What is a Minnesota DWI Bond?
DWI bonds in Minnesota are a type of surety bond that help ensure participants in the Minnesota DWI Ignition Interlock Device Program will abide by the rules of the program and not tamper with the device that is placed in their vehicle. They also help drivers who have been convicted of a DWI in Minnesota get back in their cars and on the road more quickly.
About the Minnesota Ignition Interlock Device Program
The Minnesota Ignition Interlock Device Program is for first-time alcohol offenders with an alcohol concentration of 0.16 or above and all second-time alcohol offenders regain their driving privileges. When a person is convicted of a DWI and meets these criteria, they may enter the program and have an ignition interlock device installed on his or her vehicle, which prevents a vehicle from starting if it detects a certain alcohol concentration level after the driver blows into a tube. The device is installed near the steering wheel and connected to the engine and must be used every time the car is started.
How Minnesota DWI Bonds Work
When a Minnesota driver signs up for the program, they may be required to obtain a DWI bond. These differ from bail bonds used to get a driver charged with DWI out of jail after they have been arrested.
DWI bonds provide protection for the state of Minnesota. The bond amount is usually close to the retail value of the driver’s vehicle, and the state can make a claim against the bond should the person who enters the Ignition Interlock Device Program tamper with the device or fail to uphold the terms of the program.
Should the driver complete the program, the bond will end and the driver will be able to get back into their vehicle and on the road after their DWI conviction and without going through the court’s vehicle forfeiture proceedings.
Obtain DWI Bonds in Minnesota
Minnesota DWI bonds may protect the state of Minnesota, but they are often required by drivers entering the program. They can also help you get back into your car more quickly. If you are in need of a DWI bond in Minnesota, contact the surety bond experts at The Patrick J. Thomas Agency today.