A DUI Arrest Could Cost You $10,000
MSN Money reports that the total cost of a DUI could run into five figures. Your fine is just the beginning. Costs for a DUI may include: Bail ($150 - $2,500), Towing ($100 - $1,200), High-risk insurance ($4,500 or more), Legal fees ($2,000 - $25,000), Fines ($300 - $1,200), Alcohol evaluation ($181 in Colorado for example), Alcohol evaluation and treatment ($250 - $2,000 for basic treatment), License reinstatement fee ($60 - $250), Miscellaneous fees ($200 and up). You may also suffer penalties outside of the legal system, like losing your job.
Legal fees reported by MSN Money represent fighting your DUI charge. Simply pleading guilty can cost as little as $500 in attorney fees. Pleading guilty, however, may not save you from bail, towing, fines, and alcohol evaluation and treatment costs. If a conviction would amount to a repeat DUI offense, hiring an experienced DUI lawyer may be important.