BWI, SWI, AWI
DWI’s do not only occur on the road. It is against the law to operate any recreational vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or higher. This includes boats, ATV’s and snowmobiles. If you are caught drinking and driving while operating a recreational vehicle, you could be looking at an AWI, SWI or BWI arrest and conviction.
It does not matter is you are in the bush, on a lake, on a golf course or on a snow-capped mountain – if you are caught with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or higher, then you could be looking at a DWI arrest.
Even if this is your first DWI offense, you could still be looking at a misdemeanor conviction and severe punishments for BWI, SWI and AWI arrests, including:
- License suspension and vehicle forfeiture for 90 days (90 days in season)
- Up to 90 days in prison
- A $1,000 fine
- Driver’s education training
BWI, AWI and SWI laws are similar to DWI laws which means, if you are found drinking and driving with the following aggravating factors present, you could be looking at a higher criminal conviction.
- Operating a boat/ATV/snowmobile with a blood alcohol concentration of .20 or more;
- A prior conviction for DWI or test refusal in the 10 years leading up to; or
- A passenger under age 16 on the boat/ATV/snowmobile at the time of the offense.
If you are found operating any vehicle with one or more aggravating factors present, then you could be looking at a gross misdemeanor conviction which includes:
- A $3,000 fine
- mandatory minimum jail time
- the requirement to submit to a chemical use assessment
- long-term monitoring programs
- loss of motor vehicle driver’s license privileges
- motor vehicle plate impoundment and forfeiture of the vehicle
If the driver has three or more DWI convictions or revocations in the last 10 years, or has a prior felony DWI conviction, they may be sentenced to up to seven years in prison and be ordered to pay a fine up to $14,000.
Protect your rights if you have been arrested for a BWI, SWI or AWI. Contact Barry Hogen, Minneapolis DWI lawyer to discuss your legal rights and defense options.
An arrest is not a guilty sentence. There are ways to fight back against any BWI, SWI or AWI allegation. Your constitutional rights may have been violated. The tests may not have been administered correctly. The DWI protocol may have been ignored – an experienced DWI lawyer will meet with experts, interview witnesses and determine your best legal defense.
Contact Top-Rated Minneapolis DWI Lawyer, Barry Hogen Today!
Do not wait until it’s too late. Contact a criminal lawyer as soon as you have been arrested for BWI, SWI or AWI – the sooner you make the call, the better your defense will be.
Minneapolis criminal lawyer, Barry Hogen has years of experience in DWI cases and can provide you with the legal services you need during this difficult time. For affordable payment options, aggressive representation and confidential legal advice when you need it most, contact Minnesota criminal lawyer, Barry Hogen today at (763) 513-9085.