You've been pulled over and arrested for DUI. Fortunately, you didn't crash, damage any property, or hurt anybody. One of the biggest concerns facing you now is financial. A routine DUI without any damage or injury is very expensive. Let's break down how much this is going to cost.
Thinking of Drinking and Driving?
Check your bank account first.
Do you have an extra
$7,000-$20,000 handy?
That's what you will spend if you are arrested for a routine DUI. In fact, the average cost of a DUI in Maryland is around $15,000.
Three of the bills you will pay are variable. At their low end, each is very expensive.
| Variable Costs |
Reason |
Range |
Why it Varies |
Fine |
$390 - $2,000 |
A mixture of the circumstances of your case and the personal decision of your Judge. |
Attorney Fees |
$500 - $10,000 |
Lawyers charge higher prices in highly populated areas. Quality is a huge factor in price too! |
Insurance Rate Increases |
$3,600 - $6,600 |
A DUI will increase your rates significantly for at least 3 years. |
Total |
$4,490 - $18,600 |
But wait, there's more! |
There is also a list of smaller Standard fees and bills you have to pay which add up considerably.
Different states will have different fees with the same re$ults.
Standard Costs |
Fee |
Cost |
Penalty Assessment |
$666
|
State Restitution Fund |
$100
|
Alcohol-Abuse Education Fund |
$50
|
Blood or Breath Testing Fee |
$37
|
Jail Cite and Release Fee |
$10
|
Driving/Alcohol Awareness School |
$500
|
License Reissue Fee |
$100
|
Towing and Storage |
$187
|
Total |
$1,650 |
This all adds up to a grand total of between $6,140 and $20,250!!
Thinking of Drinking and Driving? Check your bank account first. Can you afford it?
But Wait ... There's More!
In Maryland and in ten other states and many individual counties, you also get to pay for an Ignition Interlock Device to be installed in your vehicle and monitored.
At around $100 installation and $60/month monitoring/calibration for a year, you can add yet another $800 or so to all of the above.
Remember, these costs are from a so-called routine DUI. If you have damaged your vehicle or any property, or if you have injured or killed someone, the costs as we have outlined them here become a small fraction of what you will pay. Can you afford it?
For even more detailed information about fines and licensure restrictions, check out this PDF:
Maryland's DUI / DWI Laws
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