The $25,000 Martini
Long gone are the days when the bartender says, “How about one for the road?” A drink with friends after work can turn into the biggest financial quandary one may ever face. Driving while intoxicated offenses are at the forefront of America’s legal system. Whether considered driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI), the bottom line is DWI’s are expensive.
A fine is just the start of what you will pay for an intoxication conviction. Insurance rates increase, legal bills surmount, alcohol treatment, and licensing fees can push the cost into five figures. A DWI conviction is a financial disaster. Not considering the extreme humiliation and hassle a DWI has a horrible effect on your wallet your professional future.
A veteran San Antonio Police Officer explained: “If I pull you over and you have the odor of alcohol on your person especially between the hours of 10pm and 4am on Th ursday through Sunday, I don’t care who you are I am placing you under arrest. It’s not worth the risk.” The road side stop is embarrassing and dangerous enough by performing tests on a busy highway in the dark, but now you are in handcuffs, in the back of the police vehicle. It is time to make that dreaded phone call. Bail costs can range from $150 to $2,500 for a first offense, but can increase to $100,000 or more depending on the seriousness of the offense.
Driving privileges are highly affected from a DWI arrest. Towing your car from the scene can cost you from $100 to $1,200. “If you get a DWI conviction, it will likely affect your insurance rates for (at least) the next three to five years,” says a local USAA insurance agent. You may be moved to a high risk section of the department or may be dropped altogether. You will have to keep your nose clean, no traffic tickets or fender benders for at least five years to bring your rates down to the low premiums you once enjoyed. The cost of the insurance nightmare - $5000 or more.
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