Getting a DUI can cost more than your car keys
JACKSON, Tenn. — Bringing in the new year with a DUI could have some serious consequences, not only on your record but on your wallet as well. “The consequences are severe both from a standpoint of what it costs through the court system as well as attorney fees and the impact it’s going to have on your driving record,” attorney Joe Byrd said. Byrd said his clients that have a DUI can get into a slew of financial trouble before their year has even started. Thousands of dollars are lost because of one bad decision. “When you look at it in a nutshell, a first offense DUI is going to cost you probably somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,500 to $3,000 before attorney fees to get the disposition,” Byrd said. Those attorney fees could cost up to $350 an hour plus bond to get out of jail. Insurance costs will go up as well, as those charges put drivers in a high-risk category. In addition to these costs, another consequence is the DUI charge will follow you for years to come. Officials said, if convicted, these charges stay on your record, and if you have been charged with a DUI in the past 10 years, Byrd said a prosecutor can use that against you. Law enforcement said there is one way to avoid any of these charges — don’t take the risk. Don’t drive if you think you may have been drinking too much.
