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DWI Guide
Home / Criminal Defense Attorney in Woodbury, MN / DWI/ DUI Lawyer in Woodbury, MN / DWI Guide

Busted for DWI in Washington, Ramsey, or Dakota County? Here's the Truth You Need to Hear

If You’re Facing a DWI in the Twin Cities, You’re Not Alone. But You Are at a Crossroads.

Getting stopped for DWI is terrifying. Sirens behind you. Lights flashing. Maybe you made a mistake. Maybe you didn’t. Either way, the outcome now depends on what you do next.
Every year in Minnesota, thousands of people get arrested for driving while impaired. From January 1 to June 26, 2025, here’s what the numbers looked like:

  • Ramsey County: 1,136 DWI arrests

  • Dakota County: 729 DWI arrests

  • Washington County: 582 DWI arrests

To put it in perspective, here are the total DWI arrests in 2024 by county:

  • Ramsey County: 2,115 arrests

  • Dakota County: 1,436 arrests

  • Washington County: 1,257 arrests

Let’s be real: those numbers are more than statistics. They’re people. They’re your neighbors. They’re your co-workers. They’re people just like you—people who never thought this would happen to them.
You still have options. But they depend on taking action quickly.

Summer in Minnesota: Beautiful, Fun, and Full of DWI Risks

When the weather heats up in the Twin Cities, so does the chance of running into trouble with a DWI charge. Many folks don’t realize that DWIs don’t just happen in cars.
In Minnesota, you can get a DWI for operating:

  • Boats and personal watercraft (like Jet Skis)

  • Off-road vehicles (like ATVs or side-by-sides)

  • Recreational vehicles (RVs, campers)

Heading out to the lake, the river, or a weekend at the campground? Enjoy it—but know the law follows you.
Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) is a real criminal offense in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, BWI is treated with the same seriousness as driving a car while impaired. Under Minnesota Statute 169A.20, operating any motor vehicle—including boats and off-road vehicles—while impaired by alcohol or drugs is explicitly prohibited and can result in both criminal and administrative penalties. The law defines impairment as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more, being under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or a hazardous substance, or having any amount of a Schedule I or II controlled substance (other than marijuana) in the body. Even a BAC under 0.08 can lead to charges if law enforcement determines impairment. Refusing to take a chemical test when requested can result in a separate violation under the implied consent law and lead to additional penalties. The penalties can include:

  • Fines

  • Jail time

  • Suspension of both boating and driver’s licenses

  • Mandatory treatment or education programs

In fact, Minnesota’s impaired driving laws apply to “any motor vehicle,” and that includes watercraft and recreational vehicles under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
So that cooler full of beer on the pontoon? If you’re the one behind the wheel, you’re responsible. Same goes for operating an ATV after a few drinks around the bonfire.

DWIs are not just for highways. They follow you to the lake, trail, and campground.

Every summer, we see a spike in cases because folks simply don’t know. But law enforcement is out in full force—especially on holiday weekends and during events like Operation Dry Water, a nationwide crackdown on BWI offenders.
If you’ve been charged with BWI or any recreational vehicle DWI, we can help. We’ve defended summer-related DWIs across Washington and Ramsey County lakes and Dakota County trails.

The Real Problem: You're Up Against a System That Doesn’t Wait

A DWI arrest in Minnesota starts a ticking clock. You could lose your license. You could face criminal charges. Higher insurance. Maybe even jail time. This isn’t just a traffic ticket. It’s a threat to your job, your freedom, your reputation, and your future.
And the system? It doesn’t slow down because you’re overwhelmed. It moves fast. It counts on you freezing, waiting, or pleading guilty just to get it over with.

That’s how good people get stuck with bad outcomes.

But there’s another path.

