Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) – In the early hours of May 11, at approximately 3:11 a.m., police conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of Pennington Avenue South. Christian Javier Urdaneta Moreno, 30, of Thief River Falls, was arrested and charged with third-degree driving while impaired (DWI) for test refusal and fourth-degree DWI for alcohol impairment.
According to the complaint, the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle while awaiting Urdaneta Moreno’s proof of insurance. He exhibited signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. A preliminary breath test indicated a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.18, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 in Minnesota.
Urdaneta Moreno allegedly refused to comply with a search warrant for a blood or urine sample.
Legal Implications:
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Third-Degree DWI – Test Refusal: In Minnesota, refusing a chemical test when suspected of DWI is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine. License revocation periods can extend up to one year, though they may be reduced under certain plea agreements.
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Fourth-Degree DWI – Alcohol Impairment: This misdemeanor offense carries potential penalties of up to 90 days in jail, fines up to $1,000, and a 90-day license suspension.
Did you know?
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Minnesota’s implied consent law mandates that drivers submit to chemical testing when lawfully requested by an officer. Refusal to do so results in automatic license revocation and potential criminal charges.
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Field sobriety tests, such as the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand, are standardized assessments used by officers to evaluate impairment.
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A BAC of 0.18 is more than twice the legal limit and significantly increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.