legal · 2026-05-01
Project the full all-in cost of a DUI conviction over 5 years — fines, attorney, IID, SR-22, treatment, license reinstatement, lost work, insurance increase.
| Defense attorney | $4,500 |
| Court fines + costs | $2,500 |
| Pre-DUI annual insurance | $1,500 |
| Insurance multiplier post-DUI | 200% |
| Years on insurance record | 5 |
| IID install + monthly × 12 | $1,200 |
| Court-ordered treatment | $1,500 |
| Lost wages (jail / court) | $2,000 |
| Direct legal costs | $9,000 |
| Insurance impact (5yr) | $15,000 |
| Compliance & treatment | $2,700 |
The MADD-quoted "$10,000 average" for a first DUI is conservative. Once insurance impact compounds across 5 years, the realistic total for a first-offense, no-injury DUI in a typical state is $15,000-25,000. With injury or property damage, six figures.
DUI trial economics: a public defender or hired counsel takes the case to trial when (a) BAC was below 0.08 + suspect testing, or (b) the stop itself was unconstitutional. Trial cost: $10-20k incremental over a plea. Worth it only if win-rate × (acquittal value) > marginal cost.
Far worse. A DUI moves you from preferred-tier (Geico, Progressive standard) to high-risk (Hagerty, The General, FR-44 / SR-22 carriers). Premiums often double or triple. Some carriers drop you entirely. Plan on this premium structure for 3-5 years before you can shop back to standard carriers.
Ignition Interlock Device — a breathalyzer wired to your ignition. You blow, it tests, the car starts only below 0.025 BAC. Required in most states for first-offense DUI for 6-12 months. Install cost ~$100, monthly lease + calibration ~$80. You pay it. Tampering is a felony.
In some states (CA, OR), yes, after 3-7 years if you complete probation. In others (FL, MS, NY, TX), no — the conviction stays on your record permanently, including for employment and insurance purposes. The 'expungement-eligible' question should be asked at plea time, not later.