When people drink and drive, they often never think about the consequences that come with getting caught driving under the influence. People assume that the only thing they have to do is show up in court, pay a fine and that be that. However, that’s not the way it goes. DUIs are a lot more expensive than fines and time commitments; it could mean a loss of your driving privileges, social stigma, jail or prison time.

It is true that receiving a DUI can cost you a hefty sum. The total financial cost of a DUI includes court costs, fees for a DUI lawyer, increased insurance premiums (up to $3,000 per year over your insurance costs without a DUI), car impound fees, the ticket itself, and court-ordered programs or testing. These fees can easily reach into several thousand dollars.

A DUI will also be emotionally draining; this cost can also end up affecting your family. You may feel embarrassed or even ashamed because of your conviction. If you injured anyone while you were driving under the influence then the toll on your emotions will be even bigger. There is also a possibility that you will hurt yourself while driving under the influence which is another cost few people consider. If you do cause an injury to anyone while behind the wheel then you could be sued separately for these civil suits.

There aren’t just the emotional and financial costs attached to the DUI that you must content with; you must also deal with the court-ordered commitments such as attending a DUI school, participating in community service or attending a victim impact panel. It’s also possible you’ll need to serve time in jail or prison. These kinds of programs also have financial costs you must deal with like work time loss and court-related programs. If you have a DUI conviction on your record, some potential employers can and will will turn you down.

Another significant cost of a DUI is the revocation or suspension of your driving privileges. In some cases, this may even be automatic upon your being stopped for a DUI. At the end of the suspension, you’ll need to pay a fee to have your license reinstated. You may be required to pay for an ignition interlock system if you wish to continue driving after a DUI.

There are lots of costs which are associated with a DUI; some of these are short term costs while many of them last for a very long time. If you get convicted with a DUI then this can change your entire life. By hiring a DUI lawyer you should be able to minimize the costs and risk of getting convicted. DUI attorneys can be expensive however they are normally well worth it. If you are arrested for a DUI then hiring a DUI attorney can greatly improve the chances of success as they have lots of experience dealing with similar cases. Of course, the real “solution” to this problem is to not put yourself in it in the first place by not driving when you drink.