1st Degree DWI in Minnesota – All You Need to Know

With a variety of entertainment in and around the City of Bloomington, a night of fun can quickly lead to months or years of legal consequences if you receive a DWI citation. With heavy foot and vehicle traffic around the Mall of America and a steady rotation of events at Target Field, law enforcement agencies in Hennepin, Dakota, and Ramsey Counties aggressively enforce Minnesota’s DWI laws. If you are facing a 1st degree DWI in Minnesota, let Santana Law, PLLC, help you today.

A 1st degree DWI is Minnesota’s most serious drunk driving charge. It can carry serious penalties, such as mandatory jail time, fines, long-term license revocation, and the forfeiture of your vehicle. A conviction can also cause you difficulties in finding future employment and obtaining professional licensure.

Santana Law, PLLC, knows these charges can be scary. We can help gather evidence, protect your rights, and pursue the strongest possible outcome for your case.

What Is a First-Degree DWI in Minnesota?

A 1st degree DWI in Minnesota is considered a felony, per Minnesota Statute § 169A.24. First degree DWI charges occur when the accused has had three or more prior charges of driving while impaired within the previous ten years, or if the DWI incident resulted in the death of another party. Penalties for a 1st degree DWI in Minnesota can result in prison time and hefty fines.

Other penalties associated are common with other degrees of DWI charges, such as driver’s license suspension, which typically happens within a number of days, if not immediately.

Minnesota Statute § 169A.20 defines driving while impaired as:

• Operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher, or 0.04% for commercial drivers
• Being impaired by alcohol, drugs, controlled substances, or prescription or over-the-counter medications
• Refusing to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test, which can result in automatic license revocation

Every DWI case in the City of Bloomington and throughout the Twin Cities is unique. The penalties and charges associated depend not only on how you conduct yourself at the time of testing or arrest, but also on the strength and experience of your Minnesota DWI attorney. Ronnie Santana can evaluate your case, challenge improper evidence, and work to reduce or dismiss charges whenever possible.

Do I Need a Minnesota DWI Lawyer?

In cases of 1st degree DWI in the Twin Cities, it is vital that you have the experienced and knowledgeable skill of Ronnie Santana to guide you through this severe charge that carries with it high and sometimes life-altering penalties. According to the Minnesota DWI Dashboard, in Dakota and Ramsey Counties in 2025, there were 300 total DWIs reported, 50 of which resulted in crashes.

A felony charge in Minnesota is the most severe crime someone can have on their record. Beyond penalties directly associated with a 1st degree DWI, felonies in Minnesota also carry penalties, including: 

• Loss of firearm rights
• Potential issues in maintaining your career or starting a new job
• A permanent criminal record

Do not let a DWI charge define your future. Ronnie Santana can guide you through the defense and appeals process, seeking reduced penalties or dismissal where appropriate.

FAQs

What Does 1st Degree DWI Mean in MN?

A 1st degree DWI in Minnesota is considered a felony. Typically, a 1st degree DWI results from three or more prior DWI offenses within a 10-year period, prior DWI convictions, or prior convictions for felonies involving vehicular injury or homicide. Penalties for a 1st degree DWI can include fines, suspension of your driver’s license, a felony on your record, and up to seven years in prison.

How Likely Is Jail Time for a First DWI in Minnesota?

A first offense DWI is considered a misdemeanor in Minnesota, though there is a possibility of up to 90 days in jail. Many factors play into the penalties one might face in a first-time DWI charge, including:

• Alcohol level
• Test refusal
• Child passenger(s)
• Accidents or injuries involved in the incident

Other penalties include the possibility of fines up to $1,000, probation, addiction evaluation, community service, and the revocation of your license.

Can You Drive After a DWI in Minnesota?

You typically are not allowed to drive after a DWI in Minnesota, at least not immediately. DWI penalties in Minnesota, even for first-time offenders, will commonly have their license revoked within days of the charge. Depending on your unique needs and circumstances, driving privileges might be obtained through a limited driving permit. Driving without a license could lead to more extreme penalties. Ronnie Santana, PLLC, can help you with the appeals process.

How to Get a DWI Dismissed in Minnesota?

Hiring a Minnesota DWI lawyer is your strongest defense when challenging a DWI charge. An experienced Bloomington DWI attorney will advocate for you, challenging the prosecution and looking for common flaws in traffic charges, such as illegal stops, improperly conducted sobriety tests, and errors in breathalyzer and blood alcohol level results. Often, the discovery of insufficient evidence can get DWI charges lessened to more minor charges or even dismissed in court.

Hire a DWI Lawyer

DWI charges in Dakota County and Ramsey County can leave devastating damage on your record, but with the right legal representation, it doesn’t have to. With years of legal defense experience in the City of Bloomington and the Twin Cities, Santana Law, PLLC, is here to help appeal or defend you. Visit your nearest Hennepin County District Court, such as the Hennepin County Government Center at 300 South 6th Street in Minneapolis, for more information on forms or processes involved.

As a former prosecutor and years of representing clients in Bloomington, Santana Law, PLLC, understands how the loss of your driver’s license can impact everything from your day-to-day plans to your career. Whether you have been falsely charged with a DWI or have fallen victim to an illegal stop on one of Hennepin County’s busy highways, it’s imperative that you hire a skilled DWI lawyer to help.

Contact the office of Santana Law, PLLC, today to get started.