Costs of a first time DUI
In the United States, DUIs are the most frequently committed crimes. It is estimated that DUIs account for 32% of all fatal car accidents. Because of the dangers of drunk driving, strict penalties have been put in place for DUI offenders. For a first time DUI you could face jail time, loose your driver’s license, and pay large fines. Being convicted of a DUI will also increase the cost of your Auto Insurance. The total cost of a first time DUI in California averages around $7000. Below we will break down the costs of a DUI individually.
  • -Minimum Fine                      $390 to $1000
The fine for a first time DUI will range from $390 to $1000, but if you are convicted you will generally also face penalty assessment fees.
  • -Penalty Assessment             $660 to $1000
Penalty assessment fees can vary widely depending on the facts of the particular DUI case.
  • -Auto Insurance Increase     $2000 to $6000
After being convicted of a DUI, you will have to file an SR-22 with your insurance. This will cause your insurance premiums to go up. Some Insurance companies will not provide an SR-22 and you will be required to switch insurance companies.
  • -Towing/Impound fee           $200 to $1000
If you are arrested for a DUI, it is likely that your car will be impounded. Depending on the amount of time your car is impounded for, you can expect expensive fines in order to retrieve your vehicle.
  • -Court fees                               $600 to $1000
Court fees will depend on the time and resources the court spends on your case. These are the fees for a first time DUI with no aggravating factors, such as accidents or injuries. Depending on your individual case the cost of a DUI may vary. DUIs can affect your life permanently and can keep costing you money many years after a conviction. Hiring an attorney who understands the law surrounding DUIs and who has experience fighting DUIs in the courtroom may help reduce some of the fines associated with a DUI. The cost of an attorney can vary from as little as $250 in order to enter a quick guilty plea, to thousands of dollars depending on the time your attorney must spend on your case. If you would like more information on the consequences and penalties of a DUI, contact us for your free initial consultation. Costs of a first time DUI
David Chesley author David Chesley

David Chesley is a "superb" rated (10 out of 10), full-time defense attorney who defends high-profile clients against serious felony charges & has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, NBC, Fox, NY Times, LA Times, WSJ, Time & People. The firm has won Client Choice Awards for the past 10 years in a row. In addition to defending clients in Court, David, with the help of other attorneys at the firm, manages a staff of over 50 employees throughout the state, including over 25 full-time criminal defense attorneys. David has been careful to recruit only the best, most well-trained, and experienced lawyers from top-tier law schools, including former Judges and District Attorneys, with each of the firms' attorneys having practiced criminal defense and handled heavy felony cases for well over 20 years.