A St. Paul DWI Defense Attorneys Advice on How to Get a Work Permit After an Arrest
In many jurisdictions, a person that is convicted of driving while intoxicated will see their driving privileges disappear for months or years at a time. During that period, they must rely on rides from other people or public transportation. This can have a debilitating effect on the employment or education of the person in question. The good news for St. Paul residents is that state law offers the ability for many drivers to qualify for a work permit following revocation of their driving privileges with the help of St. Paul DWI Defense Attorneys.
If a person qualifies, they could continue driving their vehicle under limited circumstances. These circumstances include driving to work, school, or for family purposes.
Of course, a work permit is unnecessary if you are able to prevail in your administrative hearing or secure an acquittal of your DWI charge. Fighting back against a DWI arrest might seem intimidating at first, but the attorneys of Gerald Miller are here to help.
Qualifying for a Work Permit
There are limitations on who qualifies for a work permit—also known as a limited license—following a DWI arrest. These permits are intended to for individuals who have responsibilities that require transportation. Usually, this means someone with full-time employment. Exceptions are also made for post-secondary education students as well as homemakers. However, it is not enough to prove that a person needs their vehicle. They must also meet other qualifications as well.
Some people are disqualified from obtaining a work permit in St. Paul. These options are reserved for first-time offenders, which means anyone with a previous DWI conviction will not qualify. This conviction must have occurred within the last 10 years to count.
Additionally, there are limitations related to a person’s blood alcohol concentration at the time of their arrest. To qualify, they must have registered a blood alcohol concentration below .016.
St. Paul DWI Defense Attorneys Could Help You in The Application Process
The process of applying for a limited license is simple and straightforward with the help of St. Paul DWI Defense Attorneys. It starts with an application for a driver’s license as well as the application fee. This is not the only monetary qualification, however, as applicants must also pay the $680 reinstatement fee. Without the reinstatement fee paid, the state will not agree to issue the limited license.
This process can occur at any time, but there is a waiting period that must be met before the work permit will be finalized. Typically, a person can get their work permit within 15 days of their revocation becoming finalized.
Work Permits and Ignition Interlock Devices
Another option that allows some St. Paul residents to drive following a DWI conviction is an ignition interlock device. These devices are designed to prevent drivers with DWI convictions from starting their vehicle while intoxicated. Supporters of these devices point to reduced rates of drunken driving when they are in use.
An ignition interlock device is essentially a breathalyzer machine installed into your vehicle by a professional. Once installed, it cannot be removed without authorization.
Unsure how an ignition interlock device works? Using these devices is as simple as blowing into a tube attached to the interlock device. The device registers any alcohol on your breath, and if your blood alcohol concentration is above .0 the vehicle will not start.
There are also additional tests known as “rolling tests.” As you drive, the vehicle will periodically require you to submit another breath test. This requires you to submit additional breath samples while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. The purpose of these rolling tests is to prevent a person from starting the engine of their vehicle and then becoming impaired.
If you intend to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, you are wholly responsible for the costs associated with the device. This starts with the initial setup fee, which is often as much as $100. What’s more, you must also pay a daily fee for as long as you have the device on your vehicle. Depending on the length of your revocation, this could be for years at a time. The daily cost of an interlock device is between $3 and $5 depending on who installs it, so there is a serious financial burden associated with these devices.
Consequences for Violating a DWI Work Permit
A work permit is a powerful tool for anyone dealing with the repercussions of a DWI arrest. These permits grant you important rights that could save your career or help you keep up with your post-secondary education. However, it is vital that you adhere to the terms of this license. The failure to do so could result in serious consequences.
There are different ways that you could violate the terms of your work permit. Any single violation could lead to consequences that make life more difficult for you, so it is important to take steps to remain in compliance.
The most common way to violate the terms of your license is by driving somewhere that is outside of the scope allowed by the state. For example, if you drive to a friend’s house instead of to work, you are using your vehicle for an unauthorized purpose. You could also violate the time limits associated with your permit. Usually, these permits limit the number of hours you can be in your car. If you are driving at a time of day that is not allowed by your permit, you could lose it.
Finally, violating traffic laws could also complicate things. Speeding tickets and minor traffic violations on their own won’t cost you your permit, but if you are ticketed while driving outside of the scope of your permit you could face consequences. You could also lose your permit and face additional criminal charges if you are arrested for driving while intoxicated while on a work permit.
If you violate the terms of your work permit, you can expect to lose your right to drive. Typically, your license will be suspended for 30 days or for the rest of your license period depending on which one is longer.
Avoiding Complications With Your License With The Help of St. Paul DWI Defense Attorneys
The ability to get a work permit or an ignition interlock device might make life simpler for many people who have been charged with a DWI in St. Paul. That said, they represent additional hurdles that will only cost you time and money moving forward. Your best option is to fight back against these charges and avoid the hardships associated with a DWI.
Your first option is to object to your administrative license suspension. If you demand an administrative hearing shortly after your arrest, you could fight back against the suspension of your driving privileges. This is important given that the failure to object means your license revocation would go into effect right away. An attorney that aids you in your criminal defense could also help you with the administrative side of your DWI case.
Ultimately, beating the criminal charges against you is the best option available. You could regain your driving privileges and avoid the other serious consequences that can come with a criminal conviction.
Beating a DWI case is never guaranteed, but an aggressive defense strategy could help. The attorneys of Gerald Miller could evaluate your case and advise you on the best options for fighting back.
Talk to St. Paul DWI Defense Attorneys About Your DWI Case
If you have been arrested under suspicion of DWI in St. Paul, you could be facing the imminent revocation of your driving privileges. Under the right circumstances, you could hold on to your right to drive as your case goes through the criminal justice system.
Worker’s permits and interlock devices can be beneficial, but they are not your best-case scenario. The best outcome following an arrest for DWI is always an acquittal. Whether you have your case dismissed by the prosecutor or prevail at trial, walking away without a criminal conviction could benefit you for the rest of your life.
The St. Paul DWI Defense Attorneys at Gerald Miller knows how important your case is. Our team will work tirelessly to help you build the kind of defense strategy that could put you in a position for success. If you are ready to give yourself the best chance at a favorable outcome in your DWI case, call the attorneys of Gerald Miller today for a free consultation.
