How much will a first time DUI cost? (Miami: lawyer, insurance)

[movin'on]

No, I have never had one and never plan to have one, as I seldom drink and sure wouldn't drive. I've known a couple of people who have received one and heard some outrageous claims, so thought I'd check it out. First person said about $10K and I've heard it goes even higher than that. Is it possible that it actually costs this much? Thoughts? Thanks.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

I hope it does cost as much as you are saying.

If people don't want to enrich the state that much, here's an idea, don't drink and drive. If you have to drive, don't drink ANYTHING at all, other then water or soda.

[Miami Vice]

It's about $5000 for a simple DUI. (No accidents or injuries)

Car tow and repairs

Lawyers

Restitution

Fines

Programs

Cost recovery

ETC......

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by Miami Vice

It's about $5000 for a simple DUI. (No accidents or injuries)

Car tow and repairs

Lawyers

Restitution

Fines

Programs

Cost recovery

ETC......

Thanks. I'm assuming that $5K includes everything you mention below? What about added insurance costs, that ignition starter thing they make you put in your car? What about if they make you go into rehab and one has to pay for it? At any rate, I guess the answer is too much. This state shows no mercy and I think that is a deterrent, not to mention the fact of tent city. I once met a woman who had extreme DUI and think she got a sentence of 90 days or something like that. Considering the jail system here...scary.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by movin'on

No, I have never had one and never plan to have one, as I seldom drink and sure wouldn't drive. I've known a couple of people who have received one and heard some outrageous claims, so thought I'd check it out. First person said about $10K and I've heard it goes even higher than that. Is it possible that it actually costs this much? Thoughts? Thanks.

Between legal fees, fines, court costs, the new device requirements for your car, jail time -

Yep - you can hit 10K

[Miami Vice]

It's not too much of a deterent in Miami. 1 out of 10 drivers on a Saturday night (after 2am) is drunk. It takes atleast 3 hours to process one, (from time of stop until dropping off at jail) so we're obviously out numbered big time. On Saturday nights, we go call to call.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by movin'on

that ignition starter thing they make you put in your car?

Yeah - the ignition system is mandatory - I think it is somewhere around 1200 / 1500 installed

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by Miami Vice

It's not too much of a deterent in Miami. 1 out of 10 drivers on a Saturday night (after 2am) is drunk. It takes atleast 3 hours to process one, (from time of stop until dropping off at jail) so we're obviously out numbered big time. On Saturday nights, we go call to call.

Oh, so you do this for a living? I don't know if you are familiar with tent city or Sheriff Joe Arpaio, but things are very strict here. I guess they even have checkpoints sometimes, although not sure about that. Anyway, tent city is just what it sounds like, from what I gather. They have people stay in this big tent and lop DUIers in with severe criminals, even in extreme heat. There have been 60 deaths in the jail system since 2004.

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Yeah - the ignition system is mandatory - I think it is somewhere around 1200 / 1500 installed

And then there is that monthly fee you have to pay, although I've no idea what it is.

[Miami Vice]

Wow. We're very short staffed here. Every once in a while, we set up checkpoints.