Let’s face it: a north Georgia DUI conviction can cost you lots of money. But how much? Well, according to a March 2011 MSN Money article, possibly much more than you had imagined.
MSN reports that a typical DUI in the United States can cost up to $10,000. How can this be? Let’s take a look at some drunk driving statistics in the U.S. for 2009:
- Almost 32% of traffic fatalities were alcohol-related.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 10,839 deaths that year.
- This number means that about one DUI death occurred every 48 minutes.
As a result of statistics like these, all states have been raising the stakes for drunk drivers. Georgia remains in the top three states in the nation for tough DUI policies, many of which will cost you loads of money.
Here is a breakdown of the MSN report for national average DUI costs for first-time offenders:
- Bail and Bailing Company Costs: $150 to $2,500
- Towing Fees: From $100 up to $1,200 and sometimes even more if your car is impounded for a longer time.
- Insurance Premiums: The average time it takes for DUI-related insurance premium increases to go away is from three to five years. It is possible for your policy to double or even triple, depending on your carrier. And some companies will simply drop you, even if you are not convicted, making finding new insurance very costly. The costs of increased premiums can reach $4,500 or more.
- Attorney Fees: Most people facing a DUI will want to find a good DUI defense attorney to represent them. This representation can begin at $250 for a simple guilty plea and go up, if your case goes to court.
- State Fines: In Georgia, your fines for a DUI can range from $600 to $1,000.
- Alcohol Education and Treatment: If you are ordered to get one or both of these, you could spend anywhere from $150 to $2,000. And that is just for the basics.
- Reinstatement Fees for Driver’s License: These fees depend on your driving record, but begin at $200 for a first-offense DUI.
- Ignition Interlock Device: You could even end up paying to have a special device installed in your vehicle to measure your BAC. In Georgia, this cost is $260.
If you are a repeat offender, the costs can soar far above these. and the costs in your employment security can factor in, too.
Fight your north Georgia DUI charges by calling the Law Office of Scott Miller in Alpharetta. It really is not an option to go it alone.
