It is quite common for those arrested for impaired driving to enter a guilty plea. They hope that the courts may treat them leniently because they are cooperative. They also expect to mitigate the financial impact of the charges by keeping their case out of court.
Unfortunately, the typical response of pleading guilty to a driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge might do more harm than good for the defendant. Even if the person accused manages to avoid the worst criminal penalties the courts can impose, they may face certain long-term consequences that affect their lives and finances for many years to come. The following are some of the most concerning secondary consequences of pleading guilty to a Minnesota DWI.
Increased insurance costs
Every driver in Minnesota needs to carry insurance to comply with the law. Those without coverage are at risk of tickets if they get pulled over by the police and might also face financial liability if they cause a crash. Maintaining compliance with insurance rules can be harder after a DWI conviction. Insurance companies check someone’s background every time they renew a policy or inquire about a new policy with a different Insurance provider. Motorists can anticipate that their policy costs increase by an average of 57% after a first DWI conviction. Those with repeat offenses on their records might have an even sharper increase in their costs.
Increased penalties after another arrest
Insurance companies aren’t the only ones looking at someone’s prior record to make important decisions. State prosecutors also look at someone’s record when determining the charges to bring against a motorist and the penalties the courts may impose. It is standard for the consequences of a DWI conviction to increase with each subsequent offense. First-time offenders receive the most lenient penalties, while those with prior records have a greater chance of spending time in state custody. They may lose their license for longer and may also have to pay more in fines.
The risk of an IID
Sometimes, a first DWI offense does not lead to the worst penalties possible. The courts can make a determination based on the circumstances about whether or not to require the driver to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicle. A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.16% or higher could lead to a driver needing to install an IID to regain driving privileges. In cases where someone has a prior DWI on their record from within the last10 years, the installation of an IID is often mandatory. Drivers subject to an IID requirement have to perform a chemical test to start their vehicles.
The potential consequences of a DWI conviction can make defending against charges the best option available. Looking into different DWI defense strategies can help people avoid not just criminal consequences but also secondary penalties that can impact their lives for years after a DWI arrest.
