Little Alan's Law

DWI offenses committed on or after August1, 2018 will now carry additional consequences for certain offenders. This new law has been dubbed "Little Alan's Law" after 8-year-old Alan Geisenkoetter Jr. Alan was killed in a January accident when he was struck by a snowmobile operated by a man whose driver's license had been previously revoked three times due to DWI offenses.

Current Law

Minnesota's DWI laws already mandate the revocation of a DWI offender's driver's license for a period of time. Previously, first time DWI offenders who were operating off-road vehicles did not suffer the loss of their driver's license. Additionally, DWI offenders who were not operating a boat at the time of the offense did not suffer any consequences to their boating privileges.

Changes to the Law

The new law closes the loophole that allowed first time off-road DWI offenders to keep their driver's licenses. Now, those convicted of DWI while operating a snowmobile, ATV, or other off-road vehicle can also have their driver's license revoked. The new law will also impact boaters. Under Little Alan's Law anyone convicted of a DWI, in any kind of vehicle, will have their boating privileges revoked for a period of 90 days to be served between May 1 and October 31. This means that regardless of what type of vehicle a DWI offense is committed in, the operator will be prohibited from operating a boat during  90 days of the boating season. In the event a DWI offense is committed outside of the boating season, the revocation will take place during the next boating season. Similarly, if a DWI offense is committed with less than 90 days remaining in the boating season, the remainder of the revocation period will be served during the next summer's boating season.

What Does it All Mean

In short, the Minnesota's new DWI laws mean that a DWI can carry more civil consequences than ever before. For many Minnesotans, boating, snowmobiling, ATV riding, and operating other off-road recreational vehicles is a significant part of how people spend their free time. The new law can put all of those activities in jeopardy for someone charged with DWI. As a result, it is more important than ever to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney if you are facing a DWI charge. The attorneys of Olson Defense have over 20 years of experience handling DWI and other criminal cases in Minnesota and offer free consultations. If you are facing a DWI charge, contact the attorneys of Olson Defense to protect your rights. It may be the most important decision you make.