In Western Minnesota, a man was arrested after a high-speed chase. After the chase, the Lac Qui Parle County Sheriff’s Department charged the driver with DUI and Felony Theft of a Motor Vehicle. However, after the investigation, the Sheriff suspects more charges will be added.
According to police, they received a report Sunday afternoon about a suspicious man, who allegedly appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The report claimed that this person broke a window at a local church. Shortly thereafter, the police got a call from the same area, which reported a stolen car.
The police then stated that the stolen vehicle was seen and stopped. They claim, however, that the driver then pulled off, and lead police on a high-speed chase, reaching speeds in the triple digits. Montevideo police used spike strips to stop the chase, and after a short foot chase, police apprehended the alleged driver.
It is important to understand that, while this person now faces serious charges, he is innocent until proven guilty. And, until a fully investigation is completed, including one done by the accused’s attorney, no one can know the full truth of what happened.
It is important to keep this in mind because rushing to judgment can have its own consequences for those charged with criminal offenses, like DUI, DWI, Theft of a Motor Vehicle, or any other felony. Reputational damage alone can cause one to lose job and educational opportunities.
If convicted, those reputational consequences are compounded by significant jail time and fines. This is why developing a staunch criminal defense strategy as early as possible is so important to building a successful case. Defenses, plea deals, fact arguments, etc. can all help mitigate these consequences, but developing these legal strategies takes time.