A Driving Under the Influence (DUI) conviction is quite serious in our state, with consequences that can be life-altering in many ways. This goes beyond the criminal penalties imposed by the State of Illinois, too. Getting a DUI is also a serious financial burden, one that may end up costing you thousands of dollars when all is said and done.

What are the different expenses of a DUI, and what can you expect to pay?

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office estimates that each DUI costs around $18,030. The total cost of a DUI varies between cases, but you generally can anticipate some or all of the below costs we’ve broken down.

Court and Criminal Fees, Penalties, and Fines

The Illinois court system can impose several types of fines and court fees on anyone convicted of a DUI.

Court Costs

Illinois court costs are notoriously high. You can expect to pay approximately $750 in court fees plus about $250 for vehicle impoundment at the time of arrest.

Criminal Penalties

If convicted of a DUI, you will be assessed a hefty criminal fine. The amount depends on prior offenses, aggravating factors such as a high blood alcohol content, and whether anyone was hurt due to your drunk driving. You can expect to pay as much as $2,500 for a first offense and a minimum of $500.

If someone is hurt or killed as a result of your drunk driving, you can expect to pay between $1,500 and $25,000 in criminal penalties depending on the extent of the injury and the presence of aggravating factors.

Administrative Penalties and Fees

Even for a first offense, you will be required to meet many administrative requirements and pay the associated costs. This includes rehabilitation, vehicle ignition interlock devices, and driver’s license reinstatement.

Rehabilitation

You will be required to pay for rehabilitation programs, including substance abuse classes, counseling fees, and evaluations for the courts and the Secretary of State. This will cost an estimated $300.

Ignition Interlock Device

In most cases, you will be required to install a Blood Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) in your vehicle. Between installation, rental fees, and monitoring fees, you can expect this to cost around $1,400.

BAIIDs are also notoriously faulty and often break, leaving you stranded. You will be required to pay the repair costs any time your BAIID breaks – usually a minimum of $50.

Driver’s License Reinstatement

Once you have satisfied all requirements, the DMV will reinstate your driver’s license, and you will be expected to pay associated fees of $580.

Other Costs Associated with an Illinois DUI

In addition to the costs you’ll incur from the State, you will incur at least two additional costs in the form of high-risk insurance and lost income.

High-Risk Insurance

In order for your license to be reinstated, you will be required to carry high-risk insurance for at least three years at an extra cost of $2,000 per year.

Lost Income

You can expect to lose about four weeks of income if convicted of a DUI. You will have to miss work for jail time, community service, evaluations, and alcohol education classes. A DUI conviction may also compromise your employment prospects, so you could potentially lose much more than a month or two of income.

If you are facing DUI charges, be proactive by retaining a knowledgeable Joliet criminal defense attorney with a successful track record handling these types of cases as early in the process as possible. A good lawyer can make sure your rights are protected and maximize your chance of a favorable outcome. Get in touch today.

 

About the Author:

Douglas G. DeBoer has been fighting for people in and around Joliet since he started practicing law in 1993, but his history here starts even earlier. An attendee of both Joliet Catholic High School and Joliet Junior College, he decided to return to the area he knew so well to make a difference as a lawyer. For years he did this by serving as a prosecutor for Will County, working to secure convictions in criminal cases. Now he uses that knowledge to protect the rights of people who have been charged, working to get them the best possible outcome. His work has not only earned recognition from prestigious legal organizations such as Martindale-Hubbard, but also led to Mr. DeBoer being featured in the Chicago Sun-Times, on Fox Chicago News, and as an HLN legal analyst for “In Session.”