Arrested for DWI/DUI While Visiting Minnesota? Here’s What You Need to Know.
You came to Minnesota for a reason.
Maybe it was a vacation.
Maybe you were here visiting family.
Maybe you traveled for work.
Maybe you were attending a wedding. Or even a funeral.
And now, instead of heading home with memories, you’re facing a Minnesota DWI or DUI charge.
At Jack Rice Defense, we represent people in your exact situation every single year. Good people. Responsible people. People who simply never expected to be arrested while out of town.
If this happened to you, take a breath. Then let’s talk about what comes next. If you are facing charges, contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation at 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339.
“If you get arrested for a DWI/DUI and don’t appear, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.”
You Don’t Live Here — But the Charge Is Here
A Minnesota DWI case doesn’t disappear just because you cross state lines.
If you were arrested here:
The criminal case will proceed in Minnesota court.
Your driving privileges may be affected in Minnesota and your home state.
A warrant can be issued if you ignore the case.
The consequences can follow you home through interstate reporting systems.
Many people think, “I’ll just deal with it when I get back home.” Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.
Minnesota keeps jurisdiction. That means you need someone here who understands Minnesota law, Minnesota prosecutors, and Minnesota courts.
The Unique Challenges of an Out-of-State DWI
When you don’t live here, everything feels harder:
You don’t know the local court system.
You’re worried about having to travel back repeatedly.
You’re unsure how this affects your license back home.
You’re trying to manage this long-distance while juggling work and family.
We’ve represented clients who were here:
On business trips
On fishing and cabin vacations
Visiting their kids at college
Attending family reunions
Saying goodbye at funerals
Passing through on road trips
The common thread? They needed someone local who could step in and take control of the situation.
In Many Cases, You May Not Have to Keep Coming Back
One of the first questions we hear is:
“Am I going to have to fly back to Minnesota over and over?”
Often, the answer is no.
Depending on the charge and circumstances, an experienced defense attorney can:
Appear in court on your behalf
Handle negotiations with prosecutors
Challenge the stop, testing, or arrest procedure
Work toward minimizing or resolving the charge without repeated travel
Every case is different, but having local representation dramatically reduces the burden on you.
Minnesota DWI Law Is Technical — And That Matters
Minnesota DWI cases often hinge on details such as:
The legality of the traffic stop
Field sobriety testing procedures
Breath, blood, or urine testing protocol
Implied consent issues
Prior history (in any state)
Out-of-state drivers are often unfamiliar with Minnesota’s specific rules. That lack of familiarity can lead to mistakes that make things worse.
You need someone who knows how to scrutinize every piece of the case.
“While challenging, it is sometimes possible to fix this without ever appearing in Court.”
What You Should Do Right Now
If you were charged while visiting Minnesota:
Do not ignore the court date.
Do not assume your home-state lawyer can handle it from afar.
Do not plead guilty just to “get it over with” without understanding the consequences.
Instead, speak with a Minnesota-based DWI defense attorney immediately.
The earlier we get involved, the more options you typically have.
We’ve Helped People in Your Exact Situation
At Jack Rice Defense, we understand the stress of being charged far from home.
You’re not just dealing with a criminal charge — you’re dealing with:
Travel logistics
Employment concerns
Family responsibilities
License issues across state lines
We step in, take control of the legal process, and guide you clearly through what’s happening and what’s next.
You don’t have to try to manage a Minnesota criminal case from hundreds or thousands of miles away.
Let Us Help
If you picked up a DWI or DUI while visiting Minnesota, the worst thing you can do is nothing.
The second worst thing is hiring someone who doesn’t regularly handle Minnesota DWI cases.
We have represented clients who were here for all of the reasons listed above — and more. We know how to protect out-of-state clients. We know how to navigate Minnesota courts. And we know how to fight.
Call Jack Rice Defense today and let us help you take the next step forward. If you are facing DWI charges in Minnesota but are from out of state, contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation at 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339.
Because just because you were visiting Minnesota…
doesn’t mean you should face this alone.
