There is a huge misconception among people who have been arrested for a DUI that hiring a lawyer is too expensive and too much of a hassle. That is just not the case. Heading to court and pleading guilty to your DUI can cost you more than you think. The truth is hiring a DUI lawyer to fight your case may cost less money than the heavy fines and other expenses you will pay if you plead guilty. Here are some ways a DUI guilty plea can empty your wallet.

Transportation.  You need to get to work, right?  What if there is no bus, what if your friend or co-worker can’t take you?  Even if you only take a cab 2 days per week just to work and back, it could cost you more than $700 in cab fare.  (Assuming that you live 10 miles from work and your suspension is for six month.)  That’s more than two car payments, which you’ll still be making even while you’re not driving.

Insurance Rates. After a DUI arrest, if your car insurance doesn’t drop you, your monthly rate will raise at an average of 30%. Most DUI offenders will have to pay increased ratesfor three years, plus the fee with filing an SR-22. On average, you are most likely to pay an extra $500 per year for the next three years if you plead guilty to a DUI.  That’s an additional $1500 than what you’re already paying for insurance.  Unbelievable!

Ignition Interlocks. Ignition interlocks are becoming increasingly more popular as a penalty for those convicted of DUI. If you are required to install an IID, you need to pay for it. On average it costs about $60 to install an interlock, plus a monthly fee of about $60. If you are required to install an interlock for a year (which is a typical requirement), you will need to fork over at least $780.

Court Costs and Fees. It is important not forget those heavy fines you will need to pay if you get convicted of a DUI. Although it varies from state to state, you could pay up to $1200 in court fees if you get convicted.  Also, remember that depending on the severity of your DUI, these costs can go up exponentially.

Alcohol Education Classes. Alcohol education classes are a major requirement for anyone convicted of a DUI. Again, you’re responsible for paying the class fees. Although each state has different types of education requirements, it could cost you up to $2,000.

License Reinstatement. Even after you fulfilled your punishment and think this whole process is over, you’ll be slapped with another fine just to get your license back. This can cost you around $250.

Altogether, you’re looking at some major financial commitments.  Don’t forget that these are just averages.  In some states, these costs are nearly double!  Also, these fines are only the average minimum.  If you have any other extenuating factors with your DUI conviction, you will likely see these numbers multiply.

Hire a DUI attorney.  It’s worth the investment, and it’s cheaper than a guilty plea!  Get someone you feel comfortable with and has knowledge of the local DUI laws.  Ask questions and do your homework.  Hire a DUI attorney who can represent you and help you fight for your rights, your freedom and the privilege to keep your hard-earned money!!

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A DUI or driving under the influence arrest can be overwhelming. You are probably wondering what you should do next or how much it will cost you. Maybe you have been arrested multiple times for DUI and you are scared it may affect your employment or you may lose your Seattle license. It is time to call a Seattle DUI lawyer. Seattle DUI attorneys can answer all or your DUI questions and organize your DUI defense.

DUI lawyers in Seattle have handled hundreds of DUI cases from DUI misdemeanors to DUI felonies. Most criminal defense lawyers in Seattle offer a free initial consultation to review your DUI charges and determine whether or not they can help you. Many drivers think it is best to plead guilty and move forward, and it may be, but it is always a good idea to make sure you understand the legal ramifications of a guilty plea.

Seattle DUI lawyers are professional and knowledgeable about Seattle DUI laws, and they can help through every step of the DUI process. What penalties do you face? Will you lose your Seattle driver’s license? Call a Seattle DUI criminal defense lawyer and find out.

Seattle DUI Laws

Seattle drivers, who are arrested with a BAC or blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, can be charged with DUI. Seattle drivers who are under the age of 21 and have a BAC of 0.2% can also be charged with DUI. Consuming less than the legal limit of alcohol does not necessarily mean a driver will not be arrested for DUI. Drivers who have consumed alcohol and can not operate a motor vehicle safely may be considered “under the influence” and can be arrested.

Penalties for DUI in Seattle

DUI penalties in Seattle can vary depending on the criminal record of the driver or if there are any aggravating circumstances such as severe injury or death. Talk to a Seattle DUI lawyer about the details of your DUI case. General DUI penalty information is provided below:

First DUI Conviction in Seattle

(With in 7 years)

• Seattle drivers are required to stay 1 day to 1 year in jail or may instead be confined 15 days to 30 days with at home electronic monitoring.

• Seattle drivers may be required to pay fines of $823 to $5,000.
• Seattle courts may suspend a driver’s license for 90 days to 1 year with a 5 year probationary license.
• The courts may require Seattle drivers to install an Ignition Interlock Device.
• The courts may require Seattle drivers to complete an alcohol evaluation and potential alcohol treatment program for up to 2 years.

Seattle DUI penalties may become more severe for drivers who have a BAC of 0.15% or higher or if a driver refuses to submit to a chemical test.

Second DUI Conviction in Seattle

(With in 7 years)

• Drivers must spend 30 days to 1 year in jail or the court may allow 60 to 90 days at home with electronic home monitoring.
• Seattle drivers must pay fines of $1,078 to $5,000.
• The courts require a license suspension for 2 years to 900 days followed by a 5 year probationary license after the driver’s Seattle license is reinstated.
• The courts may require monitored probation for up to 5 years.
• Drivers may be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device on their vehicle for 1 year.
• The courts may require a driver to take an alcohol evaluation and potential alcohol treatment program for up to 2 years.

