St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday steeped in tradition, from embracing Irish roots to dying the Chicago River Green. March 17th leaves many people with a new green shirt in their closet and some with a headache in the morning.
Make no mistake, law enforcement is well aware of what happens on St. Paddy’s day. There will be extra patrols on Minnesota roads tonight and this weekend. If you find yourself doing math trying to figure out if after eight beers in three hours it’s okay to drive home, there is some additional math you should consider.
The grand total of how much a DWI will cost someone is all but impossible to state with certainty. Every case is different. However, there are some specific costs that you can count on should you find yourself in bracelets.
- Fines
- Maximum fines of $1,000 to $14,000 depending on the degree of DWI (it is uncommon for someone to receive the maximum fine)
- Getting your license back
- $680 reinstatement fee
- $25 application for a new Class D license
- Roughly $150 per month if you go on Ignition Interlock
- Roughly $350 filing fee if you plan on fighting the license revocation plus attorney fees
The bad news is that these specific costs are probably the least of your worries. The other costs you could face can range wildly, including:
- Attorney Fees
- Forfeiture of your vehicle
- Chemical dependency evaluation, classes, and treatment
- Loss of your job
While we cannot tell you with certainty how much a DWI will cost you, we can guarantee that it will cost more than a cab ride home.