Meet Your Guide: Coodin Law Office

At Coodin Law Office, we’ve helped Minnesotans in Washington, Ramsey, and Dakota Counties fight DWI charges for over two decades. We know the judges. We know the prosecutors. We know how to guide you through this.
Attorney Steven Coodin has been practicing law in Minnesota since 2002 and has built his reputation on hard work, courtroom experience, and dedication to his clients. He’s been recognized by Super Lawyers and named a Top 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer by National Trial Lawyers for a reason.
We give you the truth. We give you a strategy. And we stand with you every step of the way.

The Plan: Three Steps to Start Taking Your Life Back

You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to start. Here’s how:

  1. Call us today for a free, confidential case review.

  2. We’ll break down exactly what you’re facing and what can be done.

  3. We go to work crafting a legal strategy based on your unique situation.

Simple. Focused. Grounded in experience.

Why You Can't Wait

  • In Minnesota, you have 60 days to challenge a license revocation. Miss that? The opportunity is gone.

  • Every statement you make—even online—can be used against you.

  • The court system won’t slow down while you get your bearings.

This isn’t about fear—it’s about facts. And you deserve a legal team that moves as quickly and seriously as the system itself.

What’s at Stake If You Do Nothing?

Here’s what can happen if you try to handle this alone or ignore it:

  • License suspension

  • A permanent criminal record

  • Expensive fines and fees

  • Time in jail

  • Higher insurance premiums

  • Job risks, especially for CDL holders, nurses, teachers, and others

These are real risks. But with the right legal support, it’s possible to avoid the worst outcomes.

Picture a Better Outcome

Now imagine this:

  • You get to keep driving.

  • You avoid the harshest penalties.

  • Your charges are reduced—or dismissed in the right circumstances.

  • You walk into work with confidence.

  • You put this behind you with your dignity intact.

These outcomes are possible when you act quickly and work with an experienced DWI defense attorney.

Minnesota’s Ignition Interlock Program

If your license has been revoked due to a DWI, Minnesota law may require you to enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Program before you can legally drive again. This program involves installing a breathalyzer device in your vehicle that prevents it from starting if alcohol is detected.

The program is often mandatory for:

  • First-time offenders with a high BAC (0.16 or above)

  • Repeat DWI offenders

  • Drivers whose licenses were canceled as “inimical to public safety”

Benefits of participating include:

  • Earlier reinstatement of limited driving privileges

  • The ability to go to work, school, or treatment while completing legal requirements

But it’s not automatic—you must apply, pay fees, and meet eligibility requirements. We help clients understand the system and file correctly so you can regain some normalcy in your life.

DWI FAQ: What People Ask Us Most

Yes. If an officer believes you’re impaired and has supporting evidence (like poor driving or failed field sobriety tests), you can still be charged.

Refusal can trigger its own penalties under Minnesota’s implied consent law, including longer license revocation and possible criminal charges.

Jail is possible, but not automatic. Many first-time offenders avoid jail through legal representation, plea agreements, or alternative sentencing options.

Yes. A DWI is a criminal charge with serious long-term consequences. A local attorney can evaluate your case, protect your rights, and push for better outcomes.

Definitely. Commercial drivers, licensed professionals, and government employees face especially harsh consequences.

We Know Washington, Ramsey, and Dakota Counties Inside and Out

Every courthouse has its own way of doing things. Every judge has expectations. Every report from law enforcement tells a different story.
Attorney Steven Coodin, a longtime Woodbury resident, has been inside these courtrooms for over 20 years. He volunteers his time to meet with defendants in Stillwater through the Washington County Defense Panel. He doesn’t just understand the law—he understands the people and the process here.

That local knowledge matters.

  • We know the officers.

  • We understand the county-specific sentencing patterns.

  • We’ve navigated diversion programs and rehab alternatives that many people don’t know exist.

Your Move

If you’ve been charged with DWI—or any kind of impaired driving involving a boat, ATV, or RV—in Washington, Ramsey, or Dakota County, now is the time to act.

Call us. Talk with a real person. Get the clarity you need.

Coodin Law Office. Strategic. Honest. Local.

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