DWI? DEFENDING YOU!
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Driving While Impaired (DWI | DUI), whether under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance (drug), is a criminal offense in all 50 states, including Minnesota. Several chemical tests are in use today to determine if a driver’s Alcohol Concentration (AC) is at or over the per se legal limit of 0.08% and/or if a driver is under the influence of a drug. Read the Full Story
In Minnesota, a DWI | DUI or Refusal to take a chemical test generally involves at least two (2) cases happening at the same time. The First Case is what I refer to as the Civil Case. This involves the civil penalty of having the up front license revocation of your driver's license or privilege to drive as the alleged result of your refusal to take a chemical test (i.e., a blood, urine or a breath test), Read the Full Story
It is no accident that I hung out my shingle more than a decade ago with the intent of running a client based practice. As a client of mine, regardless of whether you are rich or poor; educated or uneducated; employed or unemployed; friend or family; a referral or a cold call; a minority or white; a male or female; religious or not; I abide by the philosophy of: Treating and representing you as if you are my only client! Read the Full Story
Arrested? Now What?
In a perfect world, if you have been arrested and are currently in jail you would be reading this. In reality, however, if you are reading this you have already been arrested and released from jail (either on your own personal recognizance or via a set amount of bail and/or conditions of release), or just issued a ticket ("citation") without being held in jail for any amount of time.
Regardless of your situation, if you have been arrested or charged with a crime, your immediate concern should be on hiring a competent, experienced and zealous Minnesota criminal defense attorney to fight for you and protect your rights.
Depending on the reason of your arrest or the type of criminal charge, time may be of the utmost essence. For example, if you have been arrested for a DWI | DUI, have failed a chemical test (i.e., tested 0.08% or more, or tested positive for a controlled substance via a blood, urine or breath test), or have refused to take a chemical test, the clock starts ticking immediately with respect to your right to file the proper legal paperwork ("Implied Consent (IC) Petition") protecting your rights. That is, you only have thirty (30) days to file with the court and serve on the government an IC Petition; otherwise, you waive all rights and the ability to challenge--even if you could/should have prevailed! In addition, with certain DWI cases you may be subject to plate impoundment and/or vehicle forfeiture. Therefore, in this situation you need to hire a competent, experienced and zealous Minnesota DWI lawyer as soon as possible.
In addition to time concerns that could jeopardize your rights, the early retainer of a criminal defense attorney is imperative on a variety of other fronts. For example, just because you have been arrested or charged with a crime does not mean the government's investigation and ultimate case against you is over. Retaining a criminal defense attorney early on not only is prudent from an advice and consultation standpoint, but also from a legal and practical standpoint. Generally, once you have retained a criminal defense attorney the government (via its agents, e.g., police officers) is prohibited from interrogating you.
The early retainer of a criminal defense attorney is also important from an investigative, strategy and, in some cases, a quick damage control purpose (especially, if you are a high profile figure, employed in a delicate or sensitive position, or subject to greater than normal publicity). Whether the purpose involves witnesses that need to be immediately identified and interviewed, evidence that must be preserved or located, or a case that involves charges or a person that needs resolution as quietly, quickly and harmlessly as possible, the prudence and necessity of hiring a competent, experienced and zealous criminal defense attorney remains the same--the earlier the better!
Once my services are retained I tell all of my clients, and I really mean it:
let me take on your legal worries--while you take care of you
and your family and get back to your normal life.
MN DWI Lawyer | Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorneys
Call Me, Matthew L. Thornton, Esq.: (651) 699-2007
MN DWI Lawyer | Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorneys
Matthew L. Thornton, Esq.: (651) 699-2007