Third DUI Conviction in Seattle

(With in 7 years)

• Seattle drivers are required to stay in jail for 90 days to 1 year, or the courts may allow 120 to 150 days of electronic home monitoring.
• Seattle drivers are required to pay fines of $1,928 to $5,000.
• The courts can suspend a driver’s license for 3 to 4 years. The driver may have a probationary license for 5 years after their driver’s license is reinstated.
• Drivers may have to serve 5 years of monitored probation.
• Drivers may be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device for 1 to 10 years.
• Drivers must take an alcohol evaluation and potential alcohol treatment program for up to 2 years.

Hiring a Seattle criminal defense attorney

What does a Seattle DUI lawyer do for you? They can answer all of your DUI questions, investigate the DUI case and determine what options are best for you. DUI attorneys also file motions and discuss your DUI case with the prosecuting attorney. Can they guarantee your DUI charges are dropped or reduced? No, but they can provide the best chance you have to get a great DUI defense. Do not try to fight DUI charges alone. Let a DUI attorney do the work for you.

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A DUI conviction in Utah can have severe consequences for a Utah driver. Utah DUI laws can be complicated. It may be a good idea to contact a Utah DUI lawyer. Hiring a DUI lawyer can make a difference in the type of penalties which may be assessed against a driver. DUI lawyers can review the driver’s DUI charges and help determine the best course of action for the driver.

Depending on whether it is the driver’s first, second or third DUI charge, they may be facing severe penalties including:

• Increase insurance cost
• License suspension
• High court costs and penalties
• Mandatory installation of an Ignition Interlock Device
• Mandatory attendance in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program

Utah DUI Laws

Utah drivers can be arrested in Utah if they are driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol or the combination of these substances to a degree that the driver is unable to safely drive or operate the vehicle.

Drivers can also be arrested and charged with DUI if their blood alcohol level (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. If a driver’s BAC is over the legal limit they do not have to exhibit any physical or mental impairments to be arrested.

A Utah police officer may stop a driver for any type of driving infraction or if they believe they are intoxicated. The police officer begins gathering evidence for the DUI before the stop by observing common infractions such as swerving, driving the wrong direction or driving too slowly. After the stop, the officer can give the driver a field sobriety test which can include asking them to walk a straight line, recite the alphabet or count backwards. After the field sobriety test, the officer can make a subjective decision about whether or not the driver is intoxicated and ask them to submit to a chemical test.

Under Utah’s driving laws, drivers have given their implied consent to submit to a chemical test which will test their breath, urine or blood. Drivers who refuse to take the test can have their license suspended for 18 to 36 months.

Penalties for DUI in Utah

Penalties assessed against a Utah driver charged with a DUI may vary. A DUI lawyer can provide specific information about your DUI case. General information is provided below for Utah DUI penalties.

First DUI Offense

• Required to spend a minimum of 48 hours in jail or potential 48 hours of a work service program or home confinement
• Required to pay a minimum $700 in fines and penalties
• Mandatory license suspension for 120 days
• Potential home confinement with electronic monitoring
• Potential alcohol abuse screening, assessment, education and treatment programs

Second DUI Offense

• Required to spend a minimum of 240 hours in jail or potential 240 hours of a work service program or home confinement
• Required to pay a minimum $800 in fines and penalties
• Mandatory license suspension for 2 years
• Mandatory Ignition Interlock Device for 3 years if the DUI conviction is with in 10 years of the previous DUI conviction
• Potential home confinement with electronic monitoring
• Potential alcohol abuse screening, assessment, education and treatment programs

Third DUI Offense

• Required to spend a minimum of 1,500 hours in jail
• Required to pay a minimum $1,500 in fines and penalties
• Mandatory license suspension for 2 years
• Mandatory Ignition Interlock Device for 3 years if the DUI conviction is with in 10 years of the previous DUI conviction
• Supervised probation
• Potential alcohol abuse screening, assessment, education and treatment programs

Hiring a Utah criminal defense lawyer

DUI penalties vary from state to state; hiring a Utah DUI lawyer who understands Utah DUI laws is very important. DUI lawyers may offer a free initial consultation to review a driver’s DUI charges so there is no cost for the driver to wait to make a decision about their plea. Talking to a DUI attorney is critical if the driver has multiple DUI convictions or the driver has injured or killed another person. Drivers who have multiple convictions could be facing license revocations, high penalties and long prison sentences.

Common mistakes after a DUI

Many drivers make simple mistakes which can jeopardize their DUI case. If you have been arrested for DUI here are some things to do:

1. Talk to a DUI attorney as soon as possible to have your DUI case evaluated.
2. With the help of your Utah DUI lawyer, request your DMV hearing with in 10 days of your DUI arrest.
3. Do not pretend that you were not arrested and do not put off calling a DUI lawyer.
4. Do not plead guilty until you fully understand the DUI laws which are applicable to your DUI case.
5. Do not have unrealistic expectations about your case.
6. Make sure you understand your fourth amendments rights and how they may apply to your DUI case.

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