- Minneapolis and St. Paul DWI defense attorney Thomas A. Wilson represents clients in all types of DWI cases ranging in severity level from misdemeanors to felonies.
- Minneapolis and St. Paul DWI defense attorney Thomas A. Wilson represents clients in the areas of:
- Minneapolis and greater Hennepin County;
- St. Paul and greater Ramsey County;
- Anoka County;
- Dakota County;
- Sherburne County;
- Washington County;
- Wright County;
- Carver County;
- Greater Minnesota.
- Minneapolis and St. Paul DWI defense attorney Thomas A. Wilson has defended DWI clients charged with Test Refusal, Fourth-Degree DWI, Third-Degree DWI, Fourth-Degree DWI ("physical control") in Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, and more.
- Minneapolis and St. Paul DWI defense attorney Thomas A. Wilson provides a free and confidential case consultation for DWI cases. Feel free to call Mr. Wilson today at 763-222-6915.
I Am Here to Help.
Call Today for a Free, No-obligation DWI Case Consultation: (763) 222-6915
Overview of Minnesota DWI/DUI Law
Elements of a DWI Crime in Minnesota
DWI/DUI (Minn. Stat. § 169A.20, subd. 1)
It is a crime to drive, operate, or be in physical control of a motor vehicle: 1) Under the influence of alcohol; 2) Under the influence of a controlled substance; 3) Knowingly under the influence of a hazardous substance; 4) Any combination of 1, 2, and/or 3; 5) Blood Alcohol Level is 0.08 or more at the time or within two hours of driving, operating, or being in physical control of a motor vehicle; 6) Under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol level of 0.04 or more if driving, operating, or in physical control of a commercial motor vehicle; or 7) Body contains any amount of a controlled substance listed in schedule I or II, or its metabolite (other than marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinols).Chemical Test Refusal (Minn. Stat. § 169A.20, subd. 2)
It is a crime for any person to refuse to submit to a chemical test of the person’s blood, breath, or urine under Minn. Stat. § 169A.51 (chemical tests for intoxication) or Minn. Stat. § 169A.52 (test refusal or failure; revocation of license).First-Time DWI Offense Criminal Penalties and Administrative Sanctions Overview
Criminal Penalties
- Under 0.20
- Under 0.20 and child in vehicle
- 0.20 or over
- 0.20 or over and child in vehicle
- Test Refusal
Criminal Penalties
- Misdemeanor: Up to 90 days in jail and/or $1,000.00 fine.
- Gross Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail and/or $3,000.00 fine.
- Gross Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail and/or $3,000.00 fine.
- Gross Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail and/or $3,000.00 fine; Vehicle forfeited (administrative).
- Gross Misdemeanor: UP to 1 year in jail and/or $3,000.00 fine.
Administrative Sanctions
- Under 0.20
- Under 0.16 and child in vehicle
- 0.16 or over and/or child in vehicle
- Test Refusal
- 90 days of no driving privileges; driver has choice of: (a) 15 days of no driving privileges and a limited license for remaining 90-day period; OR (b) full driving privileges for 90-day period with use of ignition interlock
- 90 days of no driving privileges; driver has choice of: (a) 15 days of no driving privileges and a limited license for remaining 90-day period; OR (b) full driving privileges for 90-day period with use of ignition interlock
- 1 year of no driving privileges OR 1 year of an ignition interlock restricted driver's license; license plates impounded; vehicle forfeited
- 1 year of no driving privileges; driver has choice of: (a) 15 days of no driving privileges and a limited license for remainder of the year; OR (b) full driving privileges for teh year with use of ignition interlock
Recent Wilson Law Firm DWI Case Victories
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Gross Misdemeanor DWI Charge Dismissed | Hennepin County | 11/15/2012
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Gross Misdmeanor DWI Charge and Test Refusal Charge Dismissed | Goodhue County | 08/03/2012
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Gross Misdemeanor DWI Charge Dismissed | Hennepin County | 05/18/2012
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Wilson Law Firm DWI Client Testimonials
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"I highly recommend your services, you performed at a highly professional level in every facet of my case . . . "
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" Mr. Wilson . . . provided a steady and powerful voice that ultimately saw my criminal charge dismissed with prejudice . . ."
Read More > > >
Free DWI Case Consultation
- Minneapolis and St. Paul DWI Defense attorney Thomas A. Wilson provides a free 30 minute case consultation by phone or at his office by appointment.
- If you have been arrested, charged, or are under investigation for a DWI, DUI or BWI, please feel free to contact Mr. Wilson to discuss your situation.
- During the free consultation Mr. Wilson can analyze the issues in your case, answer questions, and discuss possible options going forward. Your consultation with Mr. Wilson is absolutely free and what you discuss is kept strictly confidential.
Phone: 763-222-6915
Email: contact@wilsoncriminaldefense.com
Contact Form
Additional Minnesota DWI/DUI & BWI Information and Resources
Wilson Law Firm DWI Blog articles
Minnesota DWI Basics: Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFST)
Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFST) are typically given when an police officer has reasonable articulable suspicion that a driver has violated Minnesota DWI law. The failure of one or more of the SFSTs can be used by an police officer to establish probable cause to make a valid DWI arrest. So what exactly are the Standard Field Sobriety Tests? The …
Read MoreDWI Traffic Stops in Minnesota: Legal vs. Illegal Police Conduct
DWI arrests in Minnesota frequently begin with a traffic stop made by a police officer or state patrol trooper. After the stop there is generally a sequence of actions taken by the officer if they suspect the driver has violated Minnesota DWI law. There are of course, legal and illegal (constitutional and unconstitutional) ways of both initiating a traffic stop and …
Read MoreMinnesota DWI/DUI, BWI, and Related Statutes
- Driving While Impaired - Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.20
- First-Degree Driving While Impaired - Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.24
- Second-Degree Driving While Impaired - Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.25
- Third-Degree Driving While Impaired - Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.26
- Fourth-Degree Driving While Impaired - Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.27
- First-Time DWI Violater; Off-Road Vehicle or Boat - Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.07
- Underage Drinking and Driving - Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.33
- Open Bottle Law - Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.35
Minnesota Implied Consent Statute and DWI Administrative Sanctions Statutes
- Chemical Tests for Intoxication - Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.51
- Test Refusal or Failure; License Revocation - Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.52
- Administrative and Judicial Review of License Revocation - Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.53
- DWI Convictions, Adjudications; Administrative Penalties - Minn.Stat. Sec. 169A.54
- License Revocation Termination; License Reinstatement - Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.55
- Administrative Impoundment of Plates - Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.60
- Vehicle Forfeiture - Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.63