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In the state of Colorado, being convicted of DUI can be expensive. Between the costs of an attorney and going to court, along with the class fees, penalties, and other related costs, the total amount you must spend for a DUI conviction is significant.
Some say this is for a good reason. With drunk drivers being at-fault for thousands of deaths every year, the penalties seem to fit the crime.
To help reduce the incidences of drunk driving, many law enforcement agencies have increased the costs of a DUI conviction. Because of this, you may wonder – what is the actual cost of a DUI? Is it just a few hundred, a few thousand, or more?
The answer to this is – it depends. The fact is each case is unique and impacts the true cost of the DUI. Regardless of the facts of your case, you can rest assured that it’s going to put a rather significant dent in your wallet.
Here you can learn more about the factors that impact the cost of your DUI and why hiring an experienced attorney from the Law Offices of Steven J. Pisani is a smart move.
What you must pay to resolve your DUI situation and cover all the fees and obligations varies. If you are charged with DUI for the first time and don’t have much experience with the criminal justice system or know how to defend yourself, you may be confused about what to do next. However, our legal team is here to help.
The first time you are arrested for DUI in Denver, you can expect to pay (on average) $7,000 if you are convicted. Some people wonder why this is the case since the court fines for DUI are only $1,000 max. The reason that the cost of this is so high is that there are many other expenses and costs related to a DUI charge than just the fine you must pay when convicted.
The costs will start to add up even before you go to trial because you must pay things like bail costs, vehicle storage fees, towing fees, and more. If you plan to contest the suspension of your license before you go to trial, there are fees associated with that, too, which include a reinstatement fee for your license.
The true cost of your DUI will increase if you are convicted. Even first-time DUI offenders who don’t have a past criminal history may have to pay supervision fees for probation, a fee for law enforcement help, fees to the victim, alcohol and drug treatment, a PDD (persistent drunk driver) surcharge, and an increase in your insurance premiums.
If you have been arrested for a second DUI in Denver, the costs will likely be much more than a first DUI conviction. However, this is not always the cost since the initial fines are much higher. Instead, the amount of community service, education, and jail time will all contribute to the higher cost of a second DUI charge and conviction.
With second and subsequent DUIs, you will have to pay all the same pre-trial costs that you did with your initial DUI again. Car storage, DMV hearing costs, bail, license reinstatement, towing, and booking will still add costs to your charge. If convicted, you will also pay additional fees related to the increased consequences. For example, you must pay for someone to install and calibrate an ignition interlock device.
With all “hidden” fees accounted for, the average amount you will pay for being charged and convicted of a second DUI is around $10,000. If you experience a third, fourth, or more DUI, the fees will likely exceed $15,000. There are a few reasons that this will happen. The court costs are much higher, the fee for a conviction is higher, and there are more conditions related to sentencing like longer alcohol or drug course. Your bail will likely be higher, as well.
As you can see from the information above, even a first-time DUI conviction is expensive. If you plead guilty or go to trial without legal representation, it may cost you up to $13,000 or more.
One of the best ways to reduce the cost associated with DUI charges in Denver is to avoid being convicted. If you are convicted, then you will have to pay all these fees (in most cases) or more.
One of the best ways to limit the overall cost of a drunk driving charge is for you to avoid being convicted. If you happen to be convicted, then you must pay most of these things. Make sure you don’t plead guilty mindlessly for a DUI or some other criminal offense. Our legal team is here to help and provide you with the representation that you need to reduce the cost of your DUI charge and conviction.
We offer each client a free consultation to discuss their case and needs. Our Denver drunk driving defense lawyer will listen to your situation, review what you have been charged with, gather evidence, and help you figure out what you can do to protect your financial interests and legal rights. By hiring our DUI defense lawyer, you can save several thousand dollars or more.
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