Minnesota Lawyer Blogs
Home – Practice Areas – Blogs – DWI During the Holidays
DWIs or DUIs over the Holiday Season
Impaired driving (DWI/DUI) arrests tend to spike around the holidays, and based on this year’s Thanksgiving weekend statistics, 2018 is going to be no different. This year, there were 10 fewer arrests over the weekend in Minnesota, compared to the same period in 2017. However, the 480 DWI arrests between Wednesday evening and Monday morning still represent a greater number of Thanksgiving weekend arrests than there were in 2015 and 2016.
The day with the highest number of arrests this year was Thanksgiving Day itself, when 125 drivers were picked up for DWI. Sunday and Saturday saw 116 and 115 arrests, respectively. On Friday, 56 motorists were taken into custody, and 48 more were arrested on Wednesday. The wee morning hours of Monday saw 20 additional arrests in Minnesota.
If you are arrested on suspicion of impaired driving, you will be asked to take a chemical test. This test is different from the preliminary test given at the side of the road. Unless the officer has procured a warrant for a blood or urine test, you should be given the opportunity to contact a lawyer before deciding to take the test. When the opportunity presents itself, do your best to contact a lawyer before deciding whether to submit to a test.
If you test positive for a controlled substance or have a blood alcohol level or 0.08 — or if you refuse a test — you may be charged with a crime. At this point, an experienced criminal lawyer can help protect your rights and guide you through the legal process, while working to obtain the best possible resolution of your case.
If you find yourself accused of DWI or DUI, the seasoned attorneys at Halberg Criminal Defense can help. Our attorneys are available 24-7 — Call us at (612-333-3673).