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BRAD MATHIS LAW OFFICE 
Home      DWI FAQs
 
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM PULLED OVER AND I HAVE BEEN DRINKING ALCOHOL?
 
First of all, do not drink and drive.  If you have found yourself in the position, however, that you have been drinking and you have been pulled over:
 
      **  Be respectful to the police officer.
         **  Give the police officer your driver's license and proof of insurance.
         **  Do not admit to anything.
         **  Politely decline to answer any questions.
         **  Politely decline to perform any field sobriety tests.
         **  Ask to speak with a lawyer...call the lawyer before you test at the police station.
 
SHOULD I HIRE AN ATTORNEY?
 
Yes.  Whenever you are faced with jail or revocation of your driving privileges, you should consult with an experienced DWI attorney.  Having an experienced DWI attorney analyze all of the evidence against you ensures that your rights have been protected.  YOU DO HAVE RIGHTS.  Contesting your case and taking proactive steps increases your chances of having the case dismissed or at least reduced.  Otherwise, by simply pleading guilty without an attorney, you are at the mercy of the prosecutor.  Many times, guilt is not the issue;  the issue is whether or not you can beat or weaken the state's case on a technicality and whether you have properly demonstrated that you will challenge your case.
 
WHAT ARE THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CONSEQUENCES OF A DWI?
 
Below is a helpful chart detailing the consequences of a DWI organized by the number convictions within a ten year period:
 
 
DWI 1ST OFFENSE 
 
 
 
BAC
ARREST 
CRIMINAL PENALTIES 
DRIVER'S LICENSE SANCTIONS 
Under 0.20 
Misdemeanor 
90 days in jail and/or $1,000 fine 
90 day license revocation
30 day if plead guilty to DWI 
0.20 or over 
Gross misdemeanor
License plates impounded
Jail and maximum bail or electronic monitoring 
1 year in jail and/or $3,000 fine 
180 day license revocation 
Child in vehicle and
under 0.20 
Gross misdemeanor
License plates impounded 
1 year in jail and/or $3,000 fine 
90 day license revocation 
Child in vehicle and
0.20 or over 
Gross misdemeanor
Vehicle forfeited and plates impounded
Jail until first court appearance 
1 year in jail and/or $3,000 fine 
180 day license revocation 
Refused test 
Gross misdemeanor
License plates impounded 
1 year in jail and/or $3,000 fine 
1 year license plate impoundment
30 day if plead guilty to DWI, or
90 day if plead guilty to refusal 
 
 
 
 
DWI 2ND OFFENSE 
 
 
 
BAC 
ARREST
CRMINAL PENALTIES 
DRIVER'S LICENSE SANCTIONS 
Under 0.20 
Gross misdemeanor
License plates impounded 
1 year in jail and/or $3,000 fine 
180 day license revocation
Notice that additional offense will
result in license cancellation 
0.20 or over 
Gross misdemeanor
Vehicle forfeited and plates impounded 
1 year in jail and/or $3,000 fine 
1 year license revocation
Notice that additional offense will
result in license cancellation 
Any level
 
Child in vehicle 
Gross misdemeanor
Vehicle forfeited and plates impounded
Jail and maximum bail or electronic monitoring 
1 year in jail and/or $3,000 fine 
1 year license revocation
Notice that additional offense will
result in license cancellation 
Refused test 
Gross misdemeanor 
Vehicle forfeited and plates impounded
1 year in jail and/or $3,000 fine 
1 year license revocation
Notice that additional offense will
result in license cancellation 
 
 
 
 
DWI 3RD OFFENSE 
 
 
 
Any level and/or
Refused test 
Gross misdemeanor
Vehicle forfeited and plates impounded
Jail and maximum bail or electronic monitoring 
1 year in jail and/or $3,000 fine 
1 year minimum loss of license
License cancelled
Treatment and rehabilitation
(minimum 1 - year abstinence)
Lifetime abstinence required
after reinstatement 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BRAD MATHIS LAW OFFICE
2915 Wayzata Boulevard Minneapolis, Minnesota 55405
 

Telephone Answered 24 Hours

(612) 823-9466
                        
 Fax (612) 341-9079
Email brad@bradmathislaw.com