What Can You Expect To Pay For Your DUI Charge?
Posted on: 30 October 2019
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If you get behind the wheel of a car when you are under the influence, there are a few things you should consider first. While you run the risk of legal trouble or even jail time, you also stand to owe a lot of money for your mistake. Your attorney's fees are just one piece of the pie. You can end up spending thousands of dollars for driving while under the influence. Here are some things you should consider:
Fines and Court Expenses
If you are a first-time DUI offender, you will have to pay a lot of money in court expenses. The first fines begin at several hundred dollars and up. You can also face additional monetary penalties that add up to thousands of dollars. If you are a regular DUI offender, you can spend tens of thousands of dollars in fines and court expenses.
Driving School Expenses
If you are found guilty for DUI, some states require you to attend driving school for a certain amount of time to get your driver's license back. Most driving schools take several months to complete, but this is based on how many offenses you have. The cost of driving school is different from place to place, and each school has its own tuition costs. Some driving schools can charge hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Impoundment Expenses
If your vehicle is still drivable after you are arrested for a DUI, law enforcement will impound your car, as you will not be able to drive it home. You are then responsible for paying the impound fees to get your car back. The fees will include the costs of towing the vehicle to the lot and a daily storage fee. Some lots may charge a fee to release the car to you as well. The final costs will depend on how long it stays in the impound lot. If you are in jail and you have no one to pick up the car for you, you can end up with thousands of dollars in fees from the impound lot. If you are not in jail or have someone who can get the car, be sure to do so as soon as possible in order to avoid the high fees.
These fees and expenses are only the immediate out-of-pocket expenses involved with a DUI charge. This does not include the extra expenses you may have regarding increased insurance premiums, time missed from your job, or paying for other forms of transportation.
To learn more, get in touch with a DUI attorney in your area today.