There are already many, many different consequences that someone who is accused of driving under the influence must face. There’s the possibility of jail time; the definite loss of license; the possibility of ignition interlock, or special license plates that signify a DUI offender; and plenty of other potential consequences. All of these consequences have a certain financial element too them — but there are also outright financial penalties for a DUI offender.
So what are these penalties, and how much can a person with a DUI expect to pay for their offense? Before we dive into the penalties and the numbers, it’s important to realize that every case is unique and every state is different. The laws that apply in Minnesota may not apply in the same way (or at all), in another state, just as a DUI offender in Minnesota may have completely different personal circumstances, and a completely different circumstances involved in his or her case, to someone in a different state.
These varying factors and elements matter greatly when considering the financial impact of a DUI on an individual — but, in general, these are some costs that a DUI offender could face:
- Bail could cost around $100 or as much as thousands of dollars.
- Your car being towed and impounded will likely run you for at least $100, and more likely climbing towards (or exceeding) $1,000.
- Your court fees and penalties associated with your offense could cost thousands of dollars.
- Ignition interlock devices have a fee associated with them which could cost $500 to $1,500.
- Your insurance premiums will jump sky high, and you can expect to pay thousands of dollars more on your policy over the course of the next few years.
- And then there are the indirect costs, such as missing time from work because of your legal obligations, or having to pay for other forms of transportation.
Source: BACtrack, “The High Cost of a DUI,” Accessed May 7, 2015
