Alcohol

Alcohol-Related DWI

ALCOHOL RELATED DWI'S IN MINNESOTA

The vast majority of DWI arrests in Minnesota happen due to alcohol. Although DWI arrests due to use of street drugs like heroin or methamphetamine are on the rise, as are DWI's due to the misuse of prescription drugs, alcohol related offenses are the most common. 

In Minnesota, the law treats blood, urine, and breath tests interchangably, even though blood tests are far more accurate than breath tests (and urine tests are rejected in pretty much every state other than Minnesota). While its fairly easy to decide if you are impaired or not, its much harder to figure out if you are over the legal limit. 

HOW MANY DRINKS CAN I HAVE BEFORE I AM OVER THE LEGAL LIMIT?

There are a LOT of factors that go into a person's alcohol concentration. It's not a simple equation where you can compare the amount of drinks over a period of time compared to the person weight. Those three things matter, but you also need to consider the contents of the stomach (food), the rate of consumption (slamming or sipping), medical concerns/illnesses, and other factors. But roughly speaking, one "drink" an hour should keep you safe to drive. 

ALCOHOL AFFECTS EVERYONE DIFFERENTLY

A fifteen year old girl will act dramatically different after two beers than a 60 year old Navy veteran. However, the State will often trot out this chart to show how they "expect" someone to act at a certain alcohol concentration.

IF YOU WANT TO DRIVE RESPONSIBLY, KNOW WHAT ONE DRINK ACTUALLY MEANS

All of these charts and formula operate under the assumption that you are having standard "drinks." Know that if the bartender burns your gin and tonic, you're drinking tall boys, or that you're using a measuring cup as a shot glass, that these charts won't even come close to being accurate. 

AVOIDING DWI PENALTIES

Many of our clients felt okay driving, but didn't realize that they were over the legal limit. Even if you are not a danger on the roads (not impaired) you can still be found guilty because of your alcohol concentration (legally intoxicated). By both avoiding the criminal penalties f DWI conviction, and avoiding the license consequences, our goal is to put your life in the same place it was in the day before you were arrested.