Minnesota requires some adults and youth who operate motorboats and personal watercrafts (including jet skis) to have a valid watercraft operator’s permit. This law applies to “adult operators” and any person over the age of twelve is considered an adult operator unless you are exempt from the permit requirement. To determine whether you fall into the category of exempt boaters,...
The Twin Cities Pride Festival is one of the largest free festivals in the United States. Expect live music across four stages, dazzling drag performances, food trucks, beer gardens, a cannabis garden, and hundreds of vendor booths. There is enough glitter to go around so there is no need to bring your own. Of course, with large gatherings, a little...
If You Pass Field Sobriety Testing and the Officer Lacks Reasonable Suspicion of Impairment, an Officer Cannot Give you a Preliminary Breath Test In a recent decision, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a driver, reversing the Commissioner of Public Safety’s decision to revoke her driving privileges. The court found that the investigating officer lacked reasonable suspicion...
Technically yes. Police officers may wait outside of bars, clubs, and other venues, looking for drunk drivers. Police can patrol these areas, and can do so more extensively if drunk driving incidents are more likely to occur there. However, officers must also have a valid reason to stop a particular driver, since merely leaving a bar does not automatically allow...
Pulled Over and Questioned for Suspicion of DWI? Know Your Rights! Police officers can stop a vehicle when they have a reasonable suspicion that the driver is violating the law. This can range from something as minor as touching the fog line to something more severe, such as a motor vehicle accident. Once stopped by the police, the officer may...
Although it is still unclear, the answer is likely no. Minnesota DWI laws say it is a crime for any person to drive, operate, or be in physical control of any “motor vehicle” while impaired. Minn. Stat. § 169A.20. The answer to this question comes down to whether a lime scooter is considered a “motor vehicle.” Minnesota law defines “motor...
Super Bowl Sunday is a beloved American holiday, often celebrated with good food, drinks, and most importantly, football! It’s a day when football fans everywhere gather to watch the game and sometimes get a little rowdy. Statistics show that there may be an uptick in crime on Super Bowl Sunday. In preparation for hosting this year’s celebration, and the potential...
Criminal Liability Minnesota’s DWI laws make it illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. However, Minnesota’s Open Container laws can punish sober drivers and passengers for having an open alcohol container in their car. In terms of criminal liability, Minnesota’s law applies equally to drivers and passengers. This means that police officers may choose to...
DWIs can have serious consequences, including the revocation of your driver’s license. How long the revocation lasts depends on the circumstances of the case and the charges. For example, an individual facing their first DWI whose blood alcohol content (BAC) tested under 0.16 face a 90-day license revocation while a person whose BAC was over 0.16 or individuals who have...
What If I’m Arrested for a DWI the Day Before Thanksgiving? The Day Before Thanksgiving is considered one of the heaviest drinking days of the year which means DWI patrol will likely be significant. Whether you are drinking with your family or with old friends, the day before Thanksgiving is one of the worst days to get arrested for a...