Non-Judicial Penalties for DWI in Missouri
Also Titled "What Does it Really Cost to
Plead Guilty"
We have discussed the judicial and administrative
expenses and penalties in DWI cases. Now let's look at some of the
non-judicial costs of a DWI.
CAR INSURANCE: Your car insurance rates
depend on, among other things, what kind of a car you drive, your
age, and your driving record. Most insurance companies will only
look at the past three years of your driving record. However, some
go back five years. A DWI on your driving record could double or
triple your insurance premiums. Some insurance companies will drop
you as a customer and refuse to insure you, especially if you have
had other traffic tickets or DWI's.
A DWI on the driving record
of one member of a household can affect the premiums of every
other member of that household. Insurance
companies insure vehicles and not people. They assume it is likely
that members of the same household may drive each others cars.
Thus,
one "high-risk" driver may raise the insurance rates
of other members of a household.
If you currently have a car insurance policy, they may not find
out about a DWI, at least not immediately. Many insurance companies
do random driving record checks. If you pay your premiums on time
and don't make any waves, you may increase your chances of going
by undetected for awhile.
CAR RENTALS: Many car rental companies
are beginning to run driver's license checks on prospective customers
in an effort to minimize their losses and to avoid lawsuits. If
you have a DWI or multiple traffic infractions on your driving record,
it could make it hard to rent a vehicle. It is also impossible to
rent a car without a driver's license.
EMPLOYMENT: Some employers are screening out job
applicants by pulling their criminal and/or driving records. These
items are public records. A driver in the transportation industry
will be subject to annual and random driving record checks by both
his employer and the employer's insurance carrier. If a DWI pops
up, that person's job is usually terminated. This kind of screening
is done on everyone from pizza delivery drivers to school bus drivers.
It does not matter whether the DWI was received off the job.
Further, if you have a job that requires you to drive or have transportation
(i.e., sales) even a thirty day suspension could cost you your job.
Also, as everyone knows, most job applications ask about criminal
convictions.
TRANSPORTATION: Alternate means of transportation
during a period of suspension can add up quickly. Taxi's and buses
get expensive when used on a daily basis. There is also the strain
put on personal relationships when an adult has to be driven to
and from work and activities by friends and loved ones.
SCHOOL: Most universities take a serious
look at criminal records or substance abuse problems when considering
an application for entrance to the school. Further, scholarship
or grant eligibility may be greatly diminished and existing grants
can be taken away for substance abuse or legal problems.
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES:
Inherent in a conviction for DWI are incidental expenses that mount
up quickly. Here are a few examples: If convicted of a DWI, or if
granted a SIS, the judge will require that you attend SATOP. This
will usually run at least $200.00. While on probation you may have
to pay a monthly monitoring fee to the counselor or another agency
of between $10 and $20.00 per month. You will also be required to
pay for the random urinalysis or blood tests ($18.00 to $80.00)
and any treatment or counseling you are required to get. AA meetings
are free but time consuming. After a driver's license suspension,
you must pay a reinstatement fee to get your driver's license reinstated
($45.00) and retake the written driver's test.
TRAVEL: Some countries, particularly
Canada, will not allow persons who have been convicted of a DUI
to enter their country. Canada will turn you away at the border
or at the airport. They have comprehensive access to the criminal
records of the United States and will run a background check on
you. When a conviction for DUI is revealed you will be sent home.
This is a major problem for those who intend to travel to Canada
for business, fishing or vacation. Other countries have similar
rules.
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to next document (Conclusion)
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to DWI
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