When it comes to being charged with DUI - Driving Under the Influence, or with DWI - Driving Whilst Intoxicated - Sadly there is no discrimination between those who do thousands of pounds of collateral damage to vehicles and public property, or those who run down innocent pedestrians, or those who crash into another car killing its passengers, and the seasonal victims of a stop-and-check who have literally had one or two drinks at the office. Hardly comparable crimes, but treated just the same under the Law and equally devastating in terms of the implications for job, relationships and life in general. Here are a few of those implications:



The potential expenses relating to a DUI/DWI first offense begin even before a conviction on a DUI charge - and even if you are never ultimately convicted. But if you're found guilty, a first offense could mean that last drink cost you a LOT more than you'd expect. While the amounts vary by depending on where you are in the US and on the specific circumstances, here are some of the general costs you may well end up paying:

- Fines: Maybe $2.500 or more?

- Court costs???

- Attorney fees: Estimated as anywhere from $2,500 to over $10,000

- Bail??

- Loss of job: Only YOU know hoe much this will cost you but don't forget that getting another job may be more difficult, and you may have to take lower paying work if you are lucky to get a job you want with the offense on your record.

- DUI "school."

- Temporary loss of income. $1,000's?

- Car towing, impounding. $100's

- Alternate transportation costs which could easily run to $1000 plus over a the time you may not have a license!

- Car ignition interlock device.

- Periodic blood testing.

- Monthly monitoring fees.

- Cost of incarceration: Lost income during prison time and many other personal cost (often disrupts relationships and marriages) even if it is only for a short period in the end.

- Increased auto insurance premiums e.g. For a typical motor policy this could be about PLUS $600 per year for as long as the offense counts (say 5 years! Total cost - $3000)

In fact estimates of the total cost of a DUI or DWI charge and/or conviction range range from $9,000 to $24,000 or more...

We are NOT just talking about cases where there has been major damage, serious injury caused or deaths. These are costs that anyone who took that extra small glass of wine or beer at the office party, or as result of a well-meaning friend or colleagues pressing encouragement to take one more drink then just getting caught on a spot-check or as a result of getting involved in a minor occurrence (such as a tail light out!) or an event for which you are not to blame.

If you, or someone you know, has this experience (and there will be thousands who do fall foul of DUI or DWI, across the US this Christmas and New year) then you (or they) will be interested to read the advice provided by the author of DUI Process. What is important here, IF you are one of those who pretty much innocently gets caught up in a DUI procedure or a SWI charge then you will need to do some fast thinking and make sure you take certain action to minimize the negative impact on your life, job and pocket that such a problem will undoubtedly have.