If you are arrested and subsequently convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol you will pay DUI fines, but you will also quickly realize the "cost" to you goes far beyond a fine.
More Than Court Fees
Many states have extremely stiff penalties for DUI/DWI offenders, which escalate rapidly with repeat offenses or if someone was killed or injured by you in an accident. Most fines are punitive in nature, and intended to be financially painful enough so as to deter an offender from drinking and driving again. As an example, in Massachusetts even first time offenders can be fined up to $5,000 and repeat offenders can be assessed fines of up to $25,000 or even $50,000.
Beyond A Fine
When you are convicted of a DUI, in most states you are responsible for court costs but you will also often have to pay for:
- Attorney Fees - Even if you use a public defender, if you are convicted you will be expected to pay the attorney fees in most states.
- Ignition Interlock Device - If you are mandated to have one of these installed, it is done at your expense. Depending on the vendor that is authorized by your state, expect it to cost up to several hundred dollars to install and then expect to pay a fee when you have to take your car in to have the information downloaded from the unit. (In Florida, you would pay $70 for installation plus a $12 fee and $72.50 per month for monitoring, calibration and insurance on the unit - which can add up quickly to hundreds of dollars if you are sentenced to using one of these devices for a year or more.)
- Court Ordered Treatment Programs - many states will require you to reimburse for the cost of alcohol treatment programs, particularly those that are in-patient. Costs vary by type of program, state, and length of stay but this can easily add hundreds of dollars to your bill.
- Restitution - if someone has been injured in an accident you caused, or you caused property damage you could be required by the courts to pay restitution to your victims.
Court ordered fines and payments that are related to convictions such as a DUI are not dismissed in bankruptcy proceedings, so should you file bankruptcy while still owing court ordered fines be aware that they will survive a bankruptcy and you will still have to pay them.
Consequences
There are penalties associated with a DUI, and then there are the consequences of those penalties which can affect not only your life, but the lives of your family members:
- If your job requires driving, you could lose your job for a suspended license
- If you go to jail, you could lose your job
- If you receive benefits such as Social Security Disability, your payments can be suspended while you are on jail
- If you are a student, you can lose your financial aid
- When your license is restored, car insurance will be more expensive for you
- In some states, DUI convictions remain on your record for life
Get Legal Help
If you have been arrested for DUI, contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. DUI charges, even with a positive BAC over the legal limit can be vigorously defended. The DUI laws in most states are complex, and you will need an experienced attorney to represent your rights and plan an effective defense.
