The Financial Implications of a DUI

THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF A DUÍ In the U.S., it is estimated that alcohol-induced traffic incidentS cost the public \ $51.1 billion and that is only for the monetary losses. 11 If you are facing a first-time DUI/DWI charge (not including injuring others, property damage, or other extenuating circumstances) HOW MUCH COULD IT COST YOU : LAW COURT COSTS FINES 3. PENALTY CHARGE Getting caught means getting fined, but it goes beyond just the ticket you receive at the scene. FINES $2,000. - PENALTY CHARGE NOTICE First-offender fines vary 16) by state. One of the highest is in Texas at COURT COSTS • $150-$2000 Not including your attorney, court costs can really climb. > Alaska charges more than $5,000 just for the plea hearing, and another $3.500 for the court case. (31 Bail generally ranges from • BAIL • $150-$2,500. je1 States such as Texas mandate a minimum jail stay - theirs is 72 hours to 180 days. 161 ATTORNEY FEES • Depending on your case, attorney fees may cost you anywhere between $2,000 and $25,000. INCIDENTAL COSTS In all 50 states, your license will be suspended, and you will be charged a reinstatement fee, usually around $250, 1) Washington: $150 (14] $250 Michigan: $125 (10) Reinstatement fees vary California: by state; some less $12514) expensive examples: Texas: $100 191 Not all states require a separate administrative hearing ADMINISTRATIVE to discuss the terms of (or to appeal) your license HEARINGS suspension, but those who do tend to charge for them. $200-$850 Washington charges Alaska charges $200. (15) $850. 131 TOWING $100-$1200 Costs vary depending on how far your vehicle must be towed and for how long it's been impounded. California charges a minimum of $190 Michigan charges $100-$200. just for the impound. 151 (10) Alaska charges a minimum of Florida mandates a $300. (31 10-day impound. i1 Overall towing estimates land $100 and $1,200. 2a) between ONGOING COSTS Even after you are done with court, there are still costs you will incur going forward, including: DUI Most states mandate that you take DUI classes. These may cost as much as CLASSES AND/OR $2,500. 1 TREATMENT Florida charges $245 for registration. 121 Michigan classes cost between $350 - $1,000, 1091 $550 Some states, such as California, make you go through treatment - to the tune of $550 or more, (5) SSSSS ENGINE INTERLOCK Again, the law varies by state - but if required, it could cost: DEVICES $25-$1700 $25-$200 to install. 1. 10, 121 OCT $25-$100 $1,700. 191 Alaska's monthly to maintain, 11. 10. 12) costs $500 COMMUNITY Some states mandate this. Florida requires 50 hours or additional fines of SERVICE $10 for each hour required. 11] The DUI Foundation estimates ADDITIONA the average cost of insurance INCREASED INSURANCE increases by $5,000-$10,000 in the 5 years following a DUI/DWI conviction. 1 All but 8 states require an SR-22 (extra liability insurance). Those that do not require one (yet): $5,000-$10,000 Minnesota Kentucky New York New Mexico ---- -- Pennsylvania (13] Delaware North Carolina Oklahoma You will be required to Texas requires you to carry an SR-22 for 2 years, ™ carry the extra insurance 015488 for several years after Washington State requires it for 3 years. 15) your conviction. Ouch! $9,000-$24,000 As you can see, the financial implications are staggering. A Texas Department of Transportation survey estimated that the total cost from arrest to conviction (without collision) ranges from $9,000-$24,000. 1 The Alaskan DMV lists the average cost at $22,000. (3) FYI - In Honolulu, where they have the highest cab fares in the U.S., your trip home would cost about $19.75. I TAXI It's still a bargain, compared to the cost of driving drunk! (16] Sources: {1]http://www.duifoundation.org/support/financial/ [2] http://money.msn.com/autoinsurance/duithe-10000dollarridehome.aspx?page=2 [2a] http://money.msn.com/autoinsurance/duithe-10000-dollar-ridehome.aspx [3] http://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/faq/duihtm [4] http://dmv.cagov/d/driversafety/dsalcoholhtm [5] https://www.mhn.com/static/pdfs/Driving_Under_the_Influence_Frequently_Asked_Questions.pdf [6] http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/documents/DL-7.pdf [7] http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/AlcoholRelatedOffenses.htm [8] http://www.txdps.state.txus/director_staff/public_information/pr081903c.htm (9) http://www.txdps.statetxus/DriverLicense/dlfees.htm [10] http://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/GRAPHIC_Ultimate_12_days_of_Christmas_and DUI [11] http://www.fihsmv.gov/ddl/duilaws.html [12] http://www.fihsmvgov/ddl/dui_prog.html [13] http://www.sr22insurance.net/statesthat-donot-requiresr22/ [14] http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/feeshtml [15] http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/dui.html [15a] http://www.dol.wagov/driverslicense/sr22html [16] http://www.schallerconsult.com/taxi/fares1.htm Cab fares-see chart