Tougher Minnesota DWI Law Clears Hurdle

Drake's Law, which could mean tougher DWI penalties in Minnesota, just made huge strides Wednesday when the Minnesota House unanimously passed a version of the bill that would increase the penalty against repeat DWI offenders. Drake's Law is named in memory of Drake Bigler, who was five months old when the SUV he was a passenger in was struck by a truck driven by a heavily-intoxicated driver who pleaded guilty.

Drake's Law could make it to the Senate floor next week, and if the bill turns into law (I'm no lawyer, but I'm pretty sure - at least according to what I remember from high school social studies class and watching 'School House Rock' - now that the House passed it, the Senate needs to pass it, and then the Governor has to sign it.) it would increase the maximum prison sentence to 15 years from 10 years for criminal vehicular homicide. (The tougher penalty would apply to people who had a previous DWI offense within the past 10 years and caused injury to a person or property damage.)

We rank low compared to the penalties in other Midwest States. The same offense could carry a potential penalty of up to 15 years in South Dakota, potentially 28 years in Nebraska, and in Wisconsin potentially up to 40.