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Shamrocks, leprechauns, shillelaghs. Beer, whiskey and… DWIs. Like other places in the U.S., drinking and St. Patrick’s Day go hand in hand in the North Star State. Unfortunately, so do drunk driving arrests.
Last year, the Minnesota State Patrol reported that law enforcement arrested 175 drunk drivers in a period of less than 15 hours, starting at 6:00 p.m. on March 17. With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Saturday in 2018, folks are sure to start celebrating even earlier than usual. So, DWI enforcement will likely be stepped up throughout the weekend, as well.
If you plan on celebrating St. Patty’s with a pint or two, plan a safe ride home. Grab a cab or a service such as Lyft or Uber. In the Twin Cities, Metro Transit will offer free rides on many of its routes, including the Green and Blue Lines. Or just bribe a friend into being a designated driver.
In the event you’ve had too much and get behind the wheel, you could be arrested for DWI if you get stopped by law enforcement. This means your driver’s license will be immediately revoked, and you’ll probably spend the rest of your evening in the pokey.
After you’re arrested, usually based on the results of a preliminary breath test (PBT) or your refusal to take one, a law enforcement officer will ask you to submit to another test while you are in custody. It is illegal to refuse a breath test while you are in custody.
Before deciding whether to take or refuse the test, you’ll be offered an opportunity to discuss the decision with a lawyer. It is your legal right to do so. And you should take it.
When your Irish luck runs out, a seasoned DWI attorney can help you understand the ramifications of your situation and offer guidance as to what you should do next. They will assist you through the process and, hopefully, get you safely back on the road as soon as possible.