DUI Fines And Fees

If you get arrested for a DUI in California, you can expect to pay court fines and fees, as well as other expenses that come with being convicted or charged with a DUI. Court fines and fees vary and are calculated at the conclusion of the court case, but there are minimums and maximums for each offense. It's essential to understand the financial burden that comes with a DUI to help plan for the expenses you might face.

DUI Court Fines and Fees

The court fines and fees for a DUI conviction in California depend on the number of prior offenses on your record. The fines can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Below is a breakdown of the fines and fees for each offense.

1st Time DUI Offense

A first-time DUI offense in California can cost you a minimum of $390 to a maximum of $1,000 in fines. However, with additional assessments and fees, the total cost can reach around $2,000 or more. Some of the additional fees include:

• DUI criminal conviction assessment fee of $200
• DUI laboratory fee of $50
• Alcohol and drug education and prevention fee of $50
• Victim restitution fine of $100 to $10,000
• Court fees of around $240

2nd Time DUI Offense

If you get arrested for a second DUI offense in California within ten years of your first offense, you can expect higher court fines and fees. The minimum and maximum fines for a second DUI conviction are between $390 and $1,000. The total cost can reach around $4,000 or more, including additional assessments and fees. Some of the additional fees include:

• DUI criminal conviction assessment fee of $200
• DUI laboratory fee of $50
• Alcohol and drug education and prevention fee of $50
• Victim restitution fine of $100 to $10,000
• Court fees of around $240
• Probation supervision costs around $1,200

3rd Time DUI Offense

If you are arrested for a third DUI offense in California within ten years of your previous DUI offenses, you can expect even higher court fines and fees. The minimum and maximum fines for a third DUI conviction are between $390 and $1,000. The total cost can reach around $18,000 or more, including additional assessments and fees. Some of the additional fees include:

• DUI criminal conviction assessment fee of $200
• DUI laboratory fee of $50
• Alcohol and drug education and prevention fee of $50
• Victim restitution fine of $100 to $10,000
• Court fees of around $240
• Probation supervision costs of around $1,200
• Installation and maintenance of an ignition interlock device, which can cost around $2,000 for two years
• Attendance at a mandatory DUI treatment program, which can cost around $500 to $1,800

Other DUI Expenses

Besides the court fines and fees, you can expect other expenses related to a DUI conviction. For instance, your car insurance premiums can increase, and you may have to pay for transportation costs if your license is suspended. The total cost of a DUI can be overwhelming and add up quickly.

Conclusion

If you get arrested for a DUI in California, you can expect to pay court fines and fees, as well as other expenses related to the DUI conviction. The total cost can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the number of prior offenses. It's essential to understand the financial burden that comes with a DUI to help plan for the expenses you might face. If you are facing a DUI charge, it's crucial to hire a DUI lawyer or criminal defense attorney to help you fight the charges and reduce the financial consequences of a conviction.

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