DWI Fines - What Does a DWI Really Cost?

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DWI Fines And Beyond: The Penalties For Driving Drunk

Being arrested for DWI is extremely costly in more than financial terms. It is a life-altering event that can affect everything from getting a job to getting a loan.

In terms of finances, the hit to your bank account can go beyond DWI fines. Consider the costs of a conviction. Attorney fees can be a couple of thousand dollars at the minimum if there is no one else involved in a drunk driving-related crash. If other people are involved, the attorney fees skyrocket. If someone is injured or killed, it is even more costly. In New York, in addition to DWI fines, there is an insurance surcharge of $4500 over 3 years. This is in addition to your actual insurance premiums. If you are convicted of DWI, low-cost insurance carriers will not write you a policy, so you will have to resort to higher-rate carriers. Alcohol evaluation and treatment can be several hundred dollars by itself. Lastly, you are charged the actual DWI fines by your state or local jurisdiction. DWI fines can range from $300 all the way up to $5000 or more. In New York, DWI fines average about $500.

In addition to insurance premiums, attorney fees, and DWI fines, you have the long-term residual costs of a conviction. If another person is injured or killed as a result of your drunk driving, you can be sued civilly. Damages from a civil lawsuit will make DWI fines look like a penny in a fountain, going into the multi-million dollar range. Time away from a job is a certainty, adding up to hundreds to thousands of dollars in lost pay and used vacation time. Life insurance costs can also skyrocket. One of the questions you’re asked is if your license has ever been suspended. When you do return to work, you could be labeled a drunk driver by coworkers and supervisors, impeding your upward mobility within the company. Trying to find another job can be an exercise in futility, as most every job application asks for prior convictions.
With all the financial risks of driving under the influence, you would, of course, lose the privilege of driving. Regardless if you’re convicted, enter a guilty plea, receive deferred adjudication or conditional discharge, you may be required to take a class that outlines the risks of driving while under the influence. This is commonly referred to as “DWI School.” It is a prerequisite for the permission to drive again after an arrest. Failure to complete the class successfully can result in an indefinite suspension of your license. The inability to drive can also affect your ability to earn a living, depending on your access to public transportation.

The financial impact of driving while intoxicated goes far beyond DWI fines. It sets off a series of repercussions that make drunk driving an utterly useless and boneheaded move.