If you are convicted of drunk driving in the state of Minnesota, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle. This device measures the amount of alcohol on your breath, and it won’t allow the car to start if your blood alcohol content is above a predetermined threshold. In some cases, the car won’t start if the device detects any amount of alcohol on your breath.
You may be required to blow into the device at regular intervals
It is likely that the IID that is installed on your vehicle will require you to provide breath samples while the car is in motion, depending upon the length of the trip and other factors. If you do not provide a sample in a timely manner, there is a chance that the engine will shut itself off.
What if someone else blows into the device on your behalf?
You may face additional penalties if you willingly allow someone to blow into an IID for the purposes of operating it while impaired. Furthermore, the person who provides a sample on your behalf could face criminal charges.
Who pays for this item?
As a general rule, you will be required to pay to have an IID placed on your car, and you may also be required to pay to maintain it for however long you are ordered to use it. A criminal defense attorney may ask a judge to waive these fees if paying them would cause a financial hardship.
