An arrest and conviction for DWI in Minnesota will prove costly. The most serious penalties lie on the surface: incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, loss of driver’s license and community service.
However, a number of unexpected and hidden costs will surface as well.
Rising insurance rates, loss of vehicle
Among those hidden costs may include:
- Shrinking paychecks: You will have to miss work to attend meetings with your attorney, court-related hearings as well as jail time. However, in some cases, you may no longer have a job as your employer may look in disfavor upon a DWI arrest and conviction, and fire you.
- An enormous climb in auto insurance rates: Your annual rates may double, and those costs may be on par with the rates you paid as a teen and twentysomething driver.
- Ignition interlock device: You may be required to install and pay monthly fees for this device that prevents your vehicle from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath. As part of sentencing conditions, the ignition interlock device would be installed so you can continue to operate your vehicle for work.
- Rehabilitation: A court may order you to enroll in an alcohol rehabilitation program. Your employer may do the same as a prerequisite to keeping your job.
- Damage to your personal and professional reputations: It may take a long time to repair your reputation within your family and community. In addition, the state may revoke your professional license if you are a doctor, nurse, attorney or commercial truck driver. Job promotions and prospects may dwindle, too.
- Loss of motor vehicle: If convicted of multiple DWI charges, you may have to forfeit your vehicle.
The penalties pile on after a DWI conviction. These are just some of the most significant.
Penalties may run deep
Understand that the costs related to a DWI conviction are high and go beyond jail time, fines and loss of driver’s license. The penalties may run deep.
