Is a DUI considered a felony or a misdemeanor?

In Minnesota, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is considered a criminal offense. Whether it is classified as a felony or a misdemeanor depends on the number of times the offender has been convicted of a DUI offense. For a first conviction, the offender will typically be charged with a misdemeanor. This means the maximum penalty is 90 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. If the offender has been convicted of a DUI offense within the previous ten years, the charge will be escalated to a felony offense. This means the offender could face a maximum of seven years in prison and/or a fine of up to $14,000. In addition, for any conviction, the offender may also be subject to restrictions on their driving privileges, including suspension of the license and the installation of an ignition interlock device. Overall, while a first time DUI offense is typically considered a misdemeanor in Minnesota, subsequent convictions can be charged as a felony. Thus, it is important to take any DUI charge seriously and seek legal advice on how to best proceed.

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