Naomi Cook | March 28, 2023
Summary: Prevention is your best defense against the high cost of DUI, but if you’ve already been charged with driving under the influence, you can also attempt a plea bargain, contest the DUI stop, ensure your Miranda Rights weren’t violated, and contest the breathalyzer test in order to avoid the high costs of a DUI charge.
Did you know that around one hour after you’ve started reading this article, a person has died due to drinking and driving in the United States? Sadly, accidents caused by DUIs claim more than 10,000 lives every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Drinking under the influence is a criminal offense that has severe consequences, especially if the result is a car accident. If you’ve been charged with a DUI, it’s important to understand the consequences of such a charge, including how it can affect a person’s financial stability.
What is the cost of a DUI charge, and how can you avoid such an expense?
How can you avoid or lessen the costs associated with DUIs?
It's best to consult with good lawyers available online who can provide you with all the legal advice you need as you deal with a DUI charge. At the same time, managing the ensuing debt after calculating damages caused by a DUI case is equally pertinent.
This article provides information about the financial liabilities associated with DUIs. It gives you an idea of what to expect from a DUI charge regarding costs, expenses, and fines. More importantly, you’ll get tips on mitigating the costs of DUIs and protecting yourself from this unfavorable situation.
A DUI case is not only a roadside altercation but a life-changing event for everyone involved. Driving while impaired due to alcohol intake or drugs is a reckless act that constitutes a crime in the United States.
Surrounding every DUI are liabilities for everyone involved in the cause of the accident or crash. Alongside these liabilities are the responsibilities of those charged with DUIs to everyone affected by their reckless actions.
There are two sides to the liability coin in every DUI case. The driver or first party, who is DUI, and those who contributed to the first party’s intoxication or third party.
A drunk driver incurs financial responsibilities because they’re the first party in a DUI case. Costs for DUIs may significantly compound when everything adds up.
You’ll need to pay bail, fees, and penalties, and hire an attorney. You’ll also spend on vehicle towing and miscellaneous expenses, not including the impact on your character and the possible limited chances of finding work after the arrest.
You can quickly calculate that costs for a DUI can soar easily to upwards of thousands of dollars. Remember that the actual fines and penalties may differ in every state and can be higher depending on the gravity of the DUI case.
The third party in a DUI crash is the one who contributed to the driver's intoxication. Third parties typically include pubs, taverns, liquor stores, and restaurants that sell alcohol. The prosecution must establish a direct connection between the third party and the driver to make the third party liable for the damages and injuries from the DUI.
The best tip to avoid DUI costs is not to drink and drive. You should remember that the legal limit for blood alcohol levels in most states is 0.08%, which you can reach after four to five drinks.
You can generally seek a plea bargain or agreement to reduce the penalties or sentence for a DUI. To get a plea bargain, you need to plead guilty to a lesser offense with lesser penalties.
You’ll need to consult with your lawyers to attempt a plea bargain, especially to determine which offense you’ll plead guilty to in exchange for the lower punishment.
Another way to reduce your DUI cost is to contest the manner of your stop and arrest. Law enforcement requires two bases to justify a traffic stop: reasonable suspicion and probable cause.
Another way to help reduce or avoid DUI costs is to contest the arrest citing that there was a violation of Miranda rights.
This violation means that a driver stopped for suspected DUI violations can have their case dismissed if the officer didn’t inform them of their right to remain silent, their right against self-incrimination, and their right to have an attorney provided for them.
Breathalyzers and other sobriety tests may provide wrong information depending on their used condition. Tests completed under certain circumstances can lead to skewed results. A reasonable defense attorney can see where lapses have occurred during an arrest and can use these defenses to dismiss a trial or reduce one's sentence upon conviction.
Remember that prevention is your best defense against the high cost of a DUI charge. So, the next time you’ve had a few drinks and think it’s okay to drive yourself home, don’t. Better hail a cab and spend $18 than risk getting charged with a DUI and spend thousands.
Have you been sued for a debt? Fight back with SoloSuit.
SoloSuit makes it easy to fight debt collectors.
You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt.
SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.
>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)
Here's a list of guides for other states.
Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.
You can ask your questions on the SoloSuit forum and the community will help you out. Whether you need help now are are just look for support, we're here for you.
Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.
Going to Court for Credit Card Debt — Key Tips
How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts
How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide
Need more info on statutes of limitations? Read our 50-state guide.
Why do debt collectors block their phone numbers?
How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?
What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?
Is Zombie Debt Still a Problem in 2019?
If a car is repossessed, do I still owe the debt?
Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Legit?
Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?
Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?
What is a default judgment?— What do I do?
Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?
What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?
What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?
What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency
What is a Stipulated Judgment?
What is the Deadline for a Defendants Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?
Can a Judgement Creditor Take my Car?
Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?
Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?
Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?
Do I Need a Payday Loans Lawyer?
Do student loans go away after 7 years? — Student Loan Debt Guide
Am I Responsible for My Spouses Medical Debt?
Should I Marry Someone With Debt?
Can a Debt Collector Leave a Voicemail?
How Does Debt Assignment Work?
What Happens If a Defendant Does Not Pay a Judgment?
How Does Debt Assignment Work?
Can You Serve Someone with a Collections Lawsuit at Their Work?
How Many Times Can a Judgment be Renewed in Oklahoma?
Does Debt Consolidation Have Risks?
What Happens If You Avoid Getting Served Court Papers?
Does Student Debt Die With You?
Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work in Texas?
How Much Do You Have to Be in Debt to File for Chapter 7?
What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington?
How Long Does a Judgment Last?
Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?
Can Debt Collectors Call From Local Numbers?
Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?
The Truth: Should You Never Pay a Debt Collection Agency?
Should You Communicate with a Debt Collector in Writing or by Telephone?
What Happens After a Motion for Default Is Filed?
Can a Process Server Leave a Summons Taped to My Door?
Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.
How to Make a Debt Validation Letter - The Ultimate Guide
How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney
How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know
How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)
Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector
Tips on you can to file an FDCPA lawsuit against a debt collection agency
Advice on how to answer a summons for debt collection.
Effective strategies for how to get back on track after a debt lawsuit
New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt
Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors
The Ultimate Guide to Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah
West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt
What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained
Defending Yourself in Court Against Debt Collector
Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt
Youre Drowning in Debt — Heres How to Swim
Help! Im Being Sued by My Debt Collector
How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment
How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont
North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt
ClearPoint Debt Management Review
Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt
Oregon Eviction Laws - What They Say
CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review
How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter
How to Appear in Court by Phone
How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands
Debt Consolidation in Eugene, Oregon
Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next
How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement
Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Heres What to Do
How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection
Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt
Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection
How to File in Small Claims Court in Iowa
How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court
Roseland Associates Debt Consolidation Review
Do Debt Collectors Ever Give Up?
Can They Garnish Your Wages for Credit Card Debt?
How Often Do Credit Card Companies Sue for Non-Payment?
How Long Does a Judgement Last?
How Long Before a Creditor Can Garnish Wages?
How to Beat a Bill Collector in Court
Out Debt Validation Letter is the best way to respond to a collection letter. Many debt collectors will simply give up after receiving it.
"Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law unexpectedly is kinda scary. I started researching on YouTube and found SoloSuit's channel. The videos were so helpful, easy to understand and encouraging. When I reached out to SoloSuit they were on it. Very professional, impeccably prompt. Thanks for the service!" - Heather