Prom and graduation party season is upon us, and while that means it is a time of celebration for teens and high school graduates, it’s also a time when these young people may be tempted to make some poor choices when it comes to alcohol. Drunk driving is dangerous at any age, but it can be particularly dangerous and costly for teens and young adults, so it pays to have a conversation with your kids about underage alcohol consumption and drunk driving. In today’s blog, we share some tips for broaching the subject. Taking To Your Kids About Drunk Driving Every kid is different, so don’t take th ..read more

If The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gets its way, alcohol detection devices may be the norm in all vehicles in the not so distant future. The NHTSA is seeking public comment on “advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology” counter efforts that could be made standard in all new passenger vehicles. Shoulder their proposal in the Advanced Notice of Public Rulemaking be approved, the agency could issue a motor vehicle safety standard requiring new vehicles to have the alcohol detection device as standard operating equipment. Let’s dive into the specifics and talk ab ..read more

An Oklahoma man faces the prospect of more than a decade in jail on a Caribbean island after customs officials found ammunition in his luggage. Ryan Watson, 40, and his wife Valerie traveled to Turks and Caicos on April 7 to celebrate his 40th birthday. When they were attempting to return to the states, authorities found a zip-close bag containing bullets in the couple’s carry-on luggage. Watson said it was hunting ammunition he had accidentally brought with him, but Turks and Caicos has strict firearms laws. Both Watson and his wife were criminally charged, and if convicted the court could im ..read more

Yes. Absolutely, unequivocally yes. It doesn’t matter whether this is your first drunk driving charge or you know the judge by name because you’ve been to their court many times over, you stand to benefit greatly by having an experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner after an arrest. We explain why the answer is yes in today’s blog. Hiring A Lawyer After First DWI One of the most beneficial aspects of hiring a DUI lawyer after your drunk driving arrest is that they understand the process. Odds are you have no idea what to expect or what you stand to lose if this is your first arrest ..read more

Lawmakers are supposed to follow the rules they propose and pass for the citizens of Minnesota, but that’s turned out to be difficult for a number of legislators in recent months. At least six legislators have been notably arrested while serving the great state of Minnesota, yet none of them have resigned from office. In today’s blog, we spotlight some of the bad behavior by those elected to public office in Minnesota. Lawmakers Arrested Members of the Minnesota House are required to show “good citizenship and high personal integrity,” according to the House code of conduct, while those in the ..read more

As we’ve talked about on the blog numerous times in the past, individuals who have been convicted of a DWI in Minnesota have the option to have a special license plate installed on their vehicle. These are known as special registration plates, but they have affectionately earned the nickname “whiskey” plates over the years because the plate starts with the letter “W” and designates that the vehicle owner has a DWI on their record. The plates help police officers know that the vehicle’s owner has a previous DWI conviction on their record, but a whiskey plate in and of itself is not enough to pu ..read more

A round of golf can be an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon with friends or clients, and depending on whether you’re trying to calm your nerves or forget a bad round, it’s not uncommon for golfers to indulge in a few adult beverages on the course. It’s also not uncommon for golfers to use golf carts to make the round go a little faster, but as you know if you’re familiar with this blog, drinking and driving don’t mix. If you end up driving a golf cart over the legal limit, can you earn a DUI? In today’s blog, we explore how the state’s DWI law applies to golf carts. Golf Cart DUI Although i ..read more

The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled earlier today that a person’s vehicle is considered a public place in regards to the state’s permit-to-carry law. The ruling centered around the case of Kyaw Be Bee, who was pulled over near Larpenteur Avenue and Interstate 35E in May of 2022 on suspicion of stealing a catalytic converter. Bee was not charged with theft, but a search of the vehicle found a BB gun under Bee’s seat. He was charged with carrying a gun in public without a permit, as state law puts BB guns in the same class as shotguns and rifles. Permit To Carry Gun In Public In August, Ramsey ..read more

The intricate link between addiction and criminal behavior serves as a crucial issue impacting both legal and social realms. Recognizing this connection is imperative for law enforcement, legal professionals, and policymakers as they create strategies to address public safety and health. This article intends to deeply analyze the legal perspectives of this link, scrutinize the relevant laws, and evaluate their consequences on justice and rehabilitation systems. By exploring how addiction influences criminal actions, stakeholders can better devise and execute effective interventions. These stra ..read more

If you have been convicted of criminal charges or agreed to a plea deal, you may find that probation is part of your sentencing agreement. Although probation terms will be unique to the individual and the offense they committed, there are really only two main types of probation in Minnesota. There’s probation to the court and probation to community corrections. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at both forms of probation in Minnesota. Probation To The Court Let’s start by examining probation to the court. This form of probation has fewer involved parties, and is generally applied to indiv ..read more