Driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges in Texas come with substantial legal, financial, and personal consequences. Financial impacts can include the immediate costs of your vehicle being impounded, hefty fines or bail, and the long-term costs of increased insurance premiums and restitution.
You could reduce DWI costs and save money with the proper legal guidance. This article breaks down DWI costs and explains how effective legal representation can reduce them.
Vehicle Impound Fees
The first financial hurdle you will face after a DWI arrest in Texas is the expense of obtaining your vehicle from an impound lot. When you are arrested, your car will be towed and stored in a garage. The longer it stays there, the more fees it incurs. Therefore, this can become expensive quickly.
Towing Fees
Tow service charges are usually between $150 and $300, depending on the tow company, the distance your vehicle has to be transported, and the equipment needed to tow it (for example, flatbeds for nonoperational vehicles). Towing fees are often higher if your car is towed during weekends, holidays, or outside regular business hours.
Storage Fees
Storage fees accumulate once your car is brought into the impound lot. Storage fees are about $20 to $50 per day, depending on where your vehicle is stored. You could be charged more if you live in a city with high demand. The longer you delay retrieving your vehicle, whether because you cannot post bail or do not even know where your car is, the more you will pay.
Administrative Costs
Some impound lots also charge additional administrative fees, such as documentation or release fees, ranging from $50 to $100.
When your car is released from custody, you should act quickly to recover it. You should also contact the impound lot immediately to find out where your vehicle is being stored and the total cost of recovering it.
Arrange transportation to the lot as soon as possible to avoid additional storage fees. Working with an experienced attorney will make the recovery process more straightforward.
Bail Costs
After your arrest, you might be required to post bail to be released before your trial or a resolution is reached for your case. The bail amount varies depending on the circumstances of your arrest and your criminal record. If you are a second or subsequent offender, your bail amount will likely be higher than a first-time offense.
How Bail Works
Bai is a financial assurance that you will attend all court hearings. If you miss attending even a hearing, the court could forfeit your bail, and you could face additional charges. The judge will set your bail amount depending on how severe your DWI offense was. If you injured or caused the death of a person while driving while intoxicated, you could be penalized to pay a higher bail amount.
If you are a first-time offender, you could be asked to pay a bail of $500 to $1500. If there were any aggravating factors, such as driving while intoxicated with a minor in the vehicle, your bail amount could rise to $100,000 or more. The bail amounts could be even higher if you are a repeat offender.
Options for Posting Bail
- Cash Bail: If you meet the court requirements, you can pay the entire bail amount upfront, which will be refunded when your case is resolved.
- Bail Bond Services: If you cannot pay cash bail, a bail bond company (for a non-refundable fee of 10-15% of the total bail amount) will post bail for you. As an example, if your bail is set at $5000, the bond fee will be $500.
As a condition for release on bail, the judge could also demand that you undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing, wear an ankle monitor, and attend treatment programs. Extra costs accompany all these conditions. If you do not comply with the bond conditions, you may be rearrested and remain in custody until your case is resolved.
Lost Wages
A DWI arrest could have detrimental effects on your earning capacity. The time you spend in jail before posting bail, missing work to attend court proceedings, and being required to pay a fee for alcohol education classes. Hourly workers and those without paid-off days cannot recover lost wages.
A DWI charge can also put your job at risk if your employer requires you to have a clean driving record or vehicle operation. You could also lose your job if your employer worries about trust and professionalism, even if you are in a non-driver job.
Tips to Reduce the Impact of DWI Conviction
- Talk with your employer and inform them that you require a flexible schedule.
- Seek the services of a DWI attorney who can appear in court on your behalf, reducing your court appearance significantly.
- If your insurance was suspended, you should arrange secure alternative transportation to continue going to work.
Court-Related Expenses
Court-related expenses form a significant part of the financial burden of a DWI in Texas. They include court fees, fines, and additional costs depending on the seriousness of the charges and if aggravating factors exist.
Court Fees
You are responsible for covering court costs regardless of the outcome. These fees include filing charges, administrative costs, and probation-related expenses. Depending on your jurisdiction, Texas court fees range from $250 to $750.
