriety test during a traffic stop. Declining does not protect you from police custody, however, because police might establish cause in other ways, as well. When an individual winds up facing DUI charges, it is typically best to fight them. After the police arrest you and (most likely) take you to a county jail, the court will schedule your arraignment. This i ..read more

Teens and young adults in Minnesota, and elsewhere, can make some stupid decisions when it comes to drinking and driving. They don’t always have the cognitive ability to understand just how serious the consequences can be when they drive while under the influence of alcohol. But underage drinking is a very real problem that can lead to severe consequences if caught. These consequences could impact offenders’ ability to finish high school, get into college, and get a job.   Underage drinking  Underage drinking while driving can contribute to accidents where others are seriously i ..read more

It can be overwhelming to see the flashing lights of a law enforcement officer in your rearview mirror. Once you see police indicating that you need to pull over, you know that it is important to pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. However, you may not know what to expect or what is going to happen next. One thing that could occur is that police may ask you to submit to field sobriety tests. These are done so that law enforcement can adequately and quickly assess the condition of the driver and determine if a chemical test is necessary. Field sobriety tests consist of three different tas ..read more

Suddenly being pulled over and suspected of any kind of traffic violation can be a frightening and nerve-wracking experience for anyone traveling the roadways here in Minnesota. This can especially be true if law enforcement has reason to believe you were driving while intoxicated. However, the police can’t just pull you over without having a credible reason to do so. Known as reasonable suspicion, an officer must have a justifiable reason for suspecting criminal activity before making any traffic stop.  Many different observations can provide law enforcement with reasonable suspicion tha ..read more

Facing charges for driving while intoxicated can create one of the most challenging situations anyone in Minnesota or across the nation may ever encounter. Thoughts of significant fines, the possible loss of driving privileges and the ability to secure employment, and even the potential of serving time in jail can create a lot of sleepless nights. Fortunately, formal DWI accusations are still far from a conviction, and those accused of this criminal offense have certain rights, including the ability to explore all their legal options. A recent plea deal for Wes Phillips — who is the offensive ..read more

A bus driver employed by the Rush City Public Schools was arrested after her bus left the road as she was on her morning route. When police arrived at the scene of the accident, they determined that she was under the influence of alcohol, and she was arrested for DWI. There were children on board at the time, and the school system had to call in another driver to complete the route.  Charged with driving under the influence  The driver was eventually charged with two counts of driving while under the influence. After police arrived at the scene where the vehicle had veered off the ro ..read more