By Law Offices | Felicia Yates & Associates
We are often asked what type of DUI costs, fees, and expenses a California defendant may be facing if he or she is charged, and if convicted of a first-time misdemeanor DUI offense. The best advice I can give
anyone as a DUI lawyer is as follows: If you are contemplating driving a
motor vehicle after having consumed any measurable amount of alcohol or
drugs - Don’t do it! Call for an Uber, Lyft, or traditional taxi ride,
designate a driver ahead of time, or simply spend the night at the
place you happen to find yourself that evening.
Having said all that, if you find yourself in the unfortunate position of facing a first-time DUI charge, I am going to breakdown the average prospective costs of being cited / arrested for same. A first-offense misdemeanor DUI for an adult, age 21 or older, with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher, are as follows:
If you are charged only…
- $350.00 Vehicle Towing & Storage [if applicable]
- $150.00 Booking and fingerprinting
- $2,500.00 Private Attorney’s Fees (for Court & DMV defense)
- 500.00 Forensic Toxicologist (to review BAC tests) [if applicable]
$3,500.00 POTENTIAL COSTS
If you are convicted…
- $390.00 to $1,000.00 Fines (does not include penalty assessments and fees)
- $575.00 Alcohol First Offender Class [if applicable]
- $125.00 DMV License Renewal (if DMV sustains suspension)
- $8,000.00 Estimated Auto Insurance Increases (over a ten-year period)*
$9,700.00 POTENTIAL COSTS
If charged and convicted…
$13,200.00 TOTAL POTENTIAL COSTS ($5,200.00 [Short Term] + $8,000.00 [Long Term]
You can see that this can make for a very expensive “night out” or “social drink.” The moral of the story, which you have heard many times due in large part to organizations such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), is simply, don’t drink and drive – no matter what! Not only is it a much safer alternative, it will also avoid a potentially costly impact to your personal finances. However, if you have been cited and ultimately charged with a misdemeanor or felony DUI, it is imperative that you seek the advice of a competent attorney, as the lasting effects of a DUI conviction can be very costly with respect to DMV licensing status, insurance, employment opportunities, family relationships, etc.
Since
everyone's case is unique to that individual and the specific
circumstances, you should consult with a competent DUI attorney to determine
your best course of action. Our office has expertise in this area of
the law, and we encourage you to reach out for a free consultation.
Attorney Felicia Yates has been practicing law for over 35 years in
California and may be contacted at (702) 817-4661, via e-mail at
attorneyfeliciayates@gmail.com, or via website at https://www.attyfeliciayates.com.
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