Court Upholds Revocation in Fleeing Abuse Case

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Supreme Court has narrowly upheld revoking the driver's license of a woman who says she drove drunk only to escape from her abusive husband.

The court said in a 4-3 decision that Jennifer Axelberg couldn't use the so-called necessity defense to challenge the revocation of her license after an arrest on a drunken-driving charge in 2011.

Axelberg claimed the damage that could have resulted from obeying the law outweighed the harm caused by breaking it.

Axelberg and her husband had an argument that turned physical at a cabin near Mora. Axelberg said she ran to her car for protection from her husband who was chasing her.

Her husband pleaded guilty to domestic abuse. The couple are now sober and have mended their relationship.