Introduction
A DUI conviction can be costly in many ways. While you may recognize the potential fines and legal fees that come with a DUI conviction, there are other costs associated with it as well. We will discuss five of these expenses to help you better understand how much a DUI conviction could cost you in the long run.
Fines and Penalties
Depending on your state’s laws, you could face hefty fines for a DUI conviction ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. These fines can increase if there were aggravating factors such as having an elevated BAC or causing an accident due to impairment.
Legal Fees
A DUI conviction typically requires the assistance of an attorney to navigate the legal system and present your best defense in court. Depending on the complexity of your case and the practice area of your lawyer, you could easily face thousands of dollars in legal fees.
Higher Insurance Rates
After a DUI conviction, expect to see higher insurance rates. This is because insurance companies see DUIs as extremely high risk and will want to charge more for the increased chances of you filing a claim. Depending on your insurance provider, rates can increase significantly. You may also be required to carry special SR-22 insurance.
Limited Employment Opportunities
A DUI conviction can also limit employment opportunities or responsibilities. Many employers are unwilling to hire someone with an impaired driving record as they may see them as an insurance liability if driving is involved in employment.
Loss of Driving Privileges
Lastly, a DUI conviction could lead to the revocation of your driver’s license in most states. The length of revocation will vary depending on the severity of your DUI charge and prior offenses, but it is not uncommon to face a 1-to-3-year revocation or even longer. For example, a DUI first offense in Nebraska typically carries at least a 6 month revocation, and most Felony convictions carry up to 15 years of license revocation.
Conclusion
A DUI conviction can be an expensive mistake with consequences that can last for years after the initial incident. With fines, legal fees, higher insurance rates, limited employment opportunities, and loss of driving privileges; the cost of a DUI conviction can easily add up very quickly.
