The Minnesota government takes drinking under the influence seriously. That is why no one should drive after having even one or two drinks and that hiring an attorney is smart for anyone who is facing a DWI conviction.
According to the Office of Traffic Safety, the legal limit for most motorists is .08, but it is lower for commercial drivers. For drivers under the age of 21, there is zero tolerance and they may not drive with a blood limit of over 0.00. There are numerous costs associated with driving while intoxicated, and many of them are financial. Take into consideration legal fees, court costs, potential alcohol classes and increased insurance premiums, and this can add up to thousands of dollars.
Other consequences include possible time in jail and license suspension. For some, the court may order suspension of the license for a period of years, and this can be very costly in many ways. As an alternative, the state offers the option of installing an ignition interlock device, which measures your level of alcohol before the vehicle starts.
Perhaps you need your car to get to work but cannot afford an IID. The financial implications may tempt some to skip the device and drive illegally, but this would be a big mistake. As an alternative, according to the Minnesota Judicial Branch, some counties grant applicants financial assistance so they can afford the installation and monthly fees associated with this requirement. Eligible applicants are those who meet the income guidelines and have not yet installed the IID. This program pays for the entire installation as well as a portion of the monthly fees for up to one year.