How much will I pay in fines for a first offense DUI in Arizona?
A DUI can impact your life and future in more ways than you likely realize. Being convicted of a DUI can damage your reputation and even result in jail time. It will also cost you significantly on the financial front. With court fees, attorney’s fees, ignition interlock expenses, and much more, DUI costs can rapidly mount. The true costs of a DUI may not be readily apparent until months or even years after your conviction. With so much on the line if you have been arrested for a DUI, it is critical that you seek the assistance of an experienced Phoenix DUI attorney.
Bail Cost
The first expense you will typically encounter after being arrested for a DUI is bail. After your arrest, you will likely be held in jail. To get you out of jail, your family, friends, or attorney will typically need to put down money to secure your release. Bail varies for a DUI, but most people should expect to pay around $500. This fee may be higher or lower depending on your criminal history and the circumstances surrounding your arrest.
Attorney’s Fees
To fight the DUI charge you face, you will need the assistance of a DUI attorney. Your attorney will assist you in preparing your defense, attending all hearings, and negotiating a plea deal or taking the case to trial. Your attorney will likely put in significant hours working towards your defense. Attorney’s fees for a DUI may be the highest expense you face, but retaining the help of an attorney might also result in dismissal of your charges, a lighter sentence, or a win at trial, making the costs of an attorney well worth it.
Court Costs
A first time DUI offender can expect to pay somewhere between $25 and $1,500 in court costs, along with about $1,500 in DUI fines. These fines will increase dramatically for subsequent offenses.
Other Expenses
Those convicted of a DUI will need to pay an array of other costs, including the price of installing and maintaining an ignition interlock device. This will run about $70 to $150 for installation, along with another between $60 and $100 a month. Other expenses may include alcohol education courses. These costs do not even take into account what a DUI could cost you in earning expenses in the immediate and long term. Given the tremendous costs associated with a DUI, it is critical that you secure the help of an attorney who will give you the best odds of beating the charges against you.