In response to his repeat DWI offenses in the Rochester area, Darrell Luce will spend one year in jail.

The 50-year-old will enter a work-release program as part of his sentencing. A judge cited the face Luce has been seeking treatment since his May 11 arrest as part of the reason to offer the work-release privileges. Officers stopped Luce when he was spotted driving erratically and dangerously neat the exit ramp of I-90. His multiple previous arrests lead to the felony charge.

Luce could have faced up to seven years in prison for his offenses. Instead, a judge has agreed to stay the sentence instead of following guidelines as long as Luce fulfills the conditions of his probation. The one-year prison sentence will be followed by seven years probation. He will have to wear an alcohol sensor for one year after his release. He will also be a full-time student or have a full-time job in order to fulfill the terms of his probation.

The Minnesota criminal statute provides for a felony charge if a driver is charged with DWi three times within ten years or has previously been convicted of felony DWI. The punishment can range up to seven years in prison or more if the individual has a previous criminal history. The fines for felony DWI can be as high as $14,000 in the state of Minnesota.