Fines for DWI Convictions
Those convicted of DWI in Texas face hefty fines. A first-offense DWI could have you penalized to pay $2,000 and a second DWI up to $4000. If convicted of a third or subsequent DWI offense or if you committed any DWI with aggravating factors, such as being intoxicated while driving with a child or passengers, you can face fines of up to $10,000.
Enhanced Penalties and Aggravating Factors
Certain conditions could make you face more severe penalties. They include:
- Intoxication Assault: Driving while intoxicated could result in serious bodily injury. You could face increased fines, and a misdemeanor could be upgraded to a felony charge.
- Child Passenger: Driving with passengers under 15 years while intoxicated could lead to a fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment.
When you hire a DWI attorney immediately after you are arrested, they may be able to negotiate reduced fines or alternative sentencing. You should work with a local attorney familiar with that jurisdiction's laws. This is because court fees differ from county to county.
Texas Driver Responsibility Program Fees
Apart from impounding and court fees, you must pay additional costs for a DWI conviction in Texas. The Texas Driver Responsibility Program (DRP) requires that you pay annual surcharges to receive and maintain your driving privileges. Though this program expired in 2019, some aspects of the reinstatement of a license and related fees still apply. They include the following:
License Suspension Fees
A DWI conviction usually means that your driver’s license will be suspended for at least 90 days and a maximum of 2 years. If you want to reinstate your license, you will have to pay a reinstatement fee between $100 and $125, in addition to whatever else the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) requires.
Occupational Driver’s License (ODL)
To continue enjoying some driving privileges, you must apply for an ODL. This will allow you to drive to your workplace and school only. You should not use it to drive to any other place. However, to obtain an ODL, you must pay additional court fees, filing fees, and sometimes SR-22 insurance, a specialized policy that can drive up your premiums.
Other Related Costs
To meet reinstatement requirements, you may also be required to pay additional fees and provide proof of financial responsibility. If you do not comply, you could spend even more, and the suspension period could be extended. Your DWI defense lawyer will help you comply with all reinstatement requirements and prevent delays.
Alcohol Education Programs
After a DWI conviction in Texas, you will be required to participate in alcohol education programs. These programs teach you the gravity of driving while impaired and how to avoid committing this offense again. You have to pay fees to attend these programs and set aside time to attend them.
First-Time Offender DWI Education Classes
First-time offenders are required to complete a 12-hour DWI education program. In this program, you will learn about the consequences of driving while intoxicated and responsible behavior. On average, these classes cost between $70 and $200 per provider and location.
Second on Subsequent Time Offenders DWI Intervention Programs
If you are a repeat offender, you may be referred to a more intensive 32-hour DWI Intervention Program. These classes aim to discover the patterns of your substance abuse and strategies to prevent future offenses. These courses are more expensive and can cost $250 to $400.
Victim Impact Panels
The judge may require you to attend a victim impact panel. These sessions involve people who have been affected by impaired driving. These classes emphasize the personal and societal consequences of driving while intoxicated.
You may also have to cover transportation costs to attend classes in person. If you do not attend or miss a single session of these classes, you may be penalized, or your license reinstatement may be delayed.
The Costs of Interlock Ignition Devices
The judge could have you install an interlock ignition device (IID) in your vehicle as part of fulfilling your punishment after a DWI conviction. This device prevents your vehicle from starting unless you pass a breathalyzer test to make sure you are not drunk. The cost of installing and maintaining an IID is substantial. However, this device helps you not to commit a DWI offense again.
Installation Costs
Installing an IID ranges from $70 to $150, depending on your provider and vehicle type. Customization may also incur additional fees.
Monthly Maintenance Fees
The device requires a monthly rental fee ranging from $60 to $100. This fee covers monitoring, regular maintenance, and reporting data to the court or probation officer.
Duration of Requirement
If you are a repeat offender, the length of time you must keep the IID installed depends on the severity of the offense. If you are a first-time offender, you will have the device installed for up to 6 months to a year. If you are a repeat offender, you may be required to have it installed for up to 2 years. This means you incur monthly costs until you can remove it.
