What does DWI stand for in Minnesota?

Drinking and driving can be very dangerous, not only for you but also for others.and therefore it is a serious offense in the eyes of the law. DWI or Driving while Intoxicated has a few different meanings and connotations, depending on the state you live in. One thing is for sure, when asked what does DWI stand for, it means being caught with a certain percentage of alcohol in your blood that can affect your life irrevocably.

What does DWI stand for in Minnesota may be slightly different to other states, being more severe, Drinking while Intoxicated has some serious consequences, some so bad, you could find yourself without a job.

The possible consequences of being charged with a DWI

DWI possibly stands for a loss of employment

For starters, with a DWI, you can lose your license. What does DWI stand for then if you lose your license? It can be particularly devastating if you use your car for work.

Imagine if you drive a delivery vehicle for your work and your commercial driver’s license is suspended, it means you could in all likelihood, lose your job.

In any case, your license can be suspended if you refuse a breath or blood test. Once the suspension is over, you have to apply to get your license reinstated. It is important to know that there are no exceptions to disqualification. This means that you can’t get some kind of provisional license.

DWI stands for possible tragedy

While the term DUI and DWI are used interchangeably, there is a small difference between DUI and DWI. What does DWI stand for? DWI is a charge against someone driving with a blood alcohol concentration that is more than 0.08.

When you have too much alcohol in the bloodstream, everything such as your heart rate and your breathing begins to slow down. You battle with mental confusion, an urge to vomit, loss of consciousness and dulled responses and all this while you are trying to drive a car on a busy highway.

Anyone who consumes too much alcohol is in danger of causing the death of somebody else on the roads, and in a twinkling of an eye, your entire life can be turned into the most terrible nightmare for you. Even if there are survivors, you or other people involved in the accident can be left with permanent brain damage.

DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence which means the person was driving a motor vehicle while not having their full wits about them. The difference with a DUI when compared to a DWI is that it does not require the driver to have a specific level of alcohol in their blood.

It is far easier for a prosecutor to prove DWI because they just need to show that the driver was over the legal limit – not that they were actually showing signs of impairment while driving.

In Minnesota, if you are caught for the first time with a DWI, there will be punishment in the form of a monetary fine in the region of $1 000 as well as a jail sentence of 90 days.

Your license can also be revoked. The court can also add in other penalties such as community service complete with random drug tests being performed.

DWI stands for a lot of expense for you

What does DWI stand for in Minnesota and how much will it all cost? Nothing is set in stone when it comes to having an exact estimate of how much a DUI or DWI in Minnesota will cost.

One thing is sure though – if you are convicted of driving while intoxicated, you are going to face many costs, and some of these costs are not once-off. Some of them are ongoing for a while and will be with you even after the trial is over.

This makes sense because everyone’s case is different and some people are onto their first DWI while others have other previous DWI offenses.

Then the costs can be much more. However, a DWI in Minnesota generally costs about $10,000. You will also need to pay probation costs, impound fees, chemical assessments and a reinstatement fee for your driver’s license.

When you are pulled over in St Paul Minnesota for DWI, it could be the start of a host of troubles for you. The only way you can hope to make the rough road ahead a little smoother is to contact a reputable DWI lawyer in Minnesota right away.