DUI Fines

If a defendant is convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, he or she will be sentenced to several penalties. These may include jail time, probation, community service, and the loss of driving privileges. The defendant will also be ordered to pay DUI fines.

There are many factors that are used to determine the type of DUI fines that the defendant must pay. Every state has laws regarding the minimum and maximum fines that a defendant may face, but the amount of the fine is also subject to the discretion of the judge who is hearing the DUI case.

There are two types of fines that may be imposed – criminal fines and restitution. Criminal DUI fines stem from a criminal case, while restitution may be ordered in a civil case.

Criminal or punitive DUI fines are determined by your state’s laws and the judge presiding over the drinking and driving case. The purpose of the criminal DUI fine is to punish the offender for his or her crime and to deter him or her from committing a similar crime in the future. The amount of the fine depends on the specific facts of the case, as well as the state where the DUI offense occurred. The fines for a first-time DUI offense can start at $500 to $1,000. If the defendant has multiple DUI convictions, he or she may pay fines of up to $15,000 or higher.

In addition to the DUI fines ordered by the court, the defendant must shoulder the costs associated with other criminal penalties. For example, he or she must pay for mandatory drug and alcohol treatment programs and alcohol education classes. The cost of these classes adds to the amount of the other DUI fines.

The department of motor vehicles may also impose fines. The department has the ability to revoke or suspend the offender’s driver’s license. If the offender wants an administrative hearing to prevent his or license from being suspended, he or she is responsible for all of the costs associated with the hearing.

If a person sustained injury or property damage as the result of the defendant’s drinking and driving, the defendant may be ordered to pay restitution in a civil case. Restitution is designed to compensate the victim in the accident. This compensation can cover the victim’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of income, and property damage.

If you have a question about DUI fines in your state, contact an experienced defense attorney today!

States/Abbreviations
AK	Alaska	LA	Louisiana	OH	Ohio
AL	Alabama	MA	Massachusetts	OK	Oklahoma
AR	Arkansas	MD	Maryland	OR	Oregon
AZ	Arizona	ME	Maine	PA	Pennsylvania
CA	California	MI	Michigan	RI	Rhode Island
CO	Colorado	MN	Minnesota	SC	South Carolina
CT	Connecticut	MO	Missouri	SD	South Dakota
DE	Delaware	MS	Mississippi	TN	Tennessee
FL	Florida	MT	Montana	TX	Texas
GA	Georgia	NC	North Carolina	UT	Utah
HI	Hawaii	ND	North Dakota	VT	Vermont
IA	Iowa	NE	Nebraska	VA	Virginia
ID	Idaho	NH	New Hampshire	WA	Washington State
IL	Illinois	NJ	New Jersey	WI	Wisconsin
IN	Indiana	NM	New Mexico	WV	West Virginia
KS	Kansas	NV	Nevada	WY	Wyoming
KY	Kentucky	NY	New York	DC	Washington DC