Bloomington DWI Attorneys

Facing a DWI in Bloomington? Call Us Now.

Minnesota's DWI laws are among the toughest in the country, and the legal process that begins after an arrest moves quickly. If you have been charged with DWI in Bloomington, get Tamburino Law Group in your corner now. We have successfully defended clients against DWI charges throughout the region for decades. Our attorneys understand the science behind chemical testing, the procedures law enforcement is required to follow, the specific ways a DWI case can be challenged at every stage, and much more, so you can feel confident that we’re the team that is fully prepared to fight for you.

Why clients in Bloomington trust us with their DWI defense:

• Over a century of collective legal experience 
• Lead Attorney Joe Tamburino holds the Minnesota State Bar Association Board Certified Specialist designation in Criminal Law, one of approximately 50 attorneys in the state to do so
• Several of our attorneys come from backgrounds as prosecutors, including in the Hennepin County Attorney's Office
• Recognized by Super Lawyers®, Martindale-Hubbell®, and The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including for weekend and overnight arrests

Call us any time at (612) 444-5020 to get started with a no-cost, no-obligation case consultation with our Bloomington DWI defense lawyers.

Minnesota's DWI Laws

Under Minnesota law, you can be charged with DWI if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher, or if you are impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two, regardless of your BAC. DWI laws also apply to a broader range of vehicles than many people realize, including motorcycles, motorboats, ATVs, snowmobiles, and so on; if the vehicle uses a motor to operate, then you can likely be charged with a DWI if you operate it while intoxicated.

Minnesota organizes DWI offenses into four degrees based on the presence of aggravating factors and prior convictions:

• Fourth-Degree DWI (Misdemeanor): A first-time offense with no aggravating factors in most cases.
• Third-Degree DWI (Gross Misdemeanor): One aggravating factor is present. Common examples include a BAC of 0.16% or higher, a prior DWI conviction within the past ten years, or a child under age 16 in the vehicle at the time of the offense.
• Second-Degree DWI (Gross Misdemeanor): Two or more aggravating factors are present.
• First-Degree DWI (Felony): The most serious DWI charge, typically triggered by three or more prior DWI offenses within ten years, or a prior felony DWI conviction.

Understanding where your case falls within this framework matters because the penalties, process, and defense options all differ depending on the degree of the charge.

How We Approach Your DWI Defense

A DWI charge often has more room to challenge it than people expect. Our attorneys examine every element of the case to identify where the prosecution's evidence is weakest.

We may ask and investigate the following questions and more:

• Was there a valid legal basis to stop your vehicle in the first place?
• Were field sobriety tests administered correctly and under appropriate conditions?
• Was the breathalyzer device properly calibrated, and was the test conducted according to required protocols?
• Were your rights read to you before questioning?
• Were chemical test samples collected and stored correctly?

A procedural error, a faulty instrument, or a rights violation at any stage of the process can significantly change the direction of a case, whether that means negotiating a charge reduction, filing a motion to suppress evidence, or taking the matter to trial. Our background as former prosecutors gives us a clear view of how DWI cases are built on the other side, so we can react and plan ahead accordingly.

Criminal Penalties & Administrative Consequences

What many people do not realize is that a DWI case in Minnesota runs on two parallel tracks at once: the criminal proceedings and a separate administrative process that can affect your driver's license immediately and before your criminal case is even resolved.

Criminal penalties vary by degree:

• Fourth-Degree DWI: Up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000
• Third-Degree DWI: Up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $3,000
• Second-Degree DWI: Up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $3,000; possible vehicle forfeiture
• First-Degree DWI (Felony): Up to seven years in prison and/or a fine of up to $14,000

On the administrative side, Minnesota's implied consent law means your driver's license can be revoked automatically following a DWI arrest, even if you are never convicted. This revocation is handled through a separate civil process, and you have a limited window of time after receiving notice to request a hearing to contest it. If that deadline passes without action, you forfeit your right to challenge the revocation entirely.

Beyond the license removal, a DWI conviction can bring mandatory ignition interlock requirements, vehicle forfeiture in certain cases, a significant spike in insurance premiums, and lasting effects on your employment, especially in careers or roles that involve driving. These consequences are why every DWI charge, at every level, is worth taking seriously from the start.

Call Our Bloomington DWI Attorneys Today

If you have been arrested for DWI in Bloomington, do not wait. Call Tamburino Law Group at (612) 444-5020 any time, day or night, for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We are here to listen to you, walk you through your options, and get to work on defending your rights and driving privileges.

We can help clients in Anoka, Scott, Dakota, Carver, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington County, so reach out right as soon as you can, wherever you call home.