There are four different categories of drunk driving crimes:

• First Degree Felony DWI
• Second Degree Gross Misdemeanor DWI
• Third Degree Misdemeanor DWI
• Fourth Degree Misdemeanor DWI

Which category your charge falls depends on several factors. First, the number of prior offenses you’ve had within the previous 10 years comes into play. Second, the charge can be more serious if there are any aggravating factors present. It does not matter if the offense is your first or your third, a certain number of aggravating factors can lead to a felony when the offense would otherwise be a misdemeanor.

DWI Aggravating Factors

Aggravating factors include:

• A qualified impaired driving incident within the 10 years preceding the current incident. This can include Snowmobiling while Intoxicated (SWI), Boating while Intoxicated (BWI) or another such offense.
• Having an alcohol concentration in excess of .20 at the time of the incident or within two hours following.
• Having a child under the age of 16 in the vehicle or more than 36 months younger than the driver.

Field sobriety testing may also be conducted to determine intoxication. This can include such acts as walking a straight line, taking a breathalyzer test, standing on one foot, saying the alphabet backwards, and any other test requested. You do have the right to refuse testing, but when you acquire your Minnesota driver’s license, you are basically giving permission for field sobriety tests to be conducted if you are suspected of DWI. If you refuse, you can lose that license and a judge can also use that refusal to make the charge against you even more severe. You will eventually have to submit to urine or blood testing.

Drunk Driving Penalties

As it stands, the penalties can range from hefty fines, jail time, license suspension or total revocation of your license, and alcohol education courses. Jail time can be as long as three years and fines as low as $1,000 or as high as $14,000. That is if there are not a variety of other offenses to accompany the original DWI offense. Sometimes there can be a variety of charges surrounding the same offense, which can worsen the penalties.

DUI Lawyer Eden Prairie

When you have a skilled DWI defense lawyer by your side, you are able to better stand up for yourself in court. It is quite possible to have part, if not all, of the charges dismissed or the penalties reduced with the right help. Call the Law Firm of Martin S. Azarian at 952-975-0663 for your free initial telephone consultation. Make sure you have a dedicated and aggressive criminal defense attorney by your side so that your case can reach the best conclusion.

What Makes Domestic Assault “Domestic?”

If there is a domestic relationship between the accuser and the accused, then the assault is considered “domestic.” There are various relationships that qualify as domestic relationships that include: roommates, family member living under the same roof, ex spouse, friend living under the same roof, and domestic partners.

In Minnesota, a 5th Degree Domestic Assault is considered a Misdemeanor Domestic Assault. Such things as child endangerment, child neglect, criminal sexual conducts, and even interference in an emergency call can fall under domestic violence, as do felony charges as well.

However, there are times in which a domestic assault charge may be backed up by self-defense, which is another reason why it is necessary to have adequate defense in the courtroom because an attorney can bring about evidence and reasoning that supports a self-defense claim.

Consequences of Conviction

The consequences for domestic assault in Minnesota can be quite severe. Besides the common penalties of prison or jail, there is also a lifetime criminal record to have to contend with. Being accused can be damaging in itself, but a conviction has much worse consequences. Here are some of the usually unknown consequences that can be faced:

• Unable to take advantage of certain job opportunities, loss of current job, and an overall reduction in annual income
• Loss or professional licenses
• Increase of insurance premiums
• Damage to credit
• Deportation if a non-citizen
• Loss of the right to bear arms
• A criminal record that can result in not being able to rent property and can prevent other opportunities

Domestic Assault Lawyer Eden Prairie

If you’re accused of domestic assault, you can be defended in the following areas:

• Domestic assault that includes First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Degree assault
• Order for Protection (OFP) violations
• False imprisonment and kidnapping claims
• Malicious punishment of a child
• And much more

To have the proper representation for you, contact the Law Firm of Martin S. Azarian to receive the aggressive representation that you need. You need someone who will listen to you, study your case, and dedicate the time needed for your case. All you have to do is call 952-975-0663 for your free initial telephone consultation and work toward possible dismissal of the charges or reduction in the penalties.