How Much Can You Expect to Pay?
If you have been arrested and charged with DUI in Connecticut, you will be faced with considerable short-term costs throughout the legal process. There are court fines, fees, and costs associated with criminal DUI convictions under Connecticut General Statutes § 14-227a. Even if you avoid a conviction, there may be a fee for a diversionary program. There are special permit fees, restoration fees, and Ignition Interlock Device “IID” fees through the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.
While the short-term costs for Connecticut DUI are considerable, the long-term costs and consequences, by far, exceed those you will encounter in the short-term. These include increased insurance premiums, loss of livelihood, loss of future employability, and a serious hit to your reputation. To avoid and limit the short and long-term costs of DUI, you will want to retain the best Connecticut DUI Defense Attorney.
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Court Costs Associated with DUI in Connecticut
In Connecticut, in addition to potential jail, probation, community service, and court mandated alcohol counselling, there are considerable financial costs associated with the DUI court process.
The direct costs that are associated with the DUI court process include:
IMPAIRED DRIVING INTERVENTION PROGRAM
- Application and evaluation fee of $250
- Program fee of $100- $400
- Fees vary if ordered to undergo substance abuse treatment as opposed to alcohol education
- Mother’s Against Drunk Driving “MADD” Victim Impact Panel fee of $75
FIRST OFFENSE DUI
- Fines between $500 – $1,000
- Probation fee of $200
- Other miscellaneous court fees of approximately $105
- MADD Victim Impact Panel fee of $75
- Variable fees for substance abuse counselling and/or treatment if required by probation
SECOND OFFENSE DUI
- Fines between $1,000 – $4,000
- Probation fee of $200
- Other miscellaneous court fees of approximately $165
- MADD Victim Impact Panel fee of $75
- Variable fees for substance abuse counselling and/or treatment if required by probation
- Felony DUI requiring you to submit to a DNA sample and prohibiting you from owning or possessing firearms
THIRD OFFENSE DUI
- Fines between $2,000 – $8,000
- Probation fee of $200
- Other miscellaneous court fees of approximately $500
- MADD Victim Impact Panel fee of $75
- Variable fees for substance abuse counselling and/or treatment if required by probation
- Felony DUI requiring you to submit to a DNA sample and prohibiting you from owning or possessing firearms
DMV Fess Associated with DUI
In addition to the court fees, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles will impose various fees as a result your license suspension pursuant to the Implied Consent Law under Connecticut General Statutes § 14-227b.
The direct costs that are associated with the DUI DMV process include:
- Application fee for a Special Operator’s Permit (Work Permit) of $100
- Restoration fee of $175
- IID application fee of $100
- Variable IID installation fees (typically between $50 – $150)
- Variable monthly maintenance IID fees (typically between $50 – $100)
Insurance Costs Associated with DUI
Along with court and DMV related fees, you may also expect your car insurance premiums to increase, especially if you were involved in a car accident. In Connecticut, the average car insurance premium increase for a DUI conviction is 81%.
The good news is that increases to car insurance premiums is not automatic after a Connecticut DUI arrest. Connecticut no longer requires SR-22 Insurance after a DUI incident. Therefore, there are ways to prevent the DUI from being reported to your insurance company and ways to keep your insurance company from finding out about your DUI. The DUI Defense Lawyers at The Sills Law Firm, LLC regularly advise their clients of the best practices to keep their car insurance premiums as low as possible.
In addition to car insurance, you may also face increased premiums for other types of insurance such as health insurance or life insurance. Applications for both health insurance and life insurance will inquire as to whether you’ve ever been convicted of DUI or ever participated in substance abuse treatment. Insurance agencies will also likely review both your criminal and driving record for DUI before issuing you a policy.
Indirect and Social Costs of Drinking & Driving
The long-term indirect and social costs associated with Connecticut DUI are often overlooked by individuals immediately after their DUI arrests. After a DUI arrest, it is quite easy to become overwhelmed by all of the short-term costs and obligations. However, the indirect and long-term costs of DUI often greatly exceed what you will pay in the short-term. This is where retaining a top-notch Connecticut DUI Defense Attorney can really be viewed as an investment in your future.
Some often-overlooked indirect costs associated with drunken driving include:
- Loss of livelihood
- Loss of home and possibly marriage and child custody
- Loss of future employability
- Loss of reputation
- Increased insurance premiums
- Cost of public transportation, driving services such as Uber or Lyft, or hiring a driver
In Connecticut, a DUI arrest can lead to a complete downward spiral. If you are not able to drive, you may be at risk for losing your job. Some employers will further terminate you as a result of your DUI incident. This could lead to economic stress which will likely affect your personal relationships. Economic issues are the number one cited reason for divorce and child custody issues. Many people who go to jail for DUI lose everything as they are not able to keep up with their financial obligations while out of work and in jail.
Nowadays, these events are more publicized than ever. Often your DUI arrest, mugshot, and reports will we plastered across the internet and social media. This can magnify the shame and embarrassment that you are already feeling.
A good defense can be all the difference in avoiding or limiting the above.
CT Lawyers Striving to Limit Short-Term and Long-Term Consequences
If you have been charged with DUI in Connecticut, your primary concerns will be keeping costs as low and consequences as minimal as possible. Our Connecticut DUI attorneys at The Sills Law Firm, LLC understand your concerns and will focus our efforts on keeping your freedom, maintaining your reputation, and keeping your costs down.
CONTACT OUR OFFICE TODAY TO INVEST IN A BETTER TOMORROW.
