Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is very dangerous for everyone on the road including yourself. And as if the embarrassment and shame are not enough, with each DUI arrest there also comes a hefty price. It's not worth the risk to have that drink and try to drive. A DUI is something you will be paying for, for many years.

The cost of a DUI:

-Basic Fines: Basic fines include a bond, attorney, and court costs. A bond to be released can cost anything from $500-2000. The defendant must pay at least 10% to be released. Attorney costs depend on the seriousness of the case. Most cases start around a $1000 and go up from there. An attorney's bill does not include the court fees. Court fees can range anywhere from $200 -2000.

-Car Towing or Impound Costs: After your arrest, your vehicle will need to be removed from the streets. Car towing or impound costs can range anywhere between $100-1200 dollars.

-License Reinstatement Fees: Your license will be suspended after the DUI arrest and a fee must be paid to get it reinstated. The reinstatement fee varies by state. The cost ranges between 90-700 dollars.

-Lost Wages: A DUI can result in jail time, but even if you do not get jail time, you will still lose wages by attending court and other obligations of your DUI.

-Increase in Insurance Rates: Insurance companies will lose their trust in you after a DUI, which means rates will go up. Most insurance rates will increase about $1000-6000 per year depending on the state.

-Alternate Transportation: Without a license, you can not drive and will have to depend on others to get from point A to B. Between taxi’s and gas money for friends, it can result in daily fees.

-DUI Education Programs: Those that get arrested for a DUI, must attend an education program to learn from their mistakes. The program will usually cost a few hundred dollars.

-Probation Fees: Probation is in place to make sure clients are staying on the right track after their arrest. The probation fee is usually a monthly payment of about 50-100 dollars.

-Drug and Alcohol Assessment: If you are convicted of a DUI, you will have to undergo an evaluation to determine whether or not you have an alcohol problem. The assessment can vary in price but is usually around $100.

Overall the total costs for a DUI are around $10,000-20,000. It's not worth it. Don’t drink and drive.