DUI Costs: Fines are just the start of what you'll pay for dui conviction. Insurance-rate increases, legal bills, alcohol treatment and licensing fees will push the DUI conviction costs for a good driver to over 10,000.  In 2006 a typical DUI costs well over $10,000 after fines, fees and insurance cost increases, even if there was no accident.  These figures are taken from a New York study.

Bail. You may have to pay bail to get released. First offenders are often released on their own but repeat offenders often pay bail. Cost: $150-$2,500.

Towing. When you're arrested, your car is towed. That can cost over $100 a day for storage. Chicago charges $1,200 for the first 24 hours and $50 for additional days. If you don't get your car after 30 days, the city auctions it and sues you for the bill, if the car didn't cover the fees. Plus you still owe the lender. Cost: $100-$3,000.

Insurance. If you get a DUI conviction, it effects your insurance rates for at least five years.  Your rates will increase from double to quadruple for even first time offenders.  Include other insurance rates increasing also.  Auto Insurance increases alone over 6,000 dollars for 5 years for just a 100 per month increase as a result of a first DUI.  Rate increases possible of 400 per month or 24,000.  More convictions can raise the cost into the thousands per month.   Add life, health, property increased premiums you may have to pay. 

Legal fees. Some attorneys may charge as little as $500 to enter a quick plea.  But that is no bargain with all this at risk.  Real trials easily cost from $2,500 to $5,000, depending on the rigor and complexity of the defense.  Add the cost of experts. Just the attorney fees run $2,000 to $3,000 for trials for a first-offense case.  For felony DUI cases they can climb easily climb to $10,000 or more for some lawyers.  Reasonable attorney costs $2,000-$10,000.

Fines. Fines and court fees vary from state to state.  In Kentucky, expect to pay about $1,000 for fines, court costs and your education expenses for a 1st offense.   In Illinois the fine alone is 1200. Kentucky Costs: 2006 Service fees of 250 to 500 plus a fine Kentucky 1st time $200-500,  2nd $350-500, 3rd $500-1000 30 days min to serve, 4th $1,000-10,000 1-5 years in prison 120 days min to serve

Alcohol education and treatment.  Treatment programs vary in time, scope and extent. Cost: $350-$2,000. Here are the Jefferson County Substance Abuse providers.

License reinstatement fees. Once a driver has shown, by completing courses and treatment, that he deserves his license back, the state charges him for the reissue.  

Add the Miscellaneous costs Lost time, job reputation, etc. 

The DWI Office in Erie County, N.Y., estimates that a drunken-driving conviction there costs $9,500 -- if no one is injured and there's no accident.

Illinois' secretary of state says the amount is closer to $10,600 and that it would be nearly $15,000, on average, if people counted the lost income from all the hassles.

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