4 Financial Consequences Of A DUI Conviction

Being involved in a ‘driving under the influence’ or ‘DUI offense’ can be an overwhelming experience.

DUI refers to an offense of operating or maneuvering a vehicle while being under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating drugs that renders the driver incapable of operating a car safely.

Since it’s one of the common causes of road accidents, DUI is considered a criminal offense that comes with serious legal consequences.

It’s important to note, however, that a DUI conviction has other consequences other than getting imprisoned. These are the ones that can significantly affect your finances by paying several hundred to thousands of dollars following a judgment or a ruling.

As per the information provided in this link, eslingerlawfirm.com/, you’ll need a personal injury lawyer to help you through the entire legal process smoothly.

If you want to know the possible cost of a DUI offense, the following are examples of DUI conviction financial losses that you may want to know:

 

1. Fees And Fines

You may have to pay hefty fees and fines as part of the court judgment. However, it depends primarily on the state where you’ve been convicted of a DUI offense.

The court may order you to settle some fines which may range from USD$500 to USD$2,000—calculated depending on some circumstances such as the gravity of the offense, blood alcohol levels, and many more.

Also, you may have to shoulder the bail costs, court costs, and attorney’s costs. When you’re ordered by the court to undergo treatment and other diversionary programs, you should be prepared for the payment of administrative fees which may still cost several thousands of dollars when computed.

As you can see, a DUI convicted comes with a lot of fees and fines.

Thus, if you don’t want to end up paying a lot of money, it’s best to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney like the ones from DWI Guy among other law firms in the country. They may evaluate your case, comes with a solid defense strategy, and religiously defend you.

 

2. Loss Of Income

Another financial impact of a DUI conviction is potential income loss. This is especially true if your job requires you to have a valid driver’s license or a clean driving record, such as being a driver of a commercial vehicle, a company vehicle, and the likes.

In short, when your driver’s license has been suspended or revoked due to being found guilty of driving under the influence, you may have to lose a considerable amount of money, resulting in further financial problems.

Moreover, a DUI conviction might also affect your ability to get a job. That’s because some companies have a policy prohibiting the employment of applicants with criminal records and misdemeanors.

 

3. Insurance Costs

Conviction due to a DUI offense could mean spending more money for the increased auto insurance premiums. In most cases, driving under the influence conviction may make it financially hard for you to obtain the necessary insurance coverage.

For example, if your driver’s license has been revoked, you may have to present proof that you have an SR22 insurance policy in order to get your license reinstated.

Unfortunately, most SR22 insurance policies are more costly than you expect them to be.

Since the insurance companies treat drivers with DUI convictions as high-risk, they may end up further inflating your insurance premiums, making it more difficult for you to cover the required payments.

 

4. License Reinstatement Fees And Transportation Costs

If you’re looking to reinstate your driver’s license, one of the requirements you need to comply with is the payment of fees. You have to apply to the designated regulating government agency before you can get your license back.

And just like other applications, you will pay for the processing fees and other related expenses.

Moreover, getting convicted of DUI may cost you some transportation problems. Due to the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, you’re prohibited to operate a vehicle on the road for a certain amount of time.

During this time, you may have to use alternative modes of transportations which mean regularly paying for public transport, taxis, and other ride services. Unluckily, these costly transportation expenses may add up to your budget.

 

Wrapping Up

With the information mentioned above, it’s clear how a DUI conviction can change your financial situation and even make it worse.

Hence, if you’re being charged with a DUI offense, it’s practical to get legal help. You may be able to improve you’re the status of your case by hiring a criminal defense attorney.

With a criminal defense attorney on your side, you can become more confident in making a decision which can potentially help you reduce the cost of your DUI conviction.

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