If you have been arrested and charged with DWI in Minnesota, you need to be ready to defend yourself. The best way for you to stand up for your rights in court is to secure a skilled and experienced attorney who can handle every aspect of your case for you. A DWI may seem like something that you can get past quickly, but the reality is that punishments for these convictions are often harsh and can have long-lasting consequences, even for first-time offenders. Here, we’ll discuss Minnesota’s DWI penalties, as well as how long a DWI will stay on your record.
Facing a DWI charge can be daunting, but you don’t have to navigate the legal system alone. If you’re concerned about the long-term consequences of a DWI conviction on your record, it’s crucial to seek legal assistance from experienced professionals who understand Minnesota’s laws and expungement process. At Knutson + Casey, our dedicated team of expungement lawyers is here to guide you through every step of the expungement process. Let us help you protect your future and move forward with confidence.
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In Minnesota, DWI convictions will show up in two places: your criminal record and your driving record. A DWI on your criminal record can be seen by prospective employers as well as potential housing providers when they conduct background checks. This could have significant ramifications on your employment or living situation.
A DWI will also appear on your driving record. The good news is that most employers will not look at this record unless you are applying for a job that requires you to operate a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, a DWI stays on your driving record forever.
A criminal record of a DWI can be expunged. As of 2015, Minnesota law allows those convicted of petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors, or gross misdemeanors to have their charges expunged from their criminal record.
First-time DWI offenders will typically face misdemeanor charges. After a conviction, an expungement can be considered, but various steps must be taken first.
First, the entire sentence will need to be completed. This will include any jail time, probation time, requirements for an ignition interlock device, alcohol classes, etc. Any fines associated with the DWI offense will need to be paid. So long as you have not committed any other crimes within a two-year timespan following the DWI offense, you will be able to file for an expungement. However, this process will take some time to complete, and it will cost you a little bit of money to do so. Having a skilled Minnesota DWI attorney at your side helps ensure the best outcome.
Unlike the expungement process for a criminal DWI charge, your DWI will always show up on your driving record. This is unfortunate, but the good news is that most employers, schools, and housing authorities will not look at your record.
According to Minnesota state law, a DWI is also an enhancing charge. This means that the more DWI convictions a person has on their record, the worse the punishments will be for each prior DWI conviction and offense. For example, if you were convicted of DWI in 2018 and then received another DWI conviction in 2021, you will face much harsher penalties for the second DUI, even if the first was expunged from your criminal record.
When enhancing penalties for a DWI, the state will look at your record. If a DWI charge is recorded, prosecutors will increase the penalties accordingly. However, enhancing penalties do have a time limit. If a person is convicted of DWI and then does not get another DWI until ten years later, they will not face any enhancing penalties.
If you or somebody you care about has questions about how to get DWI offenses expunged after getting arrested and convicted for driving under the influence from a criminal record, you need to seek assistance from an attorney to help you through this. At Knutson+Casey, our Mankato expungement lawyers have a reputation for success when it comes to helping clients get convictions for DWI expunged from their records and handling DWI cases. Our team will handle every aspect of the expungement process for you so you can focus on moving forward with your life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation through our contact form or by calling (507) 344-8888.