Being charged with a felony DWI in Minnesota is a very serious matter. This type of conviction can result in jail or prison time and expensive fines; it is not the same as a first time misdemeanor DWI charge! In fact, most people charged with a felony DWI have already been convicted of other DWI charges.
Even though you may have been through a past misdemeanor DWI case, there are many things you need to know about a felony charge and what makes it different. It’s important to speak to a DWI criminal defense attorney promptly after you have been charged with a felony DWI so they can dispel some common myths. In the meantime, read on to learn about some common mistakes defendants make when they are charged with a felony DWI and how you can avoid them.
Speaking With The Police
If you’re trying to have a DWI dismissed in MN, speaking to law enforcement is the worst possible way to do it. The MN DWI court process is meant to give the defendant a fair trial and a fighting chance of being found not guilty, but that’s nearly impossible if you’ve given the police incriminating evidence. DWI attorneys in Minnesota always advise clients not to speak to law enforcement about their charge until they’ve spoken to us. The police don’t have your best interests at heart, so don’t allow them to convince you otherwise without first speaking to Minnesota DWI defense lawyers.
Breaking Your Bail Terms
If you have been released on bail pending your felony DWI trial, it is imperative that you precisely follow all your bail terms. Breaking these terms can jeopardize your entire case, and you may have your bail revoked before you go to trial. This means you may spend time in jail while you wait for your case to be resolved. A judge does not look favorably on a defendant who has broken the terms of their bail; they may view it as disrespectful to the court and irresponsible. Depending on the terms broken, the defendant may also face additional charges – which is the last thing you want if you are faced with having to defend your actions in a felony DWI case.
Not being forthcoming with your MN criminal defense attorney
Your attorney is there to help you obtain the best possible outcome to your case, so don’t hold anything back when you are discussing your charges and any past convictions. If this is not your first DWI charge, your past cases are incredibly relevant to how this current case will end.
Defendants often make the mistake of deciding to compromise on who represents them. There is an expense associated with choosing an experienced criminal defense attorney, but it pays to know your lawyer truly has your best interests at heart. Hiring a skilled attorney is much less costly in the long run if you are able to avoid incarceration or an exceptionally large fine.
