Minneapolis DUI Defense Attorney

License Plate Impoundment

In the state of Minnesota, there are certain circumstances where the state has the right to take the license plate off of a motor vehicle and destroy it. When this happens it is referred to as license plate impoundment. The destruction of a license plate can occur if:

• It is a first offense DWI and the BAC test was .20% or more
• It is a first offense DWI and there was a passenger in the vehicle under the age of 16
• With any DWI offense and the driver has a prior DWI within the past 10 years
• If the person was driving without a valid driver’s license

A license place impoundment is usually issued directly the arresting officer and will generally order the person to also surrender plates to any other cars that have their name on the title. While it may be possible to get special license plates for your car, you need the advice of a Minneapolis DWI attorney to understand how the law applies to your specific situation. At my firm, Grostyan & Associates PLC, I take the time to go asses each case individually and determine the best course of action.

A DUI Lawyer Can Protect Your Driving Privileges

After a license plate has been impounded by the state, it will take one year for it to expire. If the person has succeeded in getting their full driving privileges reinstated, they can then apply to get new plates. It may also be possible to get special plates put on the vehicle so that it can be driven while subjected to the impound order. These special plates are sometimes referred to as “whiskey plates” because of the letters “WY” or “WX” that usually appear on them. It should be noted that police officers in the state of Minnesota now have the right to pull over any vehicle with these places – without any other reason – to check and make sure that the driver is operating the vehicle lawfully and has a valid driver’s license.

The laws surrounding a DWI that results in the destruction of a license plate can be complex and confusing. This is why it is important to have a competent and experienced lawyer to explain the laws and how they apply to you.

Contact a Minneapolis DUI defense lawyer after a DWI arrest has caused a license plate impoundment and taken away your driving privileges.