Minnesota DWI Expungement

1 in 7 Minnesotans has a DWI on their record, and 49% of all Minnesota DWI arrests are of first time offenders. This means that DWI’s are relatively common for Minnesotans to have on their record. DWI convictions will make many aspects of your life extremely difficult and may prevent you from moving on towards improving your life. Many employers will not even consider hiring someone with a DWI of any level. If you have a Minnesota DWI conviction on your record and are looking to get that expunged, you may have that option under the new Minnesota expungement law.

Depending on what degree of DWI in Minnesota you have been convicted of will determine the ease and time frame between your conviction and when it can possibly be expunged. No matter the degree of the conviction, hiring an attorney to assist you in petitioning the court to have your DWI expunged is the smartest move towards a successful expungement as we know how to word your petition in the most appealing form possible.

Types of DWI Expungement

4th Degree DWI

4th Degree DWI in Minnesota is a misdemeanor offense. As it is typically charged for first time offenders with blood alcohol concentrations under .16, it is the most common DWI conviction seen in Minnesota. With the new Minnesota expungement law, misdemeanors such as 4th degree DWI’s may be expunged two years after the discharge of the sentence of the crime as long as you have remained law abiding throughout that period.

3rd Degree DWI

3rd Degree DWI in Minnesota is a gross misdemeanor offense. As it is typically charged for first time offenders with blood alcohol concentrations over .16 or someone with their second DWI in a 10 year span, it is a relatively common DWI conviction seen in Minnesota. With the new Minnesota expungement law, gross misdemeanors such as 3rd degree DWI’s may be expunged three years after the discharge of the sentence of the crime as long as you have remained law abiding throughout that period.

2nd Degree DWI

2nd-degree DWI in Minnesota is also a gross misdemeanor offense. With the new Minnesota expungement law, gross misdemeanors such as 2nd degree DWI’s may be expunged four years after the discharge of the sentence of the crime as long as you have remained law abiding throughout that period. Although both 3rd degree DWI’s and 2nd degree DWI’s are gross misdemeanors, the greater severity of a 2nd degree DWI conviction makes attaining an expungement of that crime more difficult.

1st Degree DWI

1st-degree DWI in Minnesota is a felony offense. With the new Minnesota expungement law, 1st degree DWI’s have not yet been included in the list of felonies that can be expunged. If this was ever to change, a 1st degree DWI could be expunged four years after the discharge of the sentence of the crime as long as you have remained law abiding throughout that period. But, if the record is a stay of imposition, meaning an initial felony DWI conviction is later deemed a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor following discharge from sentence, then that record is eligible for an expungement and the waiting period is five years.

Not Yet Eligible?

Even if you are not yet eligible, it may still be beneficial for you to contact us. We can give you advice as to what you can do now to make the process go as quickly as possible once you are eligible. Starting the process now instead of waiting until you are eligible gives us and you a head start in securing your DWI expungement. Contact us today to get the second chance you deserve.