Minnesota DWI - Costs (Explained)

Which is more expensive: a cab ride from your favorite watering hole to your home -or- a DWI arrest?

Although it might not be so clear to someone one - after they've been out with friends enjoying a couple of cocktails - the answer almost always is the DWI arrest. Well, that is unless your favorite bar is in someplace like Chicago and you live in Minneapolis; but, in nearly every other case - allowing a cab driver to to chauffeur you home is going to be cheaper than paying to clean up the financial mess that a DWI will inevitably create.

How messy could it get? 

1. Fines & Court Costs - Depending on the level of offense, you can expect to pay a $3,000 fine, nearly $700 to get your driver's license back. Also, if your sentenced to time in jail - there's a cost there too.

2. Alcohol/Drug Evaluation & Treatment Program - If you are sentenced to serve time in custody, you may be able bargain to do so in your home; however, that could cost you because often alcohol-monitoring is part of the equasion. A Plus, unless you have decent health insurance, expect to pay for your own treatment - if it's ordered.

3. Ignition Interlock Device - An additional device might be necessary to get back on the road ASAP.  Guess what --- it is expensive.  Including, not only, an installation fee --- but there's also a weekly cost.

5. Alcohol Monitoring System - The court may order you to wear a SCRAM alcohol monitoring device if they feel you have a serious drinking problem and are likely to be a repeat DUI offender. This can also add significantly to your DUI costs.

5. Bail - This can range from $0 to $12,000 depending on whether there was an accident/injury, what your BAC level was at the time of arrest, and whether or not you use a bond service.

6. Towing - Some cities realize that towing expenses for those arrested for DUIs are a real money spinner, and have raised fees to extortionate levels. In some cities you can expect to pay a lot to get your car back and money everyday they hold your vehicle.

7. Insurance -  Perhaps the most serious financial consequence of a DUI/DWI conviction is the affect on a driver’s car insurance premiums. Some insurance companies will drop you altogether simply for being arrested for DUI. Others will refer you to their “high-risk” insurance department after you have been convicted where you will need to take out what is known as SR-22 insurance. Typically SR-22 insurance will run you 40-100% more per month than standard insurance. Factor in that you will need to pay the inflated premiums until you get you good-standing back with the DMV (normally 3-7 years), and you are looking at a huge added out-of-pocket expense as a result of a DUI conviction.

8. License Reinstatement Fees -  In Minnesota, the cost to get your license reinstated after it has been revoked is almost $700.

9. Other Fees You May Encounter - Here are just a few of the miscellaneous fees you may come across depending on the jurisdiction in which you were charged:

• Jail Fee
• Victim Assistance Fund payment.
• Chemical Dependency Evaluation
• Probation Fee
• Victim Impact Panel assessment

10. Unexpected Costs -  Other indirect costs that can have a serious effect on your wallet include:

• Increased life insurance premiums
• Time off work
• Loss of job/inability to advance in career due to background check/lack of security clearance
• Loss of professional license, for example, if you are a doctor, pilot, stockbroker, or military personnel
• Depression/anxiety/lack of motivation

and...

11. Legal Fees -  Although hiring an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney is entirely up to you, it is advisable to meet with someone to discuss your case, especially as many offer a free initial consultation. After you have met with a few different lawyers, you may decide that your case is strong enough to fight and that the best course of action is to retain an experienced attorney.

If you are someone with a significant amount to lose from a conviction, say if your professional status is at stake, it may well be worth your time and effort to talk to the Rolloff Law Office.  Call today to set up a FREE CONSULTATION: (612) 234-1165.