California DUI lawyer Lawrence Taylor wrote a post on his DUI Blog on the cost of a DUI conviction.

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Drunk Driving Could Cost $20,000

CNBC News.  Dec. 14  –  Twenty thousand dollars sounds like a lot to pay for a drink at a holiday party, but if that last cocktail puts you over the legal limit, that “one for the road” could easily cost you that or more.

One drink too many puts you at risk for not only an arrest, but also for fees, fines and costs that can run you thousands of dollars. While a DUI or DWI may be a misdemeanor charge in a number of jurisdictions, it’s a matter that most judges and district attorneys take very seriously. The financial toll of a conviction will play out for years to come, and in many states that can add up to $20,000 before everything is over. This includes bail, fines, legal fees, increased auto insurance premiums, loss of work income, court-ordered alcohol education programs and more.

Of course, if you get fired from your job as a result of the arrest, that dollar figure would skyrocket…

The Texas Department of Transportation says a June 2006 survey in that state showed the total costs of a DWI arrest and conviction — for a first time offender with no accident involved — would range from $9,000 to $24,000.

 

 

 

Here are some of the costs for a Tennessee drunk driving conviction ;

  1. Increased car insurance.
  2. SR-22 insurance.
  3. Fines
  4. Probation fees.
  5. Alcohol treatment
  6. Interlock devices placed on your car.
  7. Scram devices.
  8. Bail bond fees.

So, the decision is whether to spend some money fighting the DUI charge or just spend the money.