St. Louis Park Felony DUI Lawyer

Minnesota takes drunk driving seriously and gives the court reasonably broad authority to impose harsh criminal and administrative sanctions against anyone convicted of “driving under the influence” (DUI) or “driving while impaired (DWI).

That said, most DUI and DWI offenses defined in the Minnesota Statutes are classified as misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors instead of felonies—with a few notable exceptions.

If you are facing a DUI or DWI charge that is being prosecuted as a felony, getting help from a seasoned St. Louis Park felony DUI lawyer should be your number one priority. A skilled DUI defense attorney may be your best chance at contesting your allegations effectively. Call our law office today to find out more.

When Are Repeat DUI Offenses Treated as Felonies?

When someone is convicted of DUI or DWI in Minnesota for the first time, their offense is usually classified as a misdemeanor, carrying maximum penalties of 90 days in jail, $1,000 in fines, and a 90-day driver’s license suspension.

However, repeat offenders—as well as first-time offenders who are pulled over with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of at least 0.16 or have a child in the car with them—will have their offenses elevated to gross misdemeanors. This carries up to a year of jail term, a $3,000 fine, and increasingly severe administrative sanctions like license cancellation, mandatory ignition interlock device (IID) installation, and even license plate or vehicle impoundment.

If someone is convicted of DUI or DWI a fourth or subsequent time within a continuous 10-year period, their offense will be prosecuted as a felony carrying maximum criminal sanctions of seven years in state prison and $14,000 in fines. 

Additional administrative penalties for this type of conviction include driver’s license cancellation, IID installation for a minimum of four to six years, license plate impoundment, and personal vehicle forfeiture. A St. Louis Park felony DUI attorney could further explain these penalties during an initial consultation.

Felony DUI as a First-Time Offender

There are certain circumstances under which a first-time DUI or DWI offender can potentially have their offense prosecuted as a felony. Someone may be prosecuted for felony DUI if they get into a traffic collision while driving drunk and cause serious harm to another person involved. Specific outcomes allow for the following maximum sanctions:

• Substantial bodily harm results in three years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and mandatory and immediate two-year license revocation
• Great bodily harm or injury to an unborn child leads to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and mandatory and immediate six-year license revocation
• Fatal injury convictions can result in 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, and mandatory and immediate 10-year license revocation
• Manslaughter or death to an unborn child leads to 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, and mandatory and immediate 15-year license revocation

A skilled lawyer could help construct an effective defense strategy against felony DUI offenses in St. Louis Park.

Contact a St. Louis Park Felony DUI Attorney for Legal Assistance

Even if you have no prior criminal record, a single felony conviction can permanently alter your life and prevent you from certain civil rights and privileges. 

A felony DUI charge is always worth taking seriously and fighting against with the support of a capable legal professional. Call today to discuss your options with a St. Louis Park felony DUI lawyer.