Orange County DUI Conviction Fines and Fees
In addition to possible jail time and the suspension of your driver’s license, you will be required to pay some severe fines if you are convicted of driving while under the influence (DUI). California Vehicle Code Section 23536 states that you will pay a fine of between $390 and $1,000 for your first DUI conviction. In reality, the actual cost of your DUI conviction in Orange County could cost you over $16,000.
Orange County Fines and Fees for A DUI
In addition to the fine listed in the statute, you will be required to pay the following fines and fees for your DUI conviction:
- $390 – Base Fine
- $868 – Penalty Assessment
- $120 – Mandatory State Restitution Fine
- $50 – Alcohol Abuse Education Fee
- $50 – DUI Lab/Blood Alcohol Penalty
- $100 – Alcohol & Drug Assessment Program Fee
- $120 – Probation Revocation Restitution Fine
- $40 – Court Operations Fee
- $30 – Criminal Conviction Assessment Fee per conviction
- $35 – Criminal Conviction Assessment Fee per infraction; and
- $233 – Booking Fee
The fines and fees you will have to pay to the court can cost up to $1,994.
Other Costs for a DUI Conviction in Orange County
A. Insurance Costs
You may have your car insurance cancelled or insurance premium significantly raised for up to seven years. Insurance carriers can raise your premium by $1,000 or more per year when you have been convicted of a DUI. Over a seven year period, your increased insurance premiums could cost you up to $7,000.
B. DMV Fees
If you have your driver’s license suspended, you will face even more costs. You will need to arrange other forms of transportation, such as taking the bus or carpooling with a friend. After your suspension period, you will have to pay a $55 reissue fee and a $100 administrative fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to get your driver’s license reinstated.
C. Employment Costs
You will also have to take time off from work to attend court hearings for your DUI case. The days you take off from work may be unpaid and you will lose the income you would have received had you been at work during your court hearings. In some cases, you could even lose your job and your professional license when you have a DUI conviction.
D. Legal Costs
With so much at stake, you will need to retain an experienced attorney to represent you in court. Experienced attorneys usually charge $2,500 to $7,500 for their services.
All of these costs can add up to over $16,649, not including the potential loss of your income.
Orange County DUI Defense Attorney
The punishment for a DUI conviction can be severe. The experienced Orange County DUI defense attorneys from Wallin & Klarich can help you avoid a high percentage of these costs, as well as possible jail time and the suspension of your driver’s license.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI in Orange County, you need an experienced DUI defense attorney to represent you. The DUI attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have over 30 years of experience defending DUI cases. We have the knowledge and experience to help assist you in your DUI case. We have offices in Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties. Call us now at 877-4-NO-JAIL or 877-466-5245. We will be there when you call.
