St Paul DWI Defense Attorney
Drinking while intoxicated is a common arrest on the Minnesota roads. The reason is because police officers are cracking down on all driving offenses in an attempt to stop the number of accidents on the road. It is important to be aware of the standard protocol in case you are ever pulled over. Even if you have not been drinking, you could still be asked to perform these standard DUI tests.
Types of DWI Testing
Breathalyzer – the breathalyzer is a standard test used to measure the blood alcohol content level. You will need to blow into a plastic mouth piece until you hear a beep. A machine attached to the mouthpiece will then measure your blood alcohol content. Under the state of Minnesota, anyone with a blood alcohol content of .08 or more can be arrested for drinking while intoxicated. Furthermore, those who blow over .2 may be facing even more severe charges and those who are under the legal drinking age can face a DUI arrest regardless of how much alcohol they have had.
Walking Test – another test commonly used by police officers is the standard ‘walk in a straight line’ test. If the breathalyzer is not available, then police officers will assess your state of sobriety by using additonal methods. In addition to the walking test, you may be asked to count backwards or to stand on one leg. You might even be asked to breathe on a police officer. These tests are meant to measure your sobriety. However, it is important to note that these tests do not necessarily prove anything and you are most certainly not considered guilty just because you stumbled.
Once you have been taken back to the police station, you may be asked to do even more sobriety tests including a blood test or a give urine sample. You are not required by law to do either of these tests. Instead of agreeing to take these tests, it is often best to ask to speak to a lawyer before continuing on. A qualified DWI attorney will be able to advise you on your best plan of action and help you determine if these tests will work in your favor.
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
If you are caught drinking while under the influence of something other than alcohol, such as cocaine or marijuana, you could also be facing a world of trouble. There is a zero tolerance policy for illegal substances while behind the wheel. Those who display signs of drinking under the influence may need to take a urine test in order to prove their innocence.
Some of the signs that police officers will look for when assessing a drunk driver include erratic behavior, reckless or careless driving, speeding, swerving, avoiding traffic rules and slurring of speech. However, even if you do display any of these signs does not mean you are automatically convicted of a DWI offense. You are innocent until proven guilty.
If you or someone you love is facing a criminal conviction, then now is the time to step up and fight back. Contact St Paul criminal defense lawyer Michael Brandt at 763-421-6366 for a free, no obligation consultation.
