A DUI in Lancaster County isn’t cheap. From the moment you’re arrested, costs begin to add up quickly, making a significant financial impact on you and your family.
Learn more about the DUI costs in Lancaster you can expect if you’ve been charged or convicted.
Near-Term DUI Costs
1. Towing Fees
Police may have your car towed after arrest, or it may need to be towed if the incident involved an accident. You are responsible for the fees charged by the garage or towing company.
2. Bail
Bail is set at the time of your preliminary hearing at Lancaster County’s DUI Central Court. First-time offenders are often released the same day without the need to post bond. Second- and third-time offenders usually don’t need to post money, but they will have Bail Supervision as well as random drug tests and a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring) device as conditions of bail.
3. Car Repairs, Deductibles, and Related Costs
If your car was damaged in the incident, you may need to pay out of pocket for car repairs, the deductible, or other costs not covered under your policy. Talk with your insurance agent to determine what the policy covers versus what costs you’ll be responsible for related to your damaged car.
You’ll also be responsible for covering the deductible and insurance costs for other cars that may have been damaged during the incident. Expect to pay for the other drivers’ repair bills, too, even when covered by insurance.
4. Transportation Costs
Whether you need to g
ive gas money to a co-worker or rent a car for the family, factor in short-term transportation costs as well if your vehicle needs to be repaired.
5. Legal Fees
Costs for legal representation vary based on the attorney’s experience, the extent of your case, and whether you pursue ARD, plead guilty, or prepare for trial. Fees can range from about $1,000 for a simple case to many thousands of dollars if the case goes to trial.
6. Alcohol Monitor Costs
If this is your second or subsequent DUI offense, you may be required to wear an alcohol monitoring ankle bracelet (SCRAM) as a condition of bail. You’ll be responsible for 100 percent of the cost, which is about $400 each month. These devices are an effective way to prevent repeat drunk driving offenses. They work by detecting alcohol through perspiration. If the anklet detects a violation, a judge will revoke bail and issue a bench warrant.
Long-Term DUI Costs
7. Court Costs
DUI costs in Lancaster for supervision and fines can dent your wallet significantly. Court costs range from $2,000 to $3,000, but expect to pay toward the higher end of the range if this is your second or subsequent offense. These costs are added at the end of the case and will be monitored by probation and parole. You will pay on a bi-weekly or monthly payment plan.
8. Transportation Costs During License Suspension
From work to school to family obligations, you’ll need to arrange for alternate transportation for you—and possibly other family members—during your license suspension, which can last 12 to 18 months.
9. License Restoration Fee
Before your license is reinstated, you must obtain a restoration requirements letter from the state and pay an $80 fee.
10. Car Insurance Rate Increase
It’s estimated that a 30-year-old Pennsylvania man with good credit would see car insurance rates double after one DUI conviction. Expect to pay higher insurance rates for several years.
11. Ignition Interlock Device Costs
If this is your first offense and you tested at the highest BAC (blood alcohol content) level, or if it’s a second or subsequent DUI conviction, this device is a mandatory condition of license reinstatement. Costs, which can total more than $1,000 per car, include fees to install and lease the device as well as the fee for a special license from PennDOT. Learn more in Ignition Interlocks in Lancaster County: What Drivers Need to Know.
An expert attorney will fight for your rights so you don’t pay more DUI costs in Lancaster than necessary. Get in touch with Mark Walmer for the experienced legal guidance you deserve.