You might need to know the long-term impacts of a 3rd degree DWI if you have been arrested or charged with driving while impaired (DWI) in Minneapolis, MN. A 3rd-degree DWI conviction can affect you personally, professionally, socially, and financially. A DWI conviction carries consequences, such as paying huge fines, loss of income, paying higher insurance premiums, strained relationships, and reputation damage. Your driver’s and professional license may be suspended or revoked after you are charged or convicted of a DWI. You may also face a civil lawsuit, which costs you money in the form of financial compensation to the accident victim.
An experienced DWI lawyer can help you vigorously fight a 3rd-degree DWI charge to avoid a conviction and the long-term consequences that come with it. Call DWI defense lawyers at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys for dedicated legal representation if you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with a 3rd degree DWI.
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What Is a 3rd degree DWI Charge?
At least 1 in every 7 drivers in Minnesota has a DWI charge. A 3rd degree DWI charge applies to driving while impaired incidents where one aggravating factor exists. Examples of aggravating factors include a prior DWI conviction, an alcohol concentration exceeding 0.16%, or a driver declining to take a chemical test. Having a minor under 16 years in the vehicle at the time of the offense can also result in a third-degree DWI charge.
Exploring the Financial, Professional, and Personal Impacts of 3rd Degree DWI Conviction
Getting convicted of a 3rd degree DWI can take a toll on your financial, professional, and personal life.
Financial Consequences
DWI conviction can greatly affect your finances, as you may have to dig into your savings to fight the charge.
Insurance companies usually assess risks before issuing insurance coverage. Your conviction details may indicate your odds of getting into an accident are high. As such, insurance companies will consider you a high-risk driver and increase your premiums.
Sometimes, you might be required to obtain SR-22 insurance, which can be costly. You might be required to hold the SR-22 for several years, meaning you might have to pay more insurance premiums for an extended period.
Besides paying higher insurance premiums, you may need to pay a fine if convicted of a 3rd degree DWI. In Minnesota, a conviction of such an offense carries up to $3,000 in fines.
Minnesota may revoke or cancel your driver’s license for anywhere between 3 months and 6 years if convicted of a third-degree DWI if you hold a non-commercial driver’s license. The length of revocation for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) can be for the rest of your life.
The costs of reinstating a non-commercial license can be quite high, as you might be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) before applying for reinstatement. You might have to pay up to $680 for the license, and the IID may require monthly fees of about $150.
Before getting your license back, you might be required to undergo an alcohol education and treatment program that also requires money to be enrolled. Depending on how long the program takes, you might find yourself paying up to $3000 for treatment and an additional amount if you seek individual counseling. Failing to comply with alcohol and education treatment requirements may attract more fines and penalties.
If facing a lawsuit, you might be required to pay court fees that cover the whole legal process, including processing fees, filing fees, probation charges, and court surcharges. Cases involving injuries and property damage may require more, as you may be required to compensate the accident victim.
Professional Consequences
Getting convicted of a 3rd degree DWI offense can have long-term effects on your career and professional reputation. You might lose your job, as some employers require employees to maintain clean criminal and driving records. Your employment might get terminated if driving is one of your key responsibilities.
You might even be disqualified from future job opportunities, as some employers conduct background checks for potential employees. A DWI conviction on your record may make your employer see you as a risk or a liability. You also get disqualified from certain industries, such as commercial driving, government positions, and law enforcement opportunities.
Obtaining professional licenses and certifications becomes difficult, as some professions have strict license regulations. Truck and delivery driving, for instance, requires you to maintain a valid driver’s license. Additionally, a valid professional license is necessary to practice medicine and law.
A DWI conviction can affect your reputation in society. You could be perceived as an irresponsible person who can’t make sound decisions. Clients may terminate their business relationship with you. Remember, most clients prefer working with highly valued professionals.
Advancing in your career when facing or convicted of a 3rd degree DWI is also difficult. Many employers have strict policies on drug abuse and criminal convictions. They may disqualify you from promotions due to your criminal history and damaged reputation.
Networking may become challenging, reducing your access to important people and opportunities. It also gets harder for your social contacts to refer you to opportunities.
Personal Consequences
Getting pulled over for a DUI, arrested, and charged can impact you emotionally and psychologically. A conviction can cause guilt and shame, especially if you injured someone or were sentenced to serve some years in jail.
Having your driving license revoked or suspended and paying huge fines can be stressful, and you might experience anxiety or even depression. Your family and friends may be disappointed in your actions, leading to tension and conflict.
The driving restrictions imposed on you may affect your independence and mobility. It becomes hard to go to work, attend social gatherings, run errands, and attend other personal commitments.
A 3rd degree DWI conviction can also lead to social and public stigma. This can affect your social standing. People in your circle might even distance themselves from you, especially if your presence makes them uncomfortable.
Facing a DWI charge for the third time means you have serious alcohol problems. If the problem is not addressed early, you might have serious health issues, such as liver damage, sleeping disorders, and depression.
The Role of a Skilled DWI Defense Attorney in Minimizing Long-Term Consequences of 3rd Degree DWI
Hiring an experienced DWI defense attorney can help you minimize the long-term consequences of a 3rd degree DWI charge. The lawyer can do the following for you:
Challenge Prosecution’s Evidence
Your lawyer can offer expert knowledge and develop strategies that can challenge the evidence presented by the prosecution. For example, your lawyer can challenge the accuracy of blood and breath tests. The lawyer can question the procedures followed by the police during your arrest, especially if you refused a breathalyzer. The lawyer can also negotiate a plea deal that suits your unique circumstances, especially if the lawyer determines that you are highly likely to get convicted.
Mitigate Long-term Consequences on Your Career and Employment
An experienced DWI lawyer can negotiate with your employer by providing them with a character reference or trying to explain the incident. The lawyer can also try to protect your professional license by minimizing your chances of getting convicted. Your lawyer can explain how long a DWI stays on your record and when you will be eligible for expungement.
Help You Avoid Jail Time
Your lawyer can negotiate for alternative sentences instead of serving a jail time. Your lawyer can, for instance, convince the judge to put you on probation. Your lawyer can do this by highlighting mitigating factors in your case. These factors include being a first-time offender, cooperating with law enforcement officers, and enrolling in an alcohol and drug treatment program.
Protecting Your Criminal Record
A 3rd degree DWI will remain on your criminal record for the rest of your life unless the court grants your expungement request. Your lawyer will explore all defense strategies applicable to your situation to keep your criminal record clean. Some of these strategies include questioning the legality of the traffic stop, contesting the accuracy of field sobriety test results, and highlighting procedural blunders in your arrest.
Help in Appeals or Post Conviction Relief
Your lawyer can appeal on your behalf if there is new evidence or when he or she believes the court made errors when determining your case. A new trial may correct the mistakes, and you might get a favorable outcome. If the higher court upholds your conviction, your lawyer can request post-conviction relief, such as seeking early termination of probation or request sentence modification.At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, our DWI defense lawyers are ready and willing to help you fight your 3rd degree DWI charges. We will give your case the seriousness and attention it requires. We will focus on helping you avoid a conviction or otherwise minimize the long-term consequences of a third-degree conviction. Contact us today for a free consultation.
