When most people think about impaired driving, alcohol is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But in Minnesota, drugged driving—whether it involves illegal substances, prescription medications, or even everyday over-the-counter drugs is just as serious, and the consequences can be just as devastating.
Whether you’ve taken something prescribed to you or used a recreational drug, if it affects your ability to drive safely, you could face a DWI charge. Let’s take a closer look at how Minnesota handles drugged driving cases, what penalties you might be facing, and why having the right lawyer on your side can make all the difference.
What Counts as “Drugged Driving” in Minnesota?
Drugged driving isn’t just about illegal drugs like cocaine or heroin. It includes anything that impairs your ability to drive marijuana, prescription painkillers, anti-anxiety meds, Adderall or other stimulants, sleep aids, and even some cold and allergy medications.
In Minnesota, the law is clear: if any substance, legal or not, makes it unsafe for you to operate a vehicle, you can be charged with DWI. It doesn’t matter if you were following your doctor’s instructions or simply took a medication from your local pharmacy. If it impacts your reaction time, judgment, or motor skills, you’re putting yourself and everyone else on the road at risk.
How Drugged Driving Laws Work in Minnesota
Unlike alcohol-related DWIs, where a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher automatically triggers a charge, Minnesota doesn’t have a simple threshold for drug impairment.
Instead, the focus is on your behavior and the presence of drugs, at all, in your system. Officers look for signs like swerving, delayed reactions, confusion, or failing field sobriety tests. Blood or urine tests may also be used, but even if a drug is detected at a low level, what matters most is whether it impaired your ability to drive.
This means you could technically be charged even if you took a legally prescribed medication exactly as directed, if law enforcement believes it affected your driving.
What Happens If You’re Convicted of Drugged Driving?
The consequences of a drugged driving conviction in Minnesota are no small matter. Some of the penalties include:
- Jail Time: Even a first offense could mean spending several days behind bars. Repeat offenses can lead to even longer sentences.
- Heavy Fines: Expect fines that could easily climb into the thousands and those numbers get worse with each additional offense.
- Losing Your License: A drugged driving conviction usually results in license revocation. Getting your license back often means undergoing a chemical dependency evaluation, completing treatment programs, and sometimes using an ignition interlock device.
- Vehicle Forfeiture: In certain cases, you might even lose your car.
- Criminal Record: A conviction will stay on your record and can make finding a job, securing housing, or getting loans much harder.
- Sky-High Insurance Rates: After a conviction, your insurance premiums will likely skyrocket—and some companies may drop you altogether.
On top of all that, you could also be required to complete probation, attend community service, or enroll in drug treatment programs.
Marijuana and Minnesota’s DWI Laws
With Minnesota’s evolving marijuana laws, there’s a lot of confusion. While personal possession and recreational use has been legalized, driving under the influence of marijuana is still very much against the law.
Unlike alcohol, there’s no clear measurement like BAC to determine marijuana impairment. THC (the main psychoactive compound in marijuana) can linger in your system for days or weeks after use, making marijuana DWI cases especially complicated. Officers often rely heavily on observed driving behaviors and field sobriety tests to build their case, in addition to blood or urine tests that show presence of THC in the system.
What to Do If You’re Charged with Drugged Driving
If you find yourself facing a drugged driving charge, don’t try to handle it alone. A Minnesota DWI lawyer who understands the nuances of drug-impaired driving cases can be a critical asset. Here’s how they can help:
- Challenging the Evidence: They’ll closely examine everything from the officer’s observations to field sobriety test results and lab reports, looking for inconsistencies or errors.
- Asserting Your Rights: There may be legal grounds to challenge how the stop, search, or testing was conducted.
- Negotiating for Better Outcomes: In some cases, your lawyer can negotiate for reduced charges or lesser penalties.
- Standing Up for You in Court: If your case goes to trial, you’ll want someone who knows the system fighting in your corner.
Why Hiring a DWI Lawyer Matters
Drugged driving cases can get complicated quickly. A knowledgeable Minnesota DWI attorney will not only understand how to challenge the evidence but will also guide you through every step of the process helping you make informed decisions and protecting your future.
The stakes are high, and a conviction can affect nearly every aspect of your life. If you’re facing a drugged driving charge, don’t leave anything to chance. Talk to a lawyer who knows the system inside and out.
Protect Your Future After a Drugged Driving Charge
A drugged driving conviction in Minnesota can impact your freedom, finances, and future opportunities. But you don’t have to face the system alone. The sooner you involve an experienced DWI defense attorney, the better your chances of protecting your rights and minimizing the consequences.
At Sieben Edmunds Miller, we’ve helped countless Minnesotans navigate complex DWI cases, including those involving drug impairment. We understand how high the stakes are, and we’ll work tirelessly to defend your case and protect your future.
If you’ve been charged with drugged driving, reach out today for a confidential consultation. Let us put our knowledge and experience to work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get a DWI in Minnesota for taking prescription medication?
A: Yes. Even if you’re taking medication exactly as prescribed, you can be charged with DWI if it impairs your ability to drive safely.
Q: How do police test for drugged driving in Minnesota?
A: Officers may use field sobriety tests, blood tests, or urine tests. However, the key factor is whether your driving was impaired, not just whether drugs were detected in your system.
Q: What are the penalties for drugged driving in Minnesota?
A: Penalties can include jail time, fines, license revocation, vehicle forfeiture, probation, and higher insurance rates. Repeat offenses carry even harsher consequences.
Q: Is driving after using marijuana legal in Minnesota?
A: No. While marijuana possession is now legal, driving under the influence of marijuana remains against the law and can result in a DWI charge.
