Understanding Felonies in Minnesota: OWI and Other Charges
A man in Minnesota was recently accused of felonies in Minnesota, including operating a vehicle while intoxicated for the ninth time. Facing a felony OWI charge, he remains presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law, as is the standard for all accused of felonies in Minnesota.
In the recent case involving operating while intoxicated, police reported that they stopped the 48-year-old man after discovering that his driver’s license had been revoked due to prior OWI convictions. Police said they saw that he was holding a beer can that had not yet been opened. However, the man allegedly told police that he had already consumed several beers.
Authorities also reportedly found a smoking tool containing a leafy substance. Police said the substance ended up testing positive for the cannabis ingredient known as THC. In addition to facing a felony OWI charge, the man faces several misdemeanor charges in connection with the traffic stop, including possessing drug paraphernalia, possessing THC, operating with a revoked license and bail jumping.
The man has the right to go to trial to fight his felony and misdemeanor charge. When people are accused of committing felonies or misdemeanors, the prosecution must prove their criminal charges beyond a reasonable doubt before criminal convictions can be handed down against them. However, a defendant may also feel that it is in his or her best interest to seek to negotiate a plea deal instead, due to the weight of the prosecution’s evidence. Either way, an attorney in Minnesota can help a defendant to pursue the most personally favorable outcome in light of the circumstances.