How Much Does a DUI Cost? September 2024
Contributor
Reviewed By Adam Ramirez, J.D.
Editor
Summary
- Most states allow judges to impose up to $1,000 in fines for DUI
- The costs of a DUI go far beyond court-ordered fines
- Other potential costs include lost income and higher insurance premiums
How Much Does a DUI Cost in Total?
Calculating the cost of a DUI depends on many factors, including:
- The state where the case happened
- Whether this is your first offense
- The severity of the offense, including whether you injured or killed anyone
Your total costs after a DUI may also depend on which auto insurance company you use, who you hire as your DUI lawyer, and whether you get sentenced to jail. In many cases, the fine is just a small factor contributing to the total DUI cost.
How Much Is a DUI Fine?
Your DUI fine will depend on whether you are a repeat offender. A first DUI conviction is usually handled as a misdemeanor offense, and associated fines vary by state. For example, the fine in California can range from $390 to $1,000. Similarly, a judge in Ohio can impose a fine of between $375 and $1,075.
Often, repeat offenders face higher fines—but not always. In California, for example, the fine remains the same for a second offense, although the jail time might increase. Ohio law allows for an increase in both fines and potential jail time. Fines in Ohio DUI cases can reach $1,625 for a second offense and $2,750 for a third offense.
What Is the Typical Cost of a DUI Lawyer?
In addition to paying a fine, you may decide to hire an attorney. The average cost of a DUI attorney will also vary depending on your location. However, you can expect the attorney to charge up to several hundred dollars per hour.
For example, The Florida Bar surveyed its members in 2022 and found that nearly 85% charge more than $275 per hour, and over half charge at least $350 per hour.
The legal fees you incur could account for a large percentage of the cost of your DUI, depending on how long you fight your case. If you take the case to trial, your lawyer might spend dozens of hours preparing for trial and presenting the case to a judge or jury.
How Much Does a DUI Cost in Increased Insurance Rates?
After a DUI conviction, the driver’s insurer will likely increase premium rates for liability coverage.
Insurers set premium rates based on perceived risk. Drunk driving is associated with a much higher risk of causing car accidents that result in property damage, injuries or death. In order to offset the higher chance of a large payout, the insurer will increase premiums in order to maintain its profits.
One analysis found that insurers raise rates by an average of 87% after a DUI or DWI conviction. Importantly, this analysis found that premium increases persist for up to five years in many states.
Worse yet, some insurers may refuse to insure you after a DUI conviction or raise the rates so high that you cannot afford insurance. This leaves you with few options. You can drive without insurance and risk severe legal and financial consequences, or you can give up driving altogether and pay for taxis, rideshares and buses.
What Are the Other Costs of a DUI?
You might incur additional costs and penalties after a DUI conviction, depending on your circumstances and sentence.
Supervision Costs
If the court sentences you to probation, it may require you to pay supervision fees to offset the cost of your probation officer’s time. These fees depend on your state but could range from a few hundred to a thousand dollars per year.
Rehab Expenses
Judges in many states have the authority to sentence DUI offenders to drug and alcohol treatment. This treatment is not free unless it is offered in jail. Treatment facilities charge fees that can run up to thousands of dollars per year.
If you have health insurance, including Medicare or Medicaid, your insurer might cover some or all of these treatment costs. However, uninsured patients will need to pay these costs out of pocket.
Income Losses
You might lose your job after a DUI conviction. Rideshare drivers, delivery drivers and truck drivers cannot work after losing their driver’s license. Someone who works in another field might lose their job after missing work to serve a jail sentence.
A criminal conviction, particularly one involving a felony for causing injury or death in a drunk driving accident, can jeopardize someone’s career. Contractors, doctors and lawyers must report criminal offenses to regulatory boards and risk the suspension or loss of their professional licenses.
Contact ConsumerShield to Learn More
The total cost of a DUI could be as high as tens of thousands of dollars. In addition to the direct costs of fines, you will incur legal fees and insurance rate increases that will add thousands of dollars to your losses.
ConsumerShield helps people understand their legal options. We also connect you with a lawyer who can advise and represent you. Contact us for a free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The fines for a misdemeanor DUI may run as high as $1,000. However, these fines may increase for felony DUI offenses involving drunk driving accidents, reaching several thousand dollars. Additionally, the penalties may increase if you have a prior DUI conviction.
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The cost of a repeat offense will usually be higher than the average cost of first DUI convictions. Many states increase the fines for repeat offenders to deter them from intoxicated driving. Repeat offenders are also more likely to receive jail sentences, resulting in greater income losses.
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It is estimated that a first-time DUI costs roughly a few thousand dollars in fines and legal fees. However, long-term expenses like increased insurance premiums and lost income could eventually eclipse these fees. For example, if the court suspends your commercial driver’s license after a DUI, you could lose your career.
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The costs of a DUI are usually higher for drivers over 21. Underage DUI cases may end up in family or juvenile court, where the fines and legal fees are much lower. If a driver is over 18, the case moves to adult criminal court, often resulting in thousands of dollars in costs.
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