Police Search Garbage – Legal in Minnesota?
As a way of obtaining probable cause to issue a search warrant on the home of a person suspected of drug offenses, police search garbage for evidence. The United States Supreme Court in California v. Greenwood, 486 U.S. 35 (1988) held that people do not have a...
Sleeping Drunk in a Car Can Get You a DWI
Motorists in many states have been charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) after sleeping drunk in a car. Ironically, this scenario can arise because a motorist is attempting to make a responsible decision to “sleep it off”...
Expungement in Minnesota
Any criminal conviction can have serious consequences for your future, freedom, and household finances. Even after fulfilling all of the terms of your probation, the impact of a criminal record can continue to negatively impact your educational aspirations, housing...
Challenging DWI Evidence Based on Junk Science
Many people arrested for DWI in the Twin Cities area do not hire a private defense attorney because they assume the evidence gathered by police and used by prosecutors is based on sound science. Despite this common assumption, much of the evidence used in DWI cases is...
Commercial Drivers Face Strict DWI Penalties
Some people choose the path of least resistance in the wake of a driving while impaired (DWI) arrest, presuming the offense is nothing more than an embarrassing incident comparable to a traffic violation. This is an inaccurate assumption, especially for commercial...
Refusing Blood Test or Urine Test is No Crime Without a Warrant
Minnesota’s implied consent law designates refusal of chemical testing (i.e. blood test or urine test) by a DWI suspect as a criminal offense. Violation subjects a driver to a more serious criminal charge and additional penalties. The Impact of Implied Consent is...
The Facts (and Impact) of a B-Card
Any motorist who suffers a third conviction for DWI in 10 years, or a fourth in a lifetime, faces the undesirable scenario of cancellation of his or her driver’s license. While it is possible to regain your driving privileges on a restricted basis, this cannot be done...
The Importance of Asserting Your Rights
Many individuals who are arrested by the police try to talk their way out of trouble, especially when confronted with potentially damaging evidence. Although this situation understandably gives rise to an instinct to panic, the best course is to refuse to speak to the...
