Minneapolis DWI Test Refusal Lawyer

Anyone who operates or is in physical control a motor vehicle in Minnesota may be subject to a chemical test for the presence of alcohol or drugs, and may be charged with gross misdemeanor test refusal if they refuse a test. Additionally, refusing a blood alcohol test may result in losing driving privileges for one year.

There are two types of tests frequently administered by law enforcement, (1) elective field sobriety tests, and (2) mandatory chemical tests done after an arrest.

Field Sobriety Tests:

Drivers suspected of driving while intoxicated are usually requested to submit to field sobriety tests after stopped by law enforcement. These investigative tests are conducted by law enforcement to bolster the evidence they may have against someone suspected of DWI. Field sobriety testing includes a preliminary breath test (“PBT”), and various other tests, many of which sober drivers would have difficulty completing successfully. Field sobriety tests are not mandatory, and refusing to take these tests is not a crime.

Chemical Tests:

Anyone who operates or is in physical control a motor vehicle in Minnesota is subject to a chemical test to test blood, urine, or breathe (e.g. breathalyzer, ‘Intoxilyzer 5000′) to test for the presence of alcohol or drugs. These chemical tests are mandatory, and refusing to submit to a chemical test is a basis for gross misdemeanor test refusal charges.

You are required to submit to a chemical test after an arrest based on probable cause for DWI or DUI. Before the alcohol test is conducted, law enforcement must read an implied consent advisory indicating that refusing the test is a crime and allowing the arrested person to contact a Minnesota DUI lawyer. You are also required under MN law to submit to a chemical test if you refused a PBT or the PBT indicated .08 or more blood alcohol, or you were involved in a car accident that caused property damage, personal injury, or death.

Whether the chemical test is a test of the blood or urine, or breath is up to the officer. What this means is that if you are asked to submit to a breathalyzer, you must submit two breath samples, and the officer does not need to offer you an alternative. However, if an officer requests that you take a urine test, they must also give you the option of taking a blood test, or vice versa.

If you have been charged with chemical test refusal contact Minnesota DWI lawyer Coley Grostyan today at (612) 747-2254.

Coley Grostyan represents individuals charged with DWI test refusal, and all other impaired driving related charges in the Twin Cities Minneapolis/St. Paul Area, and all across the State of Minnesota, including, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Anoka County, Sherburne County, Wright County, Dakota County, Washington County, Carver County, Scott County, Isanti County, Mille Lacs County, Kanabec County, Pine County, Crow Wing County, and Stearns County.

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Minneapolis, MN 55415