Minneapolis DWI Lawyer Kirk Anderson
In Minnesota, DWI can trigger a license plate impoundment order, which is something that can lead to a number of issues. What this is, is an order to surrender the license plates on the vehicle and any vehicles owned by the driver to law enforcement, which can interfere with a person’s ability to drive until they receive a temporary certificate.
If you have been charged with DWI, it is important to have the proper representation so you can fight the charges. Just because you have been charged with DWI doesn’t mean that you have to be convicted or pay the maximum penalties. With an experienced Minnesota DWI attorney by your side, you can effectively fight for the best result.
Understand Your Rights And Options
License plate impoundment occurs when a person is convicted of DWI two or more times in a 10-year period. It may also occur when a drunk driver has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .20 percent or above. Also, the law says that any driver who operates a motor vehicle with a minor under 16 years of age inside the vehicle may also be subject to having their license plates impound. A person who is operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license could even cause the plates on the vehicle to be impounded.
As for how this occurs, the arresting officer acts on behalf of the Commissioner of Public Safety by issuing an order. After the order is issued, a permit may be given that temporary licenses the vehicle. The permit is valid for one week if the car is registered in the driver’s name. The permit is for 45 days when it is registered in the name of someone else. In addition to officers, orders for license plate impoundment may also come from the Department of Public Safety or a judge.
Regardless of who issues the order, it is important to understand the impoundment and that it is separate from the DWI charge. Your St. Paul and Minneapolis DWI lawyer can help you understand what license plate impoundment means for you and how to challenge it.
Aggressively Challenging Plate Impoundment
Impounded plates may also be referred to as “whiskey plates.” They look different than regular plates and the letters on them tell law enforcement what they are. As for what can be done about plate impoundment, a driver has only 30 days to file a petition that requests a judicial review of the impoundment order. The petition has to adequately explain why the order should be reversed. Your attorney will prepare this petition for you and create a solid argument for you in an effort to reverse the order.
Contact A Minnesota DWI Attorney
Plate impoundment can be an inconvenience when it comes to needing to drive to a destination. This is because plate impoundment can hinder the ability to drive until a limited driver’s license and temporary license plates are allowed. If you have been charged with DWI and you are facing plate impoundment that could interfere with your ability to drive at any point, it can benefit your case to employ the legal expertise of an experienced defense attorney. To learn about how the Anderson Law Firm, PLLC can help you, call 952-582-2904 for a free consultation.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Please contact attorney Kirk Anderson for an initial consultation.