Texas DWI Defense Center

Approximately 1.5 million people are arrested for DWI annually in the United States. The DWI machine snares many fine, upstanding people. You don’t have to be guilty or a bad person to be accused. Sometimes, good people get in bad trouble; when they do, they need a good lawyer.

How Much Does a DWI Cost in Texas?

Because it varies greatly, the answer is not the same for everyone. In any case, it’s not a pretty picture. The amounts listed here are only estimates for a first-time offense and should not be taken literally. Repeated offenses result in increased penalties.

When someone is arrested, their car is usually towed and stored. Fees range between $45 and $100.

A $100 reinstatement fee is required if the driver’s license (or privilege to obtain a license) is suspended following an ALR hearing or if no hearing is requested.

Bail costs vary widely depending on various factors. A few fortunate people are granted personal recognizance bonds, which cost nothing except the promise to appear in court. Most people, however, must pay between $50 and $500 to be released.

Some counties require pretrial supervision (believe it or not, probation even before conviction, solely based on the accusation) and monthly fees of around $20 until the case is resolved.

The fine for a first offense ranges between $0 and $2000, with a typical fine of $500.

Court fees range between $160 and $300, not including subpoena fees. A $15 fee is added if a videotape is used.

The length of probation determines the probation fees in Texas. The statutory range for such fees is $25-$40 per month so that two-year probation can cost up to $960.

Regular probation conditions include completing a Texas DWI education program, which costs $50-$75. Private alcoholism counseling or treatment can cost thousands of dollars. There may be less expensive government programs available.

Without a doubt, insurance rates will skyrocket, and options will be limited. The insurer may require a six-month advance purchase. An SR-22, which the state requires, is $50 more. A lapse in coverage can result in the suspension of a driver’s license.

One of the most important variables is the impact on the driver’s insurance rate. State Farm and Allstate, for example, will simply refuse coverage. Price is determined by various factors, including age, marital status, make and model of car driven, levels and type of coverage sought, driving record, and whether the DWI involved a wreck or other charges.

Attorney fees, of course, vary greatly. Depending on various factors, they can vary from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.

Other indirect costs include lost work due to court appearances and jail time. In most wreck cases, restitution for injuries and property damage is a condition of probation. While a driver’s license is suspended, transportation costs include cab or bus fares. Occupational licenses, which necessitate the filing of a lawsuit, also cost hundreds of dollars.

Other factors to consider include the possibility of job loss or a reduction in opportunities. Marriages and other personal relationships are frequently severely and profoundly harmed.

How much will a DWI conviction set you back? The short answer is a lot. Given the extraordinary consequences of a conviction, it is critical to obtain competent legal counsel. Many people seem to believe they cannot afford a lawyer and, therefore, appear in court and plead guilty without representation. Please seek the assistance of a competent Texas DWI defense attorney; do not go it alone. After all, that attorney fee may not seem so bad in the long run.