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Why pleading guilty to a DUI will cost more than you expect

On Behalf of | Oct 21, 2022 | Drunk Driving

There are many different situations that could lead to driving under the influence (DUI) charges. Some of the most common involve traffic stops and technical infractions rather than people causing injury or property damage that affects others.

Someone with no real criminal history and a relatively clean driving record might initially think that pleading guilty to a DUI charge would be a fast and reasonable way to resolve the allegations they face. Instead of spending money to go to criminal court, they hope to keep their expenses low by pleading guilty and minimizing their time in court.

What these drivers who plead guilty instead of defending themselves fail to realize is that the fines assessed by a judge for a Florida DUI are only one of several financial consequences.

Fines are less than your secondary costs

Depending on the circumstances at the time of your arrest and your prior record, a DUI fine could range from $500 to $5,000. Pleading guilty and paying the fine might seem like an affordable solution, but then you have a drunk driving blemish on your criminal record and on your driving record.

You will lose your license after a DUI in most cases. Needing to pay for taxi service or rideshare rides could add up to thousands of dollars in the months when you don’t have driving privileges. Even after you get your license back, the expenses will continue to accrue.

According to a review of insurance costs, you can expect what you pay for coverage annually to increase by an average of 48% after a DUI conviction. Most drivers pay $2,364 per year for coverage without a DUI on their record. The average policy cost increases to $3,503 after a DUI conviction.

A defense preserves your finances and your reputation

There could be numerous viable defense strategies available to those facing DUI charges in Florida. From challenging the breath test results to questioning an officer’s grounds for a traffic stop, there are many potential ways for drivers accused of intoxication at the wheel to avoid it criminal conviction.

Before you play guilty, it would be a better option to look at the evidence against you and consider your options. Defending against DUI charges can help you avoid a criminal record and all the costs a conviction carries.

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