What Are the Fines For a DUI?

Several penalties exist as a punishment forFurthermore, criminal fines or one they call punitive DUI
defendants arrested for DUI or driving under thefees is established by a specific state laws and the
influence of alcohol or drugs. These penalties include:judge hearing the drinking and driving (DUI) case. The
- Mandatory jail timevery purpose of the punitive DUI fines is to prevent
- Community service hoursfuture committal of the same crime by the defendant
- Probationand to punish the defendant for the crime he or she
- Suspension of license and;has committed. The amount paid as fine varies
- Loss of driving privilegedepending on the facts uncovered during the case and
If the defendant is found guilty as charged, he or shethe location or state where the DUI offense took
will be asked to pay for a fine. It is as an addition toplace. First offense DUI fine ranges from $500 to
the classic punishments under law.$1000. However, in cases of multiple DUI arrests and
Many factors also exist in order to determine theconvictions, the defendant may face for up to a
range of fines that the defendant will need to pay or$15,000 or higher fines.
must pay in the event of a guilty DUI case. DependingAside from the DUI fines mentioned and ordered by
on the state you belong in, your fine is subject tothe state laws or court, the defendant is also going to
change according to that state's minimum andpay for additional fees related to the criminal penalty.
maximum fines. However, the judge who is hearing theTo make it more concrete, the defendant needs to
DUI case also has a say with regards to the fine youpay for mandatory drug and alcohol recovery
are going to pay and this fine is subject to the judge'sprograms as well as sessions in alcohol education. The
fair discretion.fees for the recovery and class sessions are added
Generally, there are two major fines that you maywith the total amount of all DUI fines.
face after the sentencing of your DUI case namely -Additional fines from the department of motor vehicles
- Criminal fines and;may also be imposed. Also aside from the fines, your
- Restitutiondriver's license may also be revoked or suspended. If
The difference of the two lies in the fact that theyou want to file for an appeal or motion to have an
criminal fines are under the criminal case while theadministrative hearing in an attempt to rescind the
other fine, which is the restitution, is ordered under acase, you should also shoulder all the cost related to
civil case.this.