Legal Defense When Charged With DWI

Abedi Hanson Sletten PLLC defends drivers charged with DWI offenses in St Cloud and Apple Valley and throughout Minnesota.

A DWI arrest in St Cloud, Apple Valley, or anywhere in Minnesota starts with a traffic stop, a failed field sobriety test or breath test, and a trip to jail. You are given a notice of license revocation on the spot, and the criminal charge follows within days. Minnesota law imposes both criminal penalties and administrative license consequences, and the two proceedings run on separate tracks with different deadlines. Missing the deadline to challenge the license revocation means losing your driving privileges even if the criminal charge is later dismissed.

Abedi Hanson Sletten PLLC defends drivers charged with DWI across Minnesota. The firm reviews the traffic stop, the testing procedures, and the evidence to identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case. Defense work includes challenging the legality of the stop, the accuracy of breath or blood tests, and the officer's observations. The firm handles both the implied consent hearing and the criminal case with attention to license implications and criminal penalties.

If you have been charged with DWI in St Cloud, Apple Valley, or elsewhere in Minnesota, contact Abedi Hanson Sletten PLLC to discuss the charges, the deadlines, and the defense options available in your case.

How DWI Cases Are Challenged in Minnesota

DWI defense begins with requesting the squad car video, the breath test records, and the police reports that document the stop and arrest. Your attorney reviews whether the officer had reasonable suspicion to stop your vehicle, probable cause to arrest you, and whether the testing procedures followed state requirements. In St Cloud, Apple Valley, and throughout Minnesota, breath tests must be administered by certified operators using calibrated machines, and any deviation from protocol can be grounds to exclude the results.

After reviewing the evidence, you will see your attorney file challenges to the stop, the arrest, or the test results. Some cases involve negotiating a reduced charge such as careless driving, while others proceed to trial where the prosecution must prove you were impaired or over the legal limit. The outcome depends on the strength of the evidence, your prior DWI history, and whether your attorney can successfully challenge the procedures used during the arrest.

DWI charges in Minnesota carry mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenses, and aggravating factors such as a high test result or a child in the vehicle increase the penalties. The firm represents clients statewide and coordinates with local courts to manage both the criminal case and the implied consent proceeding. Effective defense requires acting quickly to preserve evidence and meet deadlines that cannot be extended.

DWI charges raise questions about license revocation, penalties, and whether the test results can be challenged. These answers address the concerns that come up most often after an arrest.

You are not alone in wondering what comes next

The implied consent hearing is a separate civil proceeding where you challenge the license revocation that was issued after your arrest. You must request the hearing within 30 days or the revocation becomes final.
What is the implied consent hearing?
The prosecution must prove you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or that your blood alcohol concentration was 0.08 or higher. They use breath or blood test results, field sobriety tests, and the officer's observations of your behavior and driving.
How does the prosecution prove a DWI charge?
Refusing the test is a separate crime in Minnesota and results in an automatic longer license revocation. However, the refusal also means the prosecution has less evidence to prove the DWI charge, which can affect the case strategy.
What happens if I refused the breath test?
Charges get reduced when the evidence is weak, the stop was illegal, or the testing procedures were flawed. Your attorney negotiates with the prosecutor to resolve the case without a trial if a reduction is in your interest.
Why do some DWI charges get reduced?
A first DWI conviction in Minnesota can result in up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, license revocation, and mandatory alcohol education. The penalties increase if aggravating factors such as a high test result or a child passenger are present.
What are the penalties for a first DWI conviction?

DWI charges carry immediate license consequences and long-term criminal penalties that affect your driving privileges, your insurance rates, and your record. Abedi Hanson Sletten PLLC provides DWI defense representation throughout Minnesota, including cases originating in St Cloud and Apple Valley. Reach out to discuss your case and the defense strategy that applies to your situation.