Colorado Springs DUI Defense Attorney
Costs of a DUI in Colorado
Colorado drunk driving law sets heavy penalties for drivers who are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs (DUI). These include jail time, community service, and fines. While these costs can be steep, the costs of a DUI arrest or conviction can extend far beyond the penalties set by the court. When all is said and done, a DUI may cost as much as $10,000, according to a recent MSN Money article.
The costs of a DWAI or DUI begin with a person's arrest on suspicion of either of these offenses, even if the person has not been convicted. The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles has the power to suspend the driver's license of any person arrested for either of these reasons. To get their license back, the driver will have to pay a reinstatement fee of $95.
In some cases, the driver may also have to show proof of an SR-22 insurance certificate or have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed on the car before the driver can get their Colorado driver's license back. Both an SR-22 and ignition interlock device installation mean additional costs, sometimes in the hundreds of dollars.
In addition to the SR-22 requirement, the driver's auto insurance rates may go increase—up to four times the amount the driver currently pays, according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. Some insurance companies won't continue insuring a driver at all, but will drop the person, leaving them to shop for new auto insurance with the burden of a DWAI or DUI charge or conviction in the way. New auto insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but a driver who decides to skip these costs by no longer driving may still have to pay for public transportation costs, such as bus or cab fares.
The costs of a DUI conviction also include fines that a person convicted of DUI may have to pay. In Colorado, these amounts range from $200 to $1500, depending on whether a person is convicted of DWAI or DUI and the person's prior criminal record, if any. Drivers who are classified "high BAC offenders" or "persistent drunk drivers" due to having a BAC of 0.17 or above will also be required to take alcohol education or therapy classes—at the driver's expense. Court costs, bail amounts, fees for victim's compensation and other court-run funds, and other costs round out the hefty bill that comes with a DUI or DWAI conviction.
Many people believe that they can't afford an attorney's help to fight their DUI or DWAI charge. But once the numbers add up, it's more likely that a person facing a DWAI or DUI charge in Colorado can't afford not to consult an experienced attorney. Colorado DUI defense attorney Timothy Bussey has experience defending drivers against the full range of possible drunk-driving charges. A former El Paso and Teller County Deputy District Attorney, Timothy Bussey understands what goes into a DUI or DWAI charge and how to fight for the best possible outcome in each client's case. To learn more about your legal rights and how we can help, call The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. today.
