Cost of a First DUI/DWI Offense

It is estimated that a first DUI offense conviction can easily cost a driver $10,000 or more when all of the total costs, mandatory first offense DUI penalties, attorney fees, and fines are added up. The cost of a 1st DUI can potentially be even higher when the cost of a vehicle Ignition Interlock Device is included.

What are the initial costs and fines for a first DUI offense charge?

Upon a person’s being arrested for a 1st time DUI charge, you will first usually need to post bail which can range in cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars. However, the bail cost will be returned to you minus nonrefundable fees as long as you appear at your scheduled court date. A driver charged for a DUI/DWI offense will also have to pay towing and impound fees to get their car back, which is typically costs another $100-300 on average. For a person charged with first DUI offense conviction, determining how much a person will pay in costs of fines will come down to your arrest details of what took place, which we can help you with today in finding out what to expect your first offense to cost.

On average for a first-time driving under the influence offense, a driver can expect the cost to be into the thousands of dollars if convicted, including any additional the court costs. For example, the cost of the fines for a first DWI offense in a state such as Texas is up to $2,000, and can be up to $10,000 if there was a minor younger than 15 in the car. Depending on your particular circumstances of what took place in your arrest details and what state it occurred, we can help you online today in finding out potential defense options and what to expect it to cost for a first offense DUI charge based on your details.

What can I expect on average for it to cost for DUI classes for a first offense conviction?

For a driver convicted for a first offense DUI/DWI conviction, a person will be required to take a class on the dangers of drunk driving, and these required DUI classes will be an additional cost for the driver. The cost of DUI classes for a first-time offense can vary by state, but on average you can expect it to cost around $250 for a 12-hour DUI class, or in some circumstances be looking at $500 or $800 for a 10 to 15-week DUI classes for a 1st DUI offense. In addition, there can likely be an additional cost for drug and alcohol screening. Knowing what the mandatory guidelines are of what to expect in costs for DUI classes if your are convicted based on your arrest and state, is another reason to take advantage of having your arrest details examined free online through us today.

What are the cost of license fees after a first DUI offense

This again is an area that the cost can vary based on your arrest details and state, which is why it is so crucial to take advantage of having your arrest carefully examined online through us as soon as possible. However on average of what to expect it to cost if convicted for a 1st time DUI offense, your license will be suspended, possibly for 1 to 3 years. In order to get your driver’s license back, a person will have to pay a restoration cost fee. After reviewing your details, you can find out what the exact cost amount to expect for your own particular first offense DUI/DWI case.

What are the cost of attorney’s fees I can expect for a 1st offense DUI case?

The cost of fees for a first offense DUI case that is charged by a DUI attorney can vary by experience level, location and the complexity of the case. Some general estimates are a range of $250 for simply not fighting the case and entering a guilty plea, but can be $1,300 to $3,000 if you beat the 1st offense DUI charges in court. However if there circumstances such an property damage, or an accident with injuries involved, DUI attorney costs and fees can go as high as $25,000 for a complex case that involves injuries or bodily harm.

What can I expect my insurance rates cost to be after a first-time DUI/DWI?

A first-time DUI/DWI offense will increase your insurance by an average of about 20 percent. However, the precise insurance costs and rates can vary depending on where you live and your insurance company. For example, a typical California driver convicted of a first DUI offense charge can expect the cost to pay at least $2,500 more per year. Having your own unique circumstances of your arrest details examined online through us, can also help you in better knowing what to expect your insurance rates to be if convicted for a 1st time DUI/DWI offense. How long a person will pay a higher costs for insurance rates depends on the insurance company, but usually it’s not less than three years.

How much is the cost of an Ignition interlock Device for a DUI first offense?

An ignition interlock device (IID) records a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) and allows the car to start only if the driver’s BAC is below a set limit. The cost of installation for an Ignition Interlock Device ranges on average of $100 to $200, and monthly rental fees for the IID will typically range from $70 to $100 on average. The regular maintenance and calibration for the Ignition Interlock Device will also cost extra for the driver. Several states now require Ignition Interlock Devices after a first DUI offense conviction. Some states will suspend a first-time DUI offender’s license for set amount of time, then require the ignition interlock device be installed in all of the first-time DUI offender’s registered vehicles for a year,

What are some of the other costs of a first DUI/DWI offense conviction?

Some of the other long-term costs of a first-time DUI offense could increase the financial drain of a 1st DUI/DWI offense higher than $15,000. In a worst-case scenario after a first drunk driving conviction, a person will lose their job, and this is particularly so if the occupation requires driving or a CDL license. Also, even a 1st DUI conviction could affect the status of your professional license to practice medicine or fly a plane, or enter other countries such as Canada.

Following a first offense DUI conviction, if a person is unable to get a hardship temporary license for work or school purposes that would allow you to drive to and from work while your license is suspended, a driver will have to factor in the additional costs for transportation. A 1st DUI could also significantly impact future employment prospects. How long a first DUI remains on a person’s record depends on the state, but in most states it will be permanent. It is important to realize that a potential future employer will be able to find a person’s DUI record information in a general background check, which many employers will unfortunately hold against a person despite their qualifications. This is another vital reason why having your arrest details professionally examined as soon as possible following a first-time DUI arrest, can get you the help you need in time by learning your potential defense options.

For the people who are fortunate enough to keep their employment after a first-time DUI offense conviction, they will even have more first offense DUI costs due to the loss of valuable work time by multiple court appearances, DUI classes, community service, counseling and possible jail time. When all of the expenses are finally accumulated following a 1st offense drinking and driving conviction, collectively the total fees will add up to be very expensive for the cost of a first DUI/DWI offense in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.