When you are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), you can face serious penalties and fines. However, what most people don’t know is that DUI convictions often come with hidden costs beyond the fines and jail time. In this article, we help you understand these additional costs and what the cost of a DUI conviction could include.
How Much Does a DUI Cost in Phoenix?
Getting a DUI in Phoenix is expensive. While the cost can range between $7,000 and $11,000 for a first-time offense, it can exceed $20,000 for repeat offenders, depending on the circumstances. These costs can quickly add up when you consider everything involved, including court fines ($1,250), mandatory alcohol screening and classes ($500), legal representation, potential lost wages, and increased insurance premiums.
For first-time offenders, you may also face at least 10 consecutive days in jail, which can affect your employment and create additional financial strain. Let’s have a detailed look at the real hidden costs of DUI convictions in Phoenix.
Cost of Court-Ordered Classes
Once you are convicted of a DUI offense in Phoenix, the judge will order you to attend a specific number of hours in alcohol awareness classes. This is usually a requirement before you can obtain your license. While the classes are part of the penalty process, they result in additional costs that can total up to thousands of dollars.
Ignition Interlock Device Expenses
The judge may order you to have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle if you are convicted of a DUI offense. Once the device has been installed, a driver cannot blow over a certain BAC level. If you blow over the set BAC limit, the car will not start. The cost of installing ($100-$200) and maintaining ($70-$100) this device can be extremely expensive, especially if the court has ordered it to be in your car for a prolonged period.
Cost of Transportation
When facing a DUI conviction in Phoenix, you will typically lose your driver’s license for some time. For first-time offenders, your driver’s license will be suspended for a minimum of 90 days, during which you cannot drive for the first 30 days before qualifying for a restricted license to travel to work, school, or treatment programs for the remaining 60 days. This means that you may have to rely on public transportation such as buses, taxis, metros, or trains. If you have to travel on a day-to-day or regular basis, these costs can add up quickly.
Increased Insurance Rates
Oftentimes, insurance companies increase premiums for a convicted person. In addition, the cost of a DUI conviction could include a requirement to carry high-risk insurance for at least three years after becoming eligible for reinstating your driver’s license. Since these are additional costs, the increased insurance premiums can prove to be quite expensive.
Lost Wages from Lost Employment
A DUI conviction will usually appear on your criminal record. The result of this is that convicted individuals run the risk of losing employment at their current workplaces, especially those that do not tolerate criminal records with convictions. Furthermore, these convictions can make it extremely difficult for individuals to obtain other jobs. Even if you still keep your job, you will end up missing workdays to attend court dates and scheduled treatments. Depending on how long your case continues, this could result in additional expenses.
Seek Legal Representation to Reduce the Cost
The DUI attorneys at Schill Law Group understand the strict DUI laws in Arizona and the complexities of the resulting convictions. We are here and ready to provide exceptional representation for your case, ensuring you get the best possible outcome and avoid as many unnecessary expenses as possible.. Reach out to our firm today by calling (480) 680-7432 and let us help you protect your record.
