When a law enforcement officer arrests you for driving under the influence and that arrest leads to a conviction, your finances may take a serious hit in the aftermath. The final expenses associated with your DUI conviction may vary based on your level of intoxication, where you live and whether you caused any injuries, among other variables.
What expenses might you face in the wake of a DUI conviction?
Bail, towing and impound fees
You should expect authorities to place you behind bars after charging you with a DUI. Once there, bail may cost anywhere from about $100 to $2,500, depending on circumstances. Once you leave jail, you may have to track down your car and pay to get it back. Towing and impound fees may cost somewhere in the range of $100 to about $1,200.
Fines
You should also plan to pay fines following a DUI conviction. In Rhode Island, most first-time DUI offenders face fines ranging from about $100 to $500, not including court-related expenditures.
Insurance and license reinstatement fees
Some of the expenses you may encounter in the wake of a DUI conviction are long-term in nature. Once you begin driving again, you should plan on paying much more for auto insurance than you did before you had a DUI. Before you regain the right to drive, you may also have to pay a license reinstatement fee, which may cost as much as $350 or more.
Substance abuse treatment expenses
As part of your probation, the state may require you to enroll and complete substance abuse treatment classes. While associated costs vary, you might plan to pay between about $1,000 and $3,000 to take part in these classes.
Additional expenses and totals
Other expenses you may encounter after a DUI conviction include possible sentencing or probation fees, attorney costs and community service-related fees, among others. After factoring in these expenses, most first-time DUI offenders find that their conviction costs them somewhere between $10,000 and $25,000 in total.
