The reason why many people are hesitant to hire a DUI attorney is a concern that legal services are overpriced. Many people believe that an attorney is too expensive to fight their charges and opt to just face the penalties of a DUI. This is not a smart choice.
Unfortunately, when making the choice to not hire an attorney, you will realize that this decision will cost you more money than you think. To make matters worse, you will probably realize this when it is too late. You’ve already lost thousands of dollars and you now have a criminal conviction on your record. Don’t make the expensive mistake of not hiring a DUI attorney. It is more costly to accept your charges and plead guilty than it is to hire an experienced DUI defense lawyer and fight your charges.
So, what makes a DUI so expensive?
The first obvious reason is the fines you are required to pay for a DUI conviction. Depending on the severity of your case, these could run up to $2,000. On average, you may end up paying around $1,000 in fees for a DUI conviction. Remember, by fighting your charges with the help of an experienced DUI attorney, you could wind up paying significantly fewer fees or not having to pay these fees altogether.
Let’s rewind to the time of your DUI arrest and think about the expenses you were required to pay. This all adds up to the amount you would end up paying altogether for a DUI conviction. You may have had to pay up to $1,000 in bail, plus up to $200 if your vehicle got towed.
And that’s not all!
Because of their proven effectiveness of recidivism and support from MADD, ignition interlocks are becoming a popular DUI penalty in many states. Though they allow DUI offenders to maintain their driving privileges, guess who winds up paying for an IID installation and upkeep? You do.
To install and calibrate an ignition interlock, will cost you up to $200 a month. Many first-time DUI offenders are required to drive with an ignition interlock for six months or even up to a year. This means altogether an ignition interlock could cost $1200 to $2400!
Another common punishment for a DUI conviction is alcohol education classes. As you may know, there are many types of classes you may be required to take. For most first-time offenders, an alcohol education class could be a minimum of 12 hours. However, there have been cases where DUI offenders have had to take classes for longer than two years! These classes can cost anywhere from $200 to $3500.
Although these are the main reasons why DUI convictions are so expensive, it doesn’t stop here. There are many other aspects of a DUI conviction that will continue to cost you money. One could be public transportation and cab fare. On average, a monthly pass for public transportation can cost anywhere from $60 to $100. Additionally, an average cab ride in the US could run you anywhere from $14 to $40.
Here’s another charge you probably didn’t think about. Auto insurance. Your auto insurance rates will rise exorbitantly once your car insurance carrier gets word of your DUI arrest. (They will get word of it. As you may already know, you are required to fill out an SR-22 with the DMV after a DUI.)
Finally, in order to get your driver’s license reinstated after your license suspension concludes, you will have to pay a fee that can run up to $200. Plus, depending on whether or not your DUI result in property damage, you may need to pay a fine for victim assistance.
As you can tell, a DUI conviction is extremely expensive to begin with. However, it is important to understand that a DUI will create other roadblocks that can lead to even more stress over your finances. First of all, depending on your line of work, your DUI could cost you your job and could keep you from finding a new job. Additionally, having a DUI on your record could keep you from being approved for a loan from the bank.
Given the financial difficulties many of us face on a regular basis, a DUI conviction can become more paralyzing than you may have expected. Hopefully, you understand by now that “just pleading guilty” is not worth the cost. At the end of the whole ordeal, a DUI conviction can wind up costing anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000!
If you have just been arrested and unsure where to begin, that is what 1 800 DUI Laws is here for! We can help you find the practiced and qualified local DUI attorney you need to effectively fight your drunk driving charges. Fill out this simple form and be put in touch with up to 3 experienced DUI defense lawyers today!