DWI Court Costs

Did you know that if you are convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI), you not only risk spending time in jail and losing your license, but you could also face the long-term financial consequences of your conviction? Indeed, thanks to a number of DWI court costs, the total cost of a drunk driving conviction can be anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000.

Although the penalties for driving while intoxicated vary from state to state, it is not uncommon for convicted DWI offenders to be required to attend alcohol counseling and/or DWI school. Since these programs require additional enrollment fees, your conviction expenses will only rise from here.

What’s more, if the judge orders you to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle (a common option for repeat offenders), you will also be responsible for any installation, rental, and maintenance fees charged for using the device.

It is also important to remember that, if you are found guilty of drunk driving, your driver’s license will almost inevitably be suspended. As a result, you may have to pay for transportation—which can be quite expensive in many areas.

Finally, depending on the terms of your sentence, you could face further hardship due to the amount of time you are unable to work. If you have to perform community service or attend DUI school, for example, you will most likely have to request time off. Plus, even if these penalties are not part of your sentence, you will undoubtedly have to change your schedule in order to attend the countless legal proceedings required for your case.

Of course, once all of your fines are paid, you’re not in the clear yet. Because insurers are weary of covering a person who has been convicted of DWI, you can expect to be charged two to three times more for auto insurance if you are found guilty of drunk driving. Your life and health insurance rates are also likely to increase, if not be dropped entirely. And, since your conviction will remain on your criminal record for years to come, you may lose countless employment, housing, and educational opportunities as well.

So is there any way you can avoid all these DWI court costs? Well, while there’s no way to guarantee you won’t be convicted of drunk driving, obtaining legal representation can certainly improve your chances of obtaining a favorable resolution in court. In fact, with help from a skilled DWI defense attorney, many drivers are able to reduce or eliminate the charges against them and avoid many of the life-altering consequences of a drunk driving conviction.

To improve your chances of success, make sure you discuss your case with a DWI defense attorney in your area immediately.

States and Cities:
AK	Alaska, Anchorage	LA	Louisiana, New Orleans	OH	Ohio, Cincinnati
AL	Alabama, Montgomery	MA	Massachusetts, Boston	OK	Oklahoma, Tulsa
AR	Arkansas, Little Rock	MD	Maryland, Baltimore	OR	Oregon, Portland
AZ	Arizona, Phoenix	ME	Maine, Portland	PA	Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
CA	California, Los Angeles	MI	Michigan, Detroit	RI	Rhode Island, Providence
CO	Colorado, Denver	MN	Minnesota, Duluth	SC	South Carolina, Charleston
CT	Connecticut, Hartford	MO	Missouri, Branson	SD	South Dakota, Sioux Falls
DE	Delaware, Wilmington	MS	Mississippi, Jackson	TN	Tennessee, Nashville
FL	Florida, Orlando	MT	Montana, Bozeman	TX	Texas, Houston
GA	Georgia, Atlanta	NC	North Carolina, Charoltte	UT	Utah, Salt Lake City
HI	Hawaii, Honolulu	ND	North Dakota, Fargo	VT	Vermont, Burlington
IA	Iowa, Des Moines	NE	Nebraska, Omaha	VA	Virginia, Richmond
ID	Idaho, Boise	NH	New Hampshire, Portsmouth	WA	Washington, Seattle
IL	Illinois, Chicago	NJ	New Jersey, Newark	WI	Wisconsin, Milwaukee
IN	Indiana, Indianapolis	NM	New Mexico, Albuquerque	WV	West Virginia, Charleston
KS	Kansas, Kansas City	NV	Nevada, Las Vegas	WY	Wyoming, Cheyenne
KY	Kentucky, Lexington	NY	New York, New York	DC	Washington DC