How much do the fines for a DUI cost?

A DUI conviction sometimes carries jail time, but it always carries a fine. Fines vary by state and by offense. A person’s first DUI offense will have a fine less than a second or third offense.  For example, in Connecticut, a first offense carries a fine anywhere from $500.00 to $1,000.00 depending on the level of blood alcohol content and other circumstances.  A second offense in Connecticut though will be anywhere from $1,000.00 to $4,000.00 and a third offense results in fines from $2,000.00 to $8,000.00.

Illinois increases the amount of fines not only on the blood alcohol content, but depending on the passengers in the vehicle. A person who is convicted of a DUI while transporting a child under the age of 16 faces an additional fine of $1,000.00 on the first offense, a possible addition of up to $25,000.00 on the second offense, and a mandatory fine of an additional $25,000.00 if a child is in the vehicle at the time of the third offense.  In Texas, you can be fined up to $10,000.00 even on your first offense if you have a minor under the age of 15 in your vehicle at the time of the DUI.

In Minnesota, there is a $1,000.00 fine for the first DUI regardless of extent over the legal limit of blood alcohol and regardless of passengers. There are additional fees required to have your license reinstated following mandatory suspension after the first DUI which add up to about another $900.00. 

Every state has very different consequences for DUI’s. You can check your state’s laws online by going to your state’s department of motor vehicle website or to the state court’s website.