The moment you face a DWI charge, the clock starts ticking on your driving privileges. In Minnesota, this usually means automatic license suspension.
Upon your arrest, law enforcement will take your driver’s license. They will provide you with a temporary license valid for one week. Once this brief period ends, you will be without a license.
Swift and severe impact on driving privileges
The length of your license suspension typically depends on these factors:
- Prior DWI offenses: If you have previous DWI convictions within the past 10 years, the penalties for a new DWI charge increase significantly.
- Aggravating factors: Certain circumstances surrounding your arrest, such as causing an accident, having a child in the car or having an extremely high blood alcohol content (BAC), can lead to a longer suspension period.
- Chemical test refusal: Refusing a breath, blood or urine test when requested by an officer carries consequences that are often more severe than if you had submitted to testing.
For a first-time DWI offense with no aggravating factors, you may encounter a 90-day license suspension. Still, you might qualify for a limited license as long as you agree to use an ignition interlock device.
A first DWI offense with aggravating factors, a second offense or a chemical test refusal will generally result in a license suspension of at least one year. If you receive a third DWI within a 10-year period, Minnesota will cancel your driver’s license entirely.
Your driving rights are worth fighting for
The impact of losing the ability to drive for an unknown period can be incredibly stressful. If you cannot commute, you may contend with a reduced income or lose your job altogether. You may also find it challenging to attend medical appointments, run errands and care for children and elderly relatives.
Under certain circumstances, you can minimize the length of your license suspension. You have a 60-day window to dispute the suspension. To increase your chance of getting your driving privileges back, make sure to speak with a criminal defense attorney in Minnesota immediately.
