Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can come with a range of penalties that include time behind bars, expensive fines, loss of driving privileges and more. In some cases, a DUI can also impact one’s personal reputation, future job opportunities and other areas of life. In Minnesota and a few other states, drunk driving offenders are also required to have a special license plate on their vehicles for a certain amount of time.
Identifying drunk driving offenders
If a driver is arrested and convicted of drunk driving in Minnesota, he or she may be required by the state to obtain a special license plate as a penalty. These plates are known as “whiskey plates,” and the series of letters and numbers of them always begin with the letter “W.” The first letter is always followed by a second, then several numbers. This allows police to easily identify drivers with a DUI on their records.
Not every driver convicted of a drunk driving offense has to have this type of plate. It is required for those with a first DUI offense involving a BAC of .16 or higher, which is twice the legal limit. Those with multiple offenses within a 10-year period must also have them.
Defending against a DUI charge
A drunk driving charge has the potential to change a person’s life and affect his or her future. It is critical to confront these charges with an effective and thoughtfully prepared defense plan. An individual charged with a DUI will benefit from speaking with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to understand how to fight for his or her future.
