A charge of Drunk Driving in the State of Minnesota is not to be taken lightly. You could be looking at the burden of court appearances, a hit to your driving record, BIG fines and the possibility of jail.
If you or someone you love has caught a charge --- you should consider contacting an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney to get the information you need. Driving under the influence is a serious criminal charge that may have ramifications on your future employment, housing and even education choices.
How quickly do I need to consult an attorney if I’ve been charged with Driving Under the Influence?
The sooner that you have an attorney running through the specifics of your case, the better they will be able to defend your legal rights and interests! The answer is as soon as possible. With DWI charges, there are multiple variables to consider as you craft your legal defense.
Is this your first DUI charge or have you been arrested for DWI previously?
Was anyone injured or was property damaged by your actions?
What was your Blood Alcohol Content at the time of arrest?
Is your charge related to alcohol or another substance?
What other charges were associated with your arrest for driving under the influence?
Know Your Rights
Knowing your rights is one of the most important steps toward having a fair trial.
Did you know that you are allowed to record the entire exchange if you are being stopped, without having to ask the officer? If you have a smartphone, you can do this pretty easily once you’ve been stopped. Having this record can only help you.
Did you know that law enforcement could still arrest you even if your breath sample is 0.000? The consequence for refusing to provide a breath sample is a 12-month driver’s license suspension as opposed to a 6-month suspension if you cooperate and provide a breath sample.
Did you know that the State of Minnesota will try to use whatever you do in the breath sample phase against you whether you provide a breath sample or not?
Don’t be caught off-guard with your future – consult an attorney immediately to help solidify your defense against this criminal charge. Working with the Rolloff Law Office can ensure that none of your rights are ignored. If you’re being charged with driving under the influence in the State of Minnesota, contact us today: (612) 234-1165
I'm sure that almost ANY parent would agree that --- you want to do what is best for your kids. You want to protect them, believe the best of them, and hope to ensure a future for them that is better than your own - right? Well, if your son or daughter is caught up in a mess with the courts the thing you can do is to turn the case over to a legal professional.
Seriously, seeking to handle a juvenile arrest without the advice of an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney can often do more harm than good.
For example, if your child was present (but not directly involved) while a criminal act was being committed, did you know that he or she can potentially be charged with a crime? Yep --- aiding and abetting.. and he/she can potentially face serious and lasting criminal penalties - just like the major players in the offense. So, if your child admits to being present for the crime, even while trying to point out that he or she didn't take part, they may actually be confessing to aiding and abetting. Similarly, any information that you give the police about your child can be used to build a case against your child, even if your intent was to defend him or her.
Be Careful
Law enforcement knows how to interrogate adult offender --- just imagine what they do with children. Trust me - the right questions can compel even an innocent person to make an incriminating statement. This is why it is so important to work with a juvenile defense attorney as quickly as possible, and to make sure that a professional is present during any questioning. A polite but strong statement that you and your child have nothing to say until a lawyer is present can make all the difference in your child's case.
At the Rolloff Law Office, I provide honest answers and straight talk. Let me put my experience as a former prosecutor to work for you - the well-intentioned parent who (and I've seen it time and time again) could accidently make a bad situation worse by trying to fix things on their own. Whether you believe your son or daughter has done something wrong or not, the first thing you should do when your child is arrested is talk to a lawyer - before telling your child to talk to the police. Because, a juvenile criminal conviction can have permanent consequences.
For more information contact my office, today, at (612) 234-1165 to schedule a free initial consultation and case review to discuss your child's specific situation.
Late last year, MPR reported that Minnesota Lynx player Seimone Augustus was stopped for having an air freshener hanging from her rear-view mirror.Now, technically, this is against the law. And as a result, the police can conduct a stop for any violation of the traffic laws, "however insignificant."State v. George, 557 N.W.2d 575, 578 (Minn. 1997).As a practical matter, the police often use minor technical violations as a reason to stop a person in the hopes of getting information or evidence relating to a more serious matter.
As a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney, I can tell you that tiny infractions like this turn out to be BIG problems. Here are some (IMHO) helpful suggestions if you're stopped by law enforcement:
- Be polite and respectful;
- Do provide your identification and proof of insurance, if asked; and
- Understand that you do not have to answer incriminating questions or make statements admitting that you broke the law.
If you have been stopped and issued a citation or charged with a crime, please contact the Rolloff Law Office so we can discuss how we can help. Call today: (612) 234-1165.
