If you are convicted of a DWI or DUI in Minnesota, the court may impose a penalty assessment in addition to any other jail time or fine. Minnesota Statute 169A.285 states that when a court sentences a person who violates section 169A.20 (driving while impaired) while having an alcohol concentration of 0.20 or more as measured at the time, or within two hours of the time, of the violation, the court may impose a penalty assessment of up to $1,000. The Minnesota Drunk Driving Lawyers at Sieben Edmunds can defend your case today.
The funds that are generated from the penalty assessment are to be distributed to the arresting agency (police department) and are meant to be used for use in enforcement, training, and education activities related to driving while impaired. If the arresting agency was a state agency (State Trooper) these funds can be entered into the state treasury and credited to the general fund. Prosecutors understand that this money goes directly to the police agencies that they represent, and thus often times attempt to have courts enforce very high penalty assessments.
It is important to have a qualified criminal trial lawyer who knows and understands when the penalty assessment applies. If you are concerned that your DWI or DUI arrest could result in thousands of dollars being paid to the state, contact Sieben Edmunds, PLLC immediately to ensure that you get the best possible result out of your DWI or DUI arrest. Contact our Minneapolis DWI Lawyers at Sieben Edmunds today.