In addition to any criminal charges for DUI/DWI, a state may assess civil (non-criminal) penalties against a person convicted of DUI/DWI. Civil penalties may include (1) thousands of dollars of fines; (2) suspension of the driver’s license; (3) requirements for additional insurance; (4) completion of alcohol rehabilitation/treatment and DUI/DWI intervention courses; and (5) installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) on the driver’s motor vehicle.

The laws regarding civil penalties for DUI/DWI convictions are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal code or criminal code.

In New Mexico (NM), civil penalties for DUI/DWI convictions are indeed separate from criminal charges and can be quite severe. Upon conviction for DUI/DWI, the state can impose various civil penalties. These may include hefty fines, which can amount to thousands of dollars depending on the number of offenses and the severity of the incident. The driver's license can be suspended for a period that varies with the number of prior offenses, ranging from six months to a permanent revocation for multiple offenses. New Mexico law also requires that individuals convicted of DUI/DWI obtain and maintain high-risk auto insurance (SR-22) for a specified period. Additionally, convicted individuals must complete a court-approved alcohol education program or treatment. Finally, New Mexico mandates the installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) on all vehicles driven by the offender for a period that extends from one year to the remainder of the driver's life, depending on the number of repeat offenses. These civil penalties are designed to deter DUI/DWI and to promote public safety on the roads. The specific regulations governing these penalties are found in New Mexico's Motor Vehicle Code, rather than the penal or criminal code.