DUI Fines

No matter which state you live in, paying a fine is one part of the sentence you will receive if convicted of driving under the influence (DUI). The purpose for imposing a fine on a DUI offender is to punish and deter him or her from committing the crime in the future.

The amount of your DUI fines is determined by the criminal court in which you are tried. There are many factors that affect your fines, such as whether you have had a prior conviction, as well as the state or jurisdiction where you were charged.

Besides fines, you may be sentenced to jail time, probation, community service, and a driver’s license suspension or revocation. The judge may also order you to complete a drug and alcohol program and “DUI School.” These additional requirements must be paid for at the offender’s expense; however, in some cases completing these programs will lead to reduced fines.

Fines and other DUI penalties may be greater depending on a number of factors. For example, having an extremely high blood-alcohol content (BAC), transporting a minor, traveling at high speeds, causing an accident, or refusing to take a breath test will lead to an enhanced sentence. If the offender has a prior DUI conviction on his or her record, this also affects sentencing.

DUI fines are determined based on the jurisdiction as well as the circumstances of the case. Some states impose fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 for a first offense. Repeat offenders may be fined up to $15,000, depending on state.

Criminal court is not the only place where a DUI offender can receive fines. The department of motor vehicles in your state may also have the ability to impose fines. In addition to these fines, the defendant should also consider the cost of hiring a good defense attorney, court costs, and other related expenses.

You may also begin paying higher insurance premiums as a result of your DUI conviction. Your conviction is noted on your DMV record, which is accessed by your insurance company. When your company discovers this conviction your coverage could even be dropped.

Do you have questions about DUI fines? If so, it is important to hire an experienced DUI defense attorney immediately. Your attorney may be able to find a way to reduce your penalties, including your fines.