How Much Does a DWI Cost in Hennepin County?
Facing a DWI charge in Hennepin County raises concerns about not just potential jail time but also the significant financial costs involved. If you’re wondering, How much does a DWI cost in Hennepin County? here’s what you need to know.
A DWI in Hennepin County can cost between $1,000 and $14,000 in fines depending on the offense. Third and Second Degree DWIs are gross misdemeanors with fines up to $3,000, while First Degree DWIs, as felonies, carry fines up to $14,000 and potential prison sentences.
Beyond fines, additional expenses like court-ordered classes, towing, and increased insurance premiums can add thousands to the total cost. As an experienced Hennepin County DWI defense lawyer, I’ve helped countless clients mitigate these consequences and fight for the best possible outcome in their cases. In this article, we’ll explore the average costs, hidden expenses, and how skilled legal representation could minimize these burdens.
The Average DWI Cost in Hennepin County
Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine the average financial impact a DWI arrest or conviction can have on a person. Much of this information is not public, and two cases could differ substantially from each other.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, different offense will have different fines:
- First Offense: $1,000 – $3,000 fine
- Second Offense: $3,000 fine
- Third Offense: $3,000 fine
- Fourth or More Offense: $14,000 fine
While it is possible to estimate the maximum amount of fines you could face, many of the hidden costs of a DWI case are much higher than the total amount of fines you could owe.
As experienced DWI Defense lawyers in Hennepin County, we have considered the potential costs related to a DWI arrest as well as a conviction below.
What Are the Costs Related to a DWI in Hennepin County?
Some of the costs of a DWI case are entirely unrelated to your conviction or acquittal. These costs are tied to your arrest, and many are entirely unavoidable.
Impound and Towing Costs in Hennepin County
When you are pulled over on the side of the road and arrested, law enforcement has a duty to address your vehicle. Unless there is a sober driver available to take the vehicle from the scene, the police will not simply leave your vehicle on the side of the road. Instead, they will tow the car and impound it.
As with many aspects of the court system, you are on the hook for the cost of towing and impounding your vehicle. The tow alone could cost several hundred dollars. The price of impound varies depending on where your car is stored, but impound lots charge an additional fee for each day a car is present. These costs add up quickly.
Hennepin County Attorney Fees
While you are entitled to take on a DWI defense on your own, your best chance of avoiding a criminal conviction is to work with a skilled DWI attorney in Hennepin County. This means that you can expect to pay attorneys’ fees for this representation. The cost of your DWI Defense attorney is more of an investment into your freedom than an expense, however.
When it comes to DWI cases, attorney fees generally come in two forms. Some attorneys will handle a DWI on a flat rate agreement. This means that for a set amount of money paid up front, an attorney will handle a DWI case from beginning to end.
Other attorneys operate using billable hours. With this approach, an attorney tracks the number of hours they spend working on a case and charging their fees based on an hourly rate. Some attorneys will combine these two approaches by handling a DWI case for a flat fee unless it goes to trial, which would trigger them transitioning to billable hours.
What Costs Are Associated with a Hennepin County DWI Conviction?
A DWI conviction in Hennepin County comes with significant financial consequences. Key costs include:
- Court Costs and Fines: Fines are determined by statute and vary based on the offense. Courts may also charge additional fees to cover administrative expenses.
- Insurance Premium Increases: A DWI conviction often leads to dramatically higher liability insurance rates. Drivers may also be required to obtain high-risk insurance policies, further increasing costs.
- Restitution to Victims: If an accident occurs, you may be required to pay restitution for vehicle repairs or medical expenses not covered by insurance, which can amount to thousands of dollars.
- Driver’s License Fees: Reinstating a suspended or revoked license involves paying reinstatement fees, which are mandatory to regain driving privileges.
- Interlock Device Installation: Convicted drivers may need to install and maintain an ignition interlock device, which prevents a vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected. These devices come with installation and monthly maintenance fees.
Each of these costs underscores the importance of skilled legal representation to minimize the financial burden of a DWI conviction.
Non-Economic DWI Cost in Hennepin County
There are other consequences of a conviction that can hit you in the pocketbook, even if they do not directly result from an act of the court. The most common example is the potential for increased insurance rates due to a DWI conviction. Insurers often cancel policies with drivers convicted of DWI. To obtain insurance and drive again, you can expect to pay a much higher premium.
Because we’re long-time DWI attorneys in Hennepin County, we know that a DWI conviction can also impact your ability to maintain employment. Employers routinely do background checks on prospective employees. A conviction for DWI could cost you a job you already have or prevent you from obtaining a new one.
Even if a criminal conviction on a background check does not cost you your job, other aspects of a DWI conviction could. For instance, you could see the revocation of a professional license. Losing your driver’s license could also impact your ability to maintain a job that requires travel.
What Factors Determine the Cost of a DWI Conviction?
Several factors directly impact the financial, legal, and personal costs of a DWI conviction. Key considerations include:
- Prior Convictions: Previous DWI offenses can elevate charges to higher levels, resulting in more severe penalties. In Minnesota, repeat offenses within a 10-year lookback period often lead to harsher sentences, higher fines, and longer license suspensions.
- Accidents and Restitution: A DWI involving a motor vehicle accident increases costs significantly. Beyond fines and court fees, you may owe restitution for the other driver’s repair costs, medical bills, or other out-of-pocket expenses, even if they have insurance.
- Injuries: Cases involving injuries often carry steeper fines and harsher penalties under Minnesota law. You may also face increased restitution costs if the injured party requires extensive medical care.
- Children in the Vehicle: Having children in the vehicle during a DWI arrest often results in heavier fines, extended jail time, and additional penalties under child endangerment laws.
Each of these factors influences the overall cost of a DWI conviction, making skilled legal representation critical to reducing financial and legal burdens.
Avoiding the Costs of a DWI in Hennepin County
For the most part, the only way to avoid the costs of a DWI in Hennepin County is to beat the charges. There are multiple ways a DWI case could end in your favor. Following an arrest, the best-case scenario is to have your case dismissed by the prosecutor. This outcome ends your case without the need of facing a risky trial.
Dismissals are never guaranteed and usually require a strong defense. The strongest defense options in these cases usually involve attacking the legality of the traffic stop or the accuracy of the chemical test.
Sometimes, the evidence against you is significant. Even a guilty plea could work in your favor if the negotiated terms are favorable. The attorneys of Gerald Miller could help you negotiate for a lower sentence or a lesser charge.
Ultimately, a favorable outcome in some DWI cases will only be possible by winning at trial. Going to trial might bring uncertainty, but an acquittal eliminates any possibility of a monetary fine or other penalties.
Discuss the Your Case with a DWI Charges Lawyer in Hennepin County
It is understandable if the potential DWI cost in Hennepin County feels overwhelming. For many, these costs represent an extreme financial hardship. Despite these challenges, some of these costs are avoidable.
By working with a skilled DWI Defense lawyer in Hennepin County, you could improve your chances of avoiding a conviction and the financial difficulties that come with them. Remember: you will not owe any court costs, fines, or restitution if you are acquitted.
The DWI attorneys at Gerald Miller are ready to aggressively pursue a strong defense on your behalf. If successful, your financial burden could be reduced substantially. Call us right away at 612-341-9080 to learn more and get a free consultation.
