{"id":357140,"date":"2025-07-30T13:50:59","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T18:50:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=357140"},"modified":"2026-04-28T14:02:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T19:02:56","slug":"how-much-will-a-dui-cost","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/dui\/cases\/how-much-will-a-dui-cost.html","title":{"rendered":"How Much Will a DUI Cost?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

How Much Will a DUI Cost?<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

A DUI can cost thousands of dollars in total expenses including fines, court fees, attorney costs, and increased insurance premiums<\/span>. First-time DUI<\/span> fines range from $100 to $5,000, while additional costs include bail, towing fees<\/span>, probation expenses, ignition interlock devices<\/span>, and license <\/span>reinstatement<\/span> fees<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or using drugs, you risk getting a DUI charge<\/span>. The police officer will ask for your license and registration. They may also arrest you. While you\u2019re detained, you might start to wonder how much a DUI conviction<\/span> will cost.<\/p>\n

Regardless of where you live, the penalties for a DUI offense are severe. In addition to possible jail time, you\u2019ll also face fines, court fees, and a driver\u2019s license suspension<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re currently facing DUI charges<\/a>, contact a local criminal defense attorney<\/a> to discuss your case as soon as possible. Retaining an experienced DUI attorney gives you the best chance of avoiding a conviction or getting charges reduced.<\/p>\n

What Is the Average <\/span>Cost<\/span> of a DUI<\/span> in the United States?<\/h2>\n

Most estimates suggest a typical DUI conviction<\/span> costs several thousands of dollars in total. Unfortunately, an exact figure isn\u2019t available at the federal level. Because the true costs extend far beyond a simple fine, it\u2019s hard to measure how much each person has ultimately paid for their DUI case<\/span>.<\/p>\n

As a general rule, the cost will vary based on:<\/p>\n