Join our newsletter.

What Could a DUI in PA Cost You?

There’s a lot you can do with $10,000.

You could travel, invest in property, remodel part of your home or buy a decent used car.

It’s not change-your-life money, but for most of us, it’s a figure large enough for us to take notice. It’s also the average cost for a DUI arrest in PA, according to the Center for Traffic Safety in York County.

No matter the figure, there’s no arguing with the fact that a DUI (driving while under the influence) arrest will cost you.

 

The commonwealth’s penalty structure separates DUIs into three tiers:

  • The first level, general DUI impairment, carries a $300 fine and up to six months on probation. General impairment refers to a case where a driver has a blood-alcohol level of .08 to .099 percent and is incapable of safe driving, but hasn’t caused any injury or property damage.
  • High rate impairment refers to drivers with a BAC of .1 to .159 percent, or with the same BAC as someone at the general impairment level after a minor accident. This category is also used for school bus drivers with a BAC of .2 to .159 percent and commercial vehicle drivers with a BAC of .04 to .159 percent. The punishment at this level is two days to six months in jail, $500 to $5,000 in fines and a year-long license suspension.
  • At the highest rate, drivers have a BAC of .16 percent or greater, have refused a DUI test, or are under the influence of controlled substances. At this level, convicted drivers face three days to six months in jail, $1,000 to $5,000 in fines and a 12-month license suspension.

In addition to these fixed costs, there are other factors to consider:

  • Getting your car back – If your vehicle is towed from the scene of your arrest, it can cost $250 or more to recover it.
  • Paying more for insurance – A DUI arrest will cause your car insurance rate to go up, in some cases as much as 450 percent. You might pay $5,000 a year more for car insurance after a DUI conviction.
  • Loss of income – It’s more difficult to put a price tag on this, but a DUI arrest and conviction will likely affect your career. Being in court means missing work, and having a DUI on your record can be a black mark on certain licensed professions: nurses, lawyers, doctors, etc.
  • Going to school – Your judge may order you to attend DUI classes as part of your conviction. This can cost between $100 and $400.
  • Going to court – There’s no easy way to tell how much you’ll pay for an attorney on your DUI case. Your lawyer may charge a flat fee, or an hourly rate that could range from $100 to $300. If it’s your first offense and you’re willing to plead guilty, it might cost anywhere from $400 to $5,000. But if you take the case to trial, expect to spend as much as five times that amount. If your trial strategy involves expert witnesses, add anywhere from $2,000 to $7,000 to the price.

As we’ve argued before, if you’ve been charged with driving under the influence, it’s more important to worry about your defense than the cost of hiring a DUI lawyer in PA.

The DUI lawyer in PA at Penglase & Benson are well-versed in handling DUI cases, and by hiring one of them, you’re tapping into the expertise you need to bring you case to the most optimal conclusion.

We can investigate whether police followed correct procedure when performing the blood and breathalyzer tests. If those tests weren’t handled according to protocol, your charges could be dismissed. Even if the case seems open and shut, our attorneys can be by your side to protect your rights and make sure you have the best possible representation.

Contact us today for a free consultation with a DUI lawyer in PA, and we can help you get started on your defense.

Related News & Articles

The collateral consequences of a criminal conviction can last for years and have a detrimental effect on a person’s voting rights; gun rights; immigration status; eligibility for federal assistance programs (e.g.,...

Managing family dynamics is difficult enough without having to deal with the extra complexities of addiction and rehabilitation. The stakes in family court cases can rise dramatically when substance misuse is...

If you are trying to negotiate your claim with the insurance company, then you may be wondering: Why does the settlement process have to be so difficult? Why is the insurance...

Are you facing the challenging crossroads of financial instability due to addiction and the burden of credit card debt? You’re not alone. This article is here to help you navigate the...

For a year there has been talk on the news and in state and federal legislatures on how to get financial relief to renters who cannot pay their rent due to...

There’s a reason so many of us fail to write a living will while we’re still alive. Considering our own death can be a terrifying thing. But if you’re reading this...

“A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client.” It’s an old adage, a clever way of saying “It’s usually a bad idea to represent yourself in...

Andrea Lenk and Alicia Nicholson probably thought Feb. 6, 2016 would unfold like any other day. But driving through Cumberland County, Pennsylvania that day, they crossed paths in the most horrific...

You’ve just gotten married. Your new spouse has kids from a previous marriage, but at this point, you think of them as your kids too. Unfortunately, the law has other ideas,...

Typically most people think of alcohol when they hear of the charge DUI. What they don’t realize is that controlled substances and over the counter medication can both lead to a...