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

The implications of a conviction for driving while intoxicated are significant. Minnesota drivers with these types of convictions on their records could face consequences that may include time behind bars, expensive fines, mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device and more. In many cases, it is beneficial to fight a DWI charge and seek to protect one’s long-term interests. This starts from the moment the police initiate a suspected drunk driving traffic stop.  During and after a traffic stop  When a driver notices flashing lights in his or her rearview mirror, it is best ..read more

If Minnesota police pull you over in traffic and ask you to exit your vehicle, it’s likely they suspect you of impairment. The stop may occur because an officer witnessed your tires veer over the yellow line or your brake lights turn on and off at random moments that didn’t match the traffic flow. You must step out of your vehicle when instructed to do so. If you wind up in custody for suspected DUI, it’s important for you to remember details about the traffic stop. As mentioned in the previous section, police must have a justifiable reason for making a traffic stop. They must also establish p ..read more

If Minnesota police pull you over in traffic and ask you to exit your vehicle, it’s likely they suspect you of impairment. The stop may occur because an officer witnessed your tires veer over the yellow line or your brake lights turn on and off at random moments that didn’t match the traffic flow. You must step out of your vehicle when instructed to do so. If you wind up in custody for suspected DUI, it’s important for you to remember details about the traffic stop. As mentioned in the previous section, police must have a justifiable reason for making a traffic stop. They must also establish p ..read more