A Minnesota family had a rough day last week when both a father and a son earned DWI charges in the same day.
The whole incident began when police stopped 23-year-old Nathan Henning and discovered that he was driving under the influence of alcohol. Henning was placed under arrest and brought to Stearns County jail. After he went through the booking process, police agreed to release him if he could find a sober ride home. Henning picked up the phone and called his father, 54-year-old Richard Henning in Brooklyn Center.
When the older Henning arrived at Stearns County jail, the staff did what they always do when a sober driver arrives to pick up a DUI suspect – they asked him to submit to a voluntary breath test. Unfortunately for Richard Henning, he blew a 0.11, which is just over the 0.08 limit.
Booked As Well
After he submitted to the breath test, a county deputy told him that he would have to get a hotel room for the night and that he wouldn’t be able to take his son home. Later in the conversation, Henning admitted that he drove to the jail from Brooklyn Center. Upon hearing this, the deputy conducted some standard tests and eventually placed Henning under arrest for fourth-degree DWI.
Police put the two Hennings in the same jail cell, where they spent the night.
Under Minnesota law, a 4th Degree DWI is considered a misdemeanor offense, which means it is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $1,000. However, people don’t usually spend more than a night in jail for 4th Degree DWI convictions, and the fine amounts typically end up being between $300-$500. That being said, those convicted of the charge usually have their driver’s licenses suspended for 90 days and are sentenced to a year or more of probation, so odds are the Henning duo will face more consequences than a night in jail and a fine.
For more information about DWI arrests, or to talk with a lawyer about your options after an arrest, reach out to Avery Appelman today.
