Whether you really got behind the wheel of the car after having a few drinks or you have been accused of it, the cost becomes a rather expensive endeavor. In fact, it is not unusual for the typical DUI to cost around $10,000 by the time all of the fees, fines, bail, and insurance is paid.
That is if you are convicted, however.
While a conviction of drunken driving can place a negative mark on your criminal record and result in license revocation, it is the cost that serves as another deterrent to the act. Statistically in 2009, alcohol was involved in nearly 32 percent of the fatalities on the road. That is nearly 11,000 deaths and states have been making efforts to curb the number of deaths occurring each year.
Those that are charged go through a great deal of hassle and humiliation, but what they find really hurts them is the toll it takes on their wallet.
First, your attorney works to get you out of jail as quickly as possible so you can go back home. The cost of bail can be as little as 4150 or as much as $2,500. If you use a bonding company, the cost is going to be even more. This is if you are a first-time offender. Repeat offenders will have to pay more.
Second is getting the car out of impoundment. You may even have to pay towing costs. The longer the car sits in the impoundment yard, the more it is going to cost to get it out. The first day may cost a set amount and then every day after that results in an additional cost.
Third, your insurance premium is going to take a hit. Traffic violations raise the insurance premium for approximately 3 to 5 years. As for how much the rates increase by, they could go up to four times higher than what they normally are. There are some insurance companies that will drop a person just because they have an arrest. It doesn’t matter if they are convicted or not. This means having to find insurance somewhere else and that can result in a high premium. In fact, high0risk insurance can cost an additional $1,500 every year
Even after the insurance premiums lower, you will have to wait up to five more years without an incident in order to gain “preferred” status with the insurance company. This means you could wait 8 to 10 years for your insurance premiums to go back down.
Fourth, there are fines and fees that are associated with breaking the law. These fines and fees are in addition to any alcohol education and treatment you may need to undergo if convicted. Treatment can vary a great deal based on the extent and the scope of that treatment.
Lastly, there are the legal fees that are associated with the defense you need. The fees can vary based on the circumstances surrounding the case and what you would like to do regarding your defense. You call the shots, so what you do and don’t do is entirely up to you. What you can count on is your attorney using the law, your wishes, and any other relevant factors to fight for your rights and your freedom.
