Driving under the influence is a serious crime, and this means courts and judges can be a little more liberal with their imposed punishments. Some courts focus on punishing the offenders, while other focus more on rehabilitation, and other courts fall somewhere in between. So today, we’re going to take a look five common penalties imposed by the court after a Minnesota DUI conviction.
Common Drunk Driving Penalties
If you’re convicted of DUI, here are some punishments that you may face.
Fines
This is a standard punishment that every convicted DUI offender will face. There is no real standard fine amount in Minnesota because the base fine varies from county to county, but expect to shell out at least a couple hundred bucks on the fine alone. You’ll also need to spend money on a lawyer, increased car insurance, and some court administrative fees. You might think you can save money by skipping the lawyer costs, but a lawyer can actually save you money in the long run.
Diversion Program
If this is your first DUI, you may be sentenced to a DUI diversion program. If you complete the program, you may receive a downgraded charge like reckless driving, or you can have your fine reduced.
Substance Education Program
This is similar to a diversion program, but this is more focused on preventing future DUIs than achieving a lesser sentence for the first DUI. A good lawyer may even recommend that you enter one of these programs before one is imposed by the court, because it helps prove to the court that you take the situation seriously and you want to change your behavior.
Ignition Interlock Devices
Minnesota requires all DUI offenders to install an ignition interlock device if their DUI involves certain factors, like a blood alcohol concentration over 0.16. These devices cost money to install and monthly service fees, but they also help you keep your driver’s license, which may be necessary for your job. If you are wondering where to go to get one of these devices installed, let us know and we can help.
Loss of Driver’s License
Depending on the specifics of your DUI arrest, or if you’ve had a few DUI convictions in the past, you may have your license suspended or revoked by the state. This typically happens for six months or a year, and it’s pretty costly to get your license reinstated. There’s a $680 license reinstatement fee in Minnesota, so you’ll want to hire a lawyer if you’re at risk for losing your driver’s license.
If you need a lawyer after a DUI arrest, or you just want some legal advice, reach out to Appelman Law Firm at (952) 224-2277.
