The DWI numbers from the New Year’s weekend crackdown are in, and we ended 2023 with more drunk driving arrests than we had in 2022.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), there were 329 DWI arrests during the New Year’s DWI enforcement period, which ran from 6 p.m. on Friday through 6 a.m. on Monday morning. Police also noted that there were 92 DWI arrests between midnight and 6 a.m. on Monday morning on New Year’s Day.
In all, the Minnesota DPS said that there were 27,197 DWI arrests made across Minnesota in 2023, which is up more than 1,300 from 2022. We also had an increase in DWI arrests in 2022 compared to 2021, so it’s clear that we are collectively heading in the wrong direction when it comes to drunk driving in Minnesota.
“We do have an increase in DWI arrests,” said Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol. “So we need to continue to educate people on the dangers of drinking and driving. We also need to continue to follow it up with extra enforcement patrols on the roadways.”
Minnesota DWI Legal Help
If you were one of the 27,000+ DWI arrests this year and your case is still pending, or you run into trouble with the law in 2024, you need to get in contact with a criminal defense attorney. A DWI conviction can heave major implications for your life, including the possibility of fines, jail time, the loss of your driver’s license and more. You need to defend yourself against these charges, even if it seems like an uphill battle, otherwise you risk the worst case scenario.
At Appelman Law Firm, we specialize in helping clients put a mistake in the past and move forward in the right direction. That begins by putting together a strong defense, but it’s not all we do for our clients. We also have connections in the substance abuse community and would be more than happy to help you find an alcohol education class that you can take while your case is pending. Oftentimes these are ordered after a case is complete, but being proactive and joining one of these classes shows the judge that you take the matter seriously and that you want to learn from your past decisions. Let us help you get the help you need to make the best out of a bad situation.
Let’s work hard to reduce those drunk driving numbers in Minnesota in 2024, but if you need legal assistance this year, know that you have an ally in Appelman Law Firm. For more information, or to set up a free case consultation, reach out to our team today at (952) 224-2277.
