How much does a DUI Cost?

 

Below is a minimum list of fees and indirect expenses someone facing a first-time DUI conviction can expect to pay. Fees, penalties and expenses increase significantly if the DUI was ‘aggravated’, meaning: blood alcohol content level (BAC) was greater than .15, there was a minor in the car, there was an accident/injury, it was a second or third drink-driving offence.

 

1. Jail Fees

 

The longer you are sentenced to jail, the higher the cost. For a first offence in Arizona with a BAC of under 0.15, you can expect to be sentenced to 10 days in jail. 9 of those days may be waived if you agree to an alcohol/drug evaluation and sign up for a treatment program (see cost below).

 

2. Fines & Court Fees

 

In Arizona, you can expect to pay:-

 

• $250.00 fine plus a 84% surcharge (around $480 total fees)
• $250.00 assessment to the Arizona DUI abatement fund
• $500 to Department of Public Safety
• Probation fee of $20 per visit

 

3. Alcohol/Drug Evaluation & Treatment Program

 

As mentioned, a judge may commute some of the mandatory jail time required by the law if the defendant agrees to an alcohol or drug screening program, and then joins a treatment program. In many cases, these types of programs are not covered by insurance so the cost becomes a significant out of pocket expense.

 

For example, Valley Hope Treatment Center in Tempe, Arizona charges nearly $3000 for an 18- session, six-month Intensive Out-Patient program. The Center does offer payment plans, the minimum being $75/month. Each session lasts 3 hours and runs 3 times per week. The administrator at the treatment center we spoke to said that this program usually satisfies the court requirement but not always. Given this ambiguity, it is best to find out with the court in which you were charged which programs they formally approve.

 

You should also check with your insurance as to what programs, if any, they cover. Whether you pay out of pocket or not, this is obviously a huge time drain as well as a potentially very significant tax on your wallet, especially if you are like many convicted of DUIs who do not believe they have a drug or alcohol problem and so feel the program is simply a waste of time and money, but is the lesser of two evils when compared to time in jail.

 

4. Ignition Interlock Device

 

In many parts of the country, ignition interlock devices are mandatory for first-time offenders whether they were found guilty of an alcohol or drug DUI. Arizona Mobile Access Technologies in Phoenix, Arizona charges $80.97 per month for their interlock devices. They do not charge an installation fee, however there is a $50 removal fee. Pricing may vary by provider, so check your local Motor Vehicle Department’s web site for a list of certified installers. There can be additional fees and penalties for blowing over a .08 into the device, as it shows intent to drive while you were over the limit.

 

5. Alcohol Monitoring System

 

The court may order you to wear a SCRAM alcohol monitoring device if they feel you have a serious drinking problem and are likely to be a repeat DUI offender. This can also add significantly to your DUI costs. Probation Compliance, Inc. in Arizona charges $50 for installation, then $12 for every day you wear the ankle monitor, and require an upfront payment for installation and the first two weeks.

 

6. Bail

 

This can range from $250 to $2500 depending on whether there was an accident/injury, what your BAC level was at the time of arrest, and whether or not you use a bond service.

 

7. Towing

 

Some cities realize that towing expenses for those arrested for DUIs are a real money spinner, and have raised fees to extortionate levels. In Chicago and surrounding cities for example, you can expect to pay $1200 to get your car back and $50 per day over the first 24 hours to store the vehicle. If you do not claim your car within 30 days, it will be auctioned and the proceeds will be used to cover your towing and storage expenses. If the money raised was not enough to cover your bill, the city will come after you for the remainder in court.

 

8. Insurance

 

Perhaps the most serious financial consequence of a DUI/DWI conviction is the affect on a driver’s car insurance premiums. Some insurance companies will drop you altogether simply for being arrested for DUI. Others will refer you to their “high-risk” insurance department after you have been convicted where you will need to take out what is known as SR-22 insurance. Typically SR-22 insurance will run you 40-100% more per month than standard insurance. Factor in that you will need to pay the inflated premiums until you get you good-standing back with the DMV (normally 3-7 years), and you are looking at a huge added out-of-pocket expense as a result of a DUI conviction.

 

9. License Reinstatement Fees

 

In Illinois, the cost to get your license reinstated after it has been revoked is a whopping $500. In Arizona, the cost is $200 and you will need to show proof of SR-22 insurance at the DMV office.

 

10. Other Fees You May Encounter

 

Here are just a few of the miscellaneous fees you may come across depending on the jurisdiction in which you were charged:

 

• 10-$50 jail filing fee.
• $78 Victim Assistance Fund payment.
• $33 Victim Compensation Fund payment.
• $90 for the Law Enforcement Assistance Fund.
• $15 Brain Injury surcharge.
• $25 Victim Impact Panel assessment.

 

11. Unexpected Costs

 

Other indirect costs that can have a serious effect on your wallet include:

 

• Increased life insurance premiums
• Time off work
• Loss of job/inability to advance in career due to background check/lack of security clearance
• Loss of professional license, for example, if you are a doctor, pilot, stockbroker, or military personnel
• Depression/anxiety/lack of motivation

 

12. Legal Fees

 

Although hiring a lawyer is entirely up to you, it is advisable to meet with an experienced attorney to discuss your case, especially as many offer a free initial consultation. After you have met with a few different lawyers, you may decide that your case is strong enough to fight and that the best course of action is to retain an experienced attorney. This can cost anywhere from $2500 to $25,000 depending on how elaborate, involved and time-consuming the defense the attorney builds becomes. For example, going to trial is more expensive than settling (plea-bargaining) because not only do you need to pay for the attorney’s time, you may need to pay for expert witnesses, private investigators, private blood tests, and so on.

 

If you are someone with a significant amount to lose from a conviction, say if your professional status is at stake, it may well be worth shelling out for a top lawyer in the field to work on your case. If you are financially-strapped, and the most the lawyers you speak with feel they can do is reduce a few of the non-financial punishments, then it may not be in your best interest to go into debt to hire an expensive lawyer on top of the existing financial burdens bestowed on your from your conviction.

 

The best course of action is to consult with a couple of different attorneys to see whether it makes sense to hire one, given the money they may be able to save you in penalties, jail time, and stress. Most attorneys will be pretty up front about what they can do for you as their reputation hinges almost entirely on satisfied customers.

 

Ultimately, a first-time, non-aggravated DUI offence can cost well over $10,000 in direct expenses, and several thousand more in indirect ones. While this may not be a huge deal to some, to others it can feel earth-shattering. A good attorney on your side can help negotiate down penalties and associated fees, and also establish manageable payment plans with the court. Remember, defaulting on fees and fines can lead to even further legal repercussions, such as the court issuing warrants for your arrest.

 

It is essential therefore that you schedule your payments in the order of priority in which they need to be paid, and adjust your household budget to account for these new line items. Being well-prepared is the only way to ensure that your situation, as bad as it may already seem, does not get even worse.