If you do not comply with the IID rules, such as failing to attend calibration appointments or trying to tamper with the device, you could face additional fines and an extended monitoring period. These penalties could amount to hundreds of dollars.
There are occasions in which the court may reduce or waive fees. Your lawyer could help you show financial hardship. If the judge approves, they could waive your fees.
Increased Motor Vehicle Insurance Premiums
Your motor vehicle insurance premiums could increase after a DWI conviction. Insurance companies see a DWI conviction as a sign of increased risk that could directly impact your premiums.
Impact on Insurance Rates
Your insurance premiums can increase by 50% or more, depending on your provider and driving history, if you obtain a DWI conviction. For example, if you paid $1,500 a year in insurance, your rates could rise to $3,000 or more after a sentence.
SR-22 Insurance Requirements
After a DWI conviction in Texas, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) may require you to obtain an SR-22 certificate. Your insurance provider issues this certificate to show that your car insurance policy has the required minimum liability coverage. It is issued because you have a DWI conviction.
SR-22 policies cost more than standard insurance; you must carry them for two to three years. SR22 fees are relatively cheap, about $25, but the higher premiums can increase over time.
Duration of Increased Premiums
Insurance companies will classify you as a high-risk driver for three to five years following your DWI conviction. This classification directly affects your ability to find affordable coverage during that time.
DWI Restitution
In Texas, restitution is a monetary obligation under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 42.037, ordered by the court. It is meant to compensate your victims for the losses they incurred due to your intoxicated driving. Restitution is different from fines and court costs. It is mandatory when you are injured or cost someone money.
Restitution seeks to put victims in the same financial position they would have been in if they had not been injured or lost valuable property because of drunk driving. Restitution cannot be considered punitive; it involves measurable losses such as property damage, medical bills, or lost wages for victims.
In the context of a DWI, restitution might cover:
- Vehicle Damage: If you cause a car accident because you were drunk driving, you must pay for the repair or replacement costs of the other driver’s vehicle(s).
- Medical Expenses: In a DWI accident, victims may incur hospital bills such as admission fees, surgery fees, rehabilitation, and other medical treatment, all of which require reimbursement.
- Lost Wages: Restitution could include compensation for lost income if the victim could not work because of injuries.
- Funeral Expenses: In cases of a fatality, restitution may include the cost of a funeral and burial.
Criteria for Determining Restitution
The court considers evidence presented by the victim or the prosecution to determine restitution. This includes:
- Documentation of Losses: Your victim could show financial damages through receipts, medical bills, and repair estimates.
- Expert Testimony: Experts may also provide valuations for property damage or long-term medical care costs in some cases.
Therefore, the final restitution ordered will be based on the amount of damages and the judge’s determination of your ability to pay. If you do not pay the restitution, you could face additional penalties, revoked probation, and a rearrest.
How Your Lawyer Helps Reduce Your DWI Costs
An experienced DWI defense attorney will fight your DWI charges to have them reduced or dismissed. They could question the prosecution’s evidence, mainly if it entails loopholes. If a conviction is inevitable, your lawyer may convince the judge to sentence you to probation instead of jail term.
Your lawyer could also represent you at DMV hearings, help reinstate your driver’s license, and protect your reputation. Your lawyer should help you strategize and develop solid strategies to mitigate the impact of a DWI charge. You save money if your lawyer beats the case or has your charges reduced.
Find a Fort Worth DWI Defense Attorney Near Me
Hiring a DWI defense lawyer could mean the difference between paying lots of money in DWI costs after a conviction and saving money by reduced bail, fines, or even dropped charges. If you are facing charges for DWI, with the proper legal support, you can work towards minimizing the possible financial, legal, and personal impacts.
At Fort Worth DWI Defense Lawyer, we are ready to review the case and advise you on the mitigation measures you should undertake to reduce DWI costs. Call us at 817-470-2128 to schedule a consultation and discuss your case.
