Are You Facing A 2nd Degree DWI In MN? Know What You Are Facing!

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There Is A Difference Between A Minnesota 3rd Degree DWI Or A 1st Or 2nd Degree Charge

Facing DWI charges in Minnesota can be a frightening experience. Potential jail time or fines could be the penalty assessed against you. This is particularly true if you are charged with a 1st or 2nd degree DWI in MN -- though a Minnesota 3rd degree DWI can potentially have dramatic consequences as well.

If you are convicted of a Minnesota 3rd degree DWI, which is what you will be charged with if your case involves one aggravating factor, you could be facing one or both of the following penalties:

• Up to a $3,000 fine
• Up to one year in jail

If you are convicted of a 2nd degree DWI in MN, which is what you will be charged with if your case involves two aggravating factors, the potential penalties remain the same.

Once you move up to a 1st degree DWI conviction, however, the potential penalties become much more severe. With a first degree DWI, which is what you will be charged with if your case involves three aggravating factors, the penalties you might face include:

• Up to a $14,000 fine
• Up to seven years in jail

When determining whether you will be charged with a 1st degree or 2nd degree DWI in MN -- or if you could be facing a Minnesota 3rd degree DWI -- separate incidents involving any kind of motor vehicle will be considered. This includes, but is not limited to incidents involving:

• Passenger motor vehicle
• Head Start bus
• Commercial motor vehicle
• Airplane
• Snowmobile
• All-Terrain vehicle
• Off-road recreational vehicle
• Motorboat

Since the severity of your penalties increases with the degree of the charges, it is important to work with an attorney who will do everything possible to get the charges reduced, or possibly even dropped. After all, if your attorney can get 1st degree charges reduced to a 2nd degree DWI in MN, or possibly even a Minnesota 3rd degree DWI, you could be looking at a savings of approximately $11,000 and six years in jail, if maximum penalties are levied.

Of course, there are other potential penalties you might face if you are convicted of a 1st or 2nd degree DWI in MN, or a Minnesota 3rd degree DWI. For example, you might have your licensed revoked, your car confiscated, or even your license plates revoked. You might also see your insurance rates go up considerably and you may experience difficulty finding a job, so make sure you hire an experienced attorney to represent your case to ensure the best possible defense.