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
So ... your case has been resolved .... and, as part of the settlement, you've been placed on probation. Things were going good ... and then you slipped --- whether it was a bad UA or maybe a new criminal charge ... now you're facing a probation violation. Now what?
Believe it or not Minnesota has some fairly generous sentencing conditions and first (heck, even second) time probation offenders can often have most or all of their jail time suspended - without going to prison - under certain conditions. Yes, Virginia --- there are 2nd and 3rd chances ... but, you have to earn the, This is where and experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney can be a good resource.
What Should You Do?
Probation violations can come into being fast (and easily.) So, if there is talk - from your agent - that a violation is coming, you should be prepared to act as jail can happen. If you’re on probation, here are some very concrete steps you can take to avoid probation violations, or empower an attorney to beat a probation violation if one is filed. These steps can mean the difference between freedom and jail.
1. Maintain Your Own Record
One of the biggest problems Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyers face when helping someone with a probation violation is a lack of memory and the absence of a timeline. So ... you are best served by keeping track of every call, letter and contact you have with your agent. One thing you might want to consider ... get your agent's email address and communicate that way. Then, keep those emails.
2. Don't Disappear
The easiest way to avoid problems - aside from following the court's orders to a "T" is to (especially is there is an "issue") keep in contact with your agent.Believe it or not, the biggest problem have while on probation ... it is not the occasional "slip," instead ... it is failing to communicate with your minder. DO that ... and HUGE problems can be avoided. TIP: The probation officer has no obligation to track you down. You should immediately inform your probation officer IN WRITING of your new address or phone number.
If you have not heard from your probation officer in a while, don’t assume everything is fine. Be proactive. Contact them out of the blue at least once a month if you haven’t heard from them and ask whether there is anything they need from you. Write it down that you contacted them, and what their response is if any. No news is not always good news. If they can’t find you, they can violate your probation for lack of contact.
Do not miss meetings with your probation officer. You should make meetings with your probation officer an absolute priority, as much as getting to work on time or picking you kids up from school. Missed meetings can result in a violation. If you’re in jail, you can’t work, and you can’t parent. Put your meeting dates into your calendar on your phone and set alarms on it days in advance. Alternatively, write them down on your wall calendar or in a day planner.
3. Know Your Drugs.
Many medications can result in dirty UAs ... so, especially if this is the result of a valid prescribed drug that you are on ... more than you word, your agent is going to want to see proof. Tip: Keep information about your medications.
4. Save a Lawyer's Number on Your Phone
You are not required to admit to your agent that you may have violated your probation. If you even think you’re going to face a violation, call an experienced lawyer before it’s even filed or brought up at a meeting --- and let that person do the talking for you. A good lawyer should be able to give at least preliminary advice for free, but you should be prepared and save money up for the possible need to hire one if you face a probation violation.
Don’t take too many chances, this is your liberty I'm talking about. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Rolloff Law Office for a FREE CONSULTATION: (612) 234-1165
