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(763) 422-8664

Brooklyn Park DUI and Traffic Violations Attorney
Phone: (763) 422-8664

Located in Brooklyn Park, DUI and traffic violations attorney Scott Anderson has over 20 years of experience defending clients charged with drunk driving or other traffic offense. He has successfully defended clients in virtually every county in the Twin Cities area, including Hennepin, Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright Counties.

Experienced Brooklyn Park DUI Attorney

Drunk driving is referred to as DUI (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol) in Minnesota. However, it is also known as DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) by many residents and transients.

At Anderson Law Office, Scott L. Anderson has successfully protected the rights of those accused of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driving While intoxicated (DWI) since 1986. Serving Minneapolis and St. Paul and the surrounding metro area (including Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Champlin, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Blaine), he has successfully handled approximately 2,000 cases.

While the criminal process changes slightly in every county, and each case requires an independent analysis, the following general information about Minnesota DUI (sometimes referred to drunk driving or DWI) should be helpful to give you a basic understanding of the potential consequences of a DUI conviction.

What happens when I am charged with a DUI or DWI?

When you are charged with a DUI/DWI in the state of Minnesota two things happen. First, you are required to appear in criminal court in the county the offense occurred. Second, your driver's license is revoked until you do so. You should contact Scott L. Anderson before your first appearance to discuss your options and possible defenses.

How is the seriousness of the DUI or DWI charge determined?

Your blood, urine, or breath alcohol levels will determine the seriousness of the charge (i.e. 1st degree, 2nd degree, etc.). Your prior history of drinking offenses and other factors can also aggravate the seriousness of the offense. Failure to test (refusal) can also affect the level of the charge.

What are the degrees of DUI or DWI offenses, and what are the possible penalties?

There are three levels of severity: Misdemeanor, Gross Misdemeanor, and Felony.

If it is your first offense, usually you will be charged with a 4th Degree DUI which has a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000.00 fine. It is possible to be charged with a 3rd Degree or Gross Misdemeanor offense on your first incident. The most common ways to be charged with a Gross Misdemeanor on your first incident is to refuse the test, have an alcohol test of .20 or above, have a child in the car, or drive with an alcohol concentration of .10 or more with railroad tracks involved.

A 3rd Degree offense has a maximum sentence of 1 year in jail and/or a $3.000.00 fine. Usually you are charged with a 3rd Degree offense if you have had another DUI within 10 years, or your license was revoked due to a test of .10 or more within 10 years of the new offense.

A 2nd Degree offense has the same maximum sentence as a 3rd Degree offense, but usually the consequences are more severe with regards to the sentence by the judge or the conditions placed upon you by the probation department and the Department of Public Safety with regards to your license. Your vehicle is also subject to forfeiture with a 2nd and 1st degree offense.

Felony offenses are now a reality. They are 1st Degree DUI offenses. A person will be charged with a Felony offense if they have 3 prior DUIs or revocations of their license for alcohol within 10 years. Again, the status can be enhanced quicker than 4 in 10 years if there are aggravating circumstances like testing over .20, not having a valid driver's license, having children in the car, etc.

The number of prior offenses and the facts in the present case will determine how long your license will be revoked, when you are eligible for a limited license (commonly referred to as a work permit), and what steps will be necessary to get your driver's license reinstated.

The Implied Consent Revocation process which affects your license and the criminal case are totally independent of one another. To challenge your license revocation, you need to start a lawsuit against the State of Minnesota to attempt to have your privileges given back to you. It is critical to have this issue examined immediately because you only have 30 days from the date of the stop to challenge this issue or it will be forever lost and waived.

Hennepin County Traffic Violations Lawyer

In addition to DUI charges, Mr. Anderson also assists clients throughout the Brooklyn Park area with traffic violations, including reckless driving, speeding, failing to yield, failing to stop, improper use of car pool lanes, and other moving violations that could mean points, higher insurance rates, and potentially jeopardizing your driving privileges.

Contact a Brooklyn Park-Hennepin County DUI and Traffic Violations Lawyer

For a FREE confidential consultation and case evaluation to obtain additional information about Minnesota DUI laws, or to discuss your DUI-DWI charges with an experienced Brooklyn Park DUI attorney, please call Scott Anderson at (763) 422-8664, e-mail him, or fill out the intake form on the Contact Us page. When your freedom is at stake; experience matters.

Helping Minnesotans Since 1986

Anderson Law Office
Brooklyn Park DUI and Auto Accident Attorney
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Phone: (763) 422-8664
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Brooklyn Park attorney Scott Anderson represents auto accident victims throughout the Twin Cities, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Champlin, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Blaine. As a DUI lawyer, Mr. Anderson also defends clients throughout Hennepin County, Ramsey County, and Anoka County charged with drunk driving or other traffic offenses.