Felony DWI in Minnesota: Among the Toughest Drunk Driving Laws in the Nation
Minnesota's felony DWI laws are among the toughest in the country. According to the Minnesota Felony DWI statute, a person who violates section 169A.20 (driving while impaired) is guilty of first-degree driving while impaired if the person:
- Commits the violation within ten years of the first of three or more qualified prior impaired driving incidents; or
- Has previously been convicted of a felony DWI.
A person who commits first-degree driving while impaired is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than seven years (longer if they have a criminal history), or to payment of a fine of not more than $14,000, or both.
A person confined to prison for a felony DWI in Minnesota is not eligible for early release unless the inmate has successfully completed a chemical dependency treatment program while incarcerated. The court will also require a felony DWI offender to remain on conditional release for five years following release. The former inmate is subject to any conditions that the commissioner of corrections opts to impose, including an intensive probation program. If the defendant fails to comply with the release conditions, the commissioner of corrections may revoke probation and return them to prison.
