One Split Second, A Lifetime of Consequences

As Minnesotans, we share the roads every day, navigating everything from summer construction to winter ice. We trust that the drivers around us are focused, responsible, and sober. Most of the time, that trust is well-placed. But it only takes one person’s bad decision to turn a routine drive into a life-altering event. As a criminal defense attorney focusing on DWI cases, I see firsthand how a single choice—the choice to get behind the wheel after drinking—can spiral into a legal catastrophe with devastating consequences for everyone involved.

Preventing a DWI charge starts long before you ever see flashing lights in your rearview mirror. It begins with a commitment to proactive road safety. Simple steps, like ensuring your vehicle is well-maintained, keeping an emergency kit in your trunk, and always being aware of your surroundings, are foundational to being a responsible driver. The most critical “do,” however, is planning ahead. If you know you’ll be consuming alcohol, arrange for a designated driver, a rideshare service, or a taxi. The cost of a ride home is insignificant compared to the financial, personal, and legal costs of a DWI.

The most important “don’t” is obvious: don’t drive impaired. This includes not only alcohol but also prescription medications, cannabis, and other controlled substances that can affect your judgment and reaction time. A DWI is not just a traffic ticket; it’s a serious crime in Minnesota with penalties that can include mandatory bail, license revocation or cancellation, plate impoundment, vehicle forfeiture, hefty fines,mandatory participation in an ignition interlock program, and even mandatory jail time.

Unfortunately, the consequences can become exponentially more severe if an accident occurs. We see tragic stories in the news, like the recent search for a driver in a fatal hit-and-run in St. Paul. When an impaired driver is involved in a collision, their impaired judgment and panic can lead to a second catastrophic decision: fleeing the scene. In Minnesota, leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime. If the accident results in injury or death, it becomes a felony, carrying the potential for years in prison. When a DWI is combined with a felony hit-and-run charge, the defendant faces a legal battle that will define the rest of their life.

The prosecution will aggressively pursue maximum penalties in such cases. They will use the act of fleeing as evidence of guilt, arguing that the driver left to avoid being caught for driving while impaired. The legal complexities are immense, and the stakes could not be higher. Your freedom, your financial future, and your reputation are all on the line.

In these high-stakes situations, what you do in the moments and hours following the incident is critical. It is your constitutional right to remain silent and to consult with an attorney prior to, or have one present during, questioning. Asserting these rights is not an admission of guilt; it is the single most important step you can take to protect yourself. Before you decide whether to submit to a breath test, or speak to law enforcement, you must speak to an experienced DWI and criminal defense attorney. An attorney can ensure your rights are not violated, scrutinize the evidence against you—from the initial traffic stop to the chemical test administration—and build the strongest possible defense. We can navigate the complex legal system on your behalf and fight to mitigate these devastating consequences.

No one ever plans to get a DWI or be involved in a serious accident. But making a plan for responsible driving can prevent it. If you unfortunately find yourself facing these serious charges, making a plan to immediately secure experienced legal representation is the only way forward.

Sources:

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/03/28/npr-road-safety-tips-highway-emergencies

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/11/14/st-paul-police-searching-driver-fatal-hit-run-crash