Exploring Civil Case Proceedings

DUI Dozen: Costs Of A Drinking & Driving Arrest

26 August 2015 by Becky Freeman

Getting arrested for a DUI can be costly, even if you don't get convicted. It's important to understand the various costs that are involved when arrested for a DUI, because not paying for them could cause you to be unable to reinstate your driver's license in the future. One thing that many people don't realize is that driver's licensing requirements after a DUI arrest are separate from the criminal court proceedings.

That means that even if your criminal charges get reduced or thrown out, you will likely still lose your driving privileges. Here are a dozen costs that you may incur following a DUI arrest, some of which you may have to pay even if you aren't convicted.

1. Lawyer. One of the first things you will be asked is whether or not you want a lawyer to represent you. Even if you know you are guilty of drinking and driving, it's important to hire a lawyer. He or she can represent you for the civil proceedings with the state in regard to your driver's license.
2. Bail. You may be required to post bail to get out of jail before your court date.
3. Towing service. After your arrest, the police officer called a towing service to pick up your vehicle. You are responsible to pay the towing service fees.
4. Impound lot fees. Your vehicle was towed to the impound lot. You won't be able to get your vehicle out of the impound lot until you pay the fees.
5. Alternate transportation. You may have to find transportation to the bank and impound lot to get your vehicle out. Some impound lots do not accept checks or credit cards for payment.
6. Court costs. You will be required to pay court costs, which is typically a list of various fees to pay for administrative duties.
7. Fines. The criminal court may impose fines, especially if you are convicted of a DUI. However, even if you are not given a DUI conviction, there may be fines for other things, such as reckless driving.
8. Restricted license. In many states, restricted licenses are given to people who have tested positive for alcohol with a breathalyzer. Restricted licenses allow them to drive to work and important appointments. You will need to pay for the restricted license, which looks different from regular licenses.
9. Ignition interlock device. This is a breathalyzer device that you will blow into before you can start your vehicle. You will need to pay a fee to have it installed, as well as monthly service fees while the device is in your vehicle. You cannot get this device in your vehicle until after you get your restricted license.
10. DUI classes. You will be required to attend DUI classes. These classes are not free. You may also need to purchase items for the class, such as workbooks and textbooks.
11. Higher insurance premiums. Your vehicle insurance company will likely raise your premiums when they find out you were arrested for a DUI. Of course, this is to be expected because DUI drivers are at a higher risk of causing accidents.
12. Reinstate driver's license. Your driver's license will not be reinstated automatically after you complete all the requirements of the civil and criminal proceedings. You will need to pay a fee to reinstate your driver's license.

In addition to those costs, you may lose work hours due to all the appointments you'll have and the classes you'll need to attend. If so, your income may be lower than normal if you don't have paid leave or any vacation time saved up. Due to all these costs, not to mention the embarrassment of a DUI, it's a good idea to hire a lawyer from a firm like Hart Law Offices, PC as soon as possible to help you navigate through all the costly requirements so you can reinstate your driver's license.

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