Texas DWI Costs

When it comes to getting a DWI in the state of Texas, the overall cost can exceed upwards of $20,000 if you end up getting convicted. Oftentimes, in terms of many drunk driving offenses in the state, some of the most common direct and indirect Texas DWI costs include the following:

• Surcharges
• Fines
• Lawyer fees
• Court costs
• Prison sentences
• Jail time
• Bail bonds
• Driver’s license suspension
• Community service
• Drunk driving educational programs
• Costly auto insurance
• Auto towing fees

Even though the overall cost of hiring a DWI attorney can sound high (depending on the case itself, the cost can be between $5,000 and $20,000), the cost itself can be a great deal less than the overall cost of getting convicted for a DWI, especially in the city of Houston.

In terms of auto towing fees, you can expect to pay upwards of between $200 and $450, as well as impound fees of $20 per day on average.

When it comes to bail bonds, these are often considered to be perhaps the most effective manner of securing your release after you have been arrested. The amount of this type of bond is often based on multiple factors, including the following:

• Previous DWI convictions
• Blood alcohol content levels
• Blood alcohol content testing compliance
• If any enhances offenses were committed

If you are a first-time offender, you will more than likely rarely pay more than $1,000; however, any amount of $100,000 or more will likely be for a more severe violation such as intoxication manslaughter. Furthermore, any bond that is secured via a bail bond company is something that will still require you to pay approximately 10% of the total out of pocket cost.

In terms of fees that involve an Administrative License Revocation Hearing, you can expect to pay approximately $200; however, it’s important to note that this cost can end up increasing in the event that more than one officer is required. If they show up in court, you will be required to pay an additional witness fee of up to $100 per officer. Generally defined, an Administrative License Revocation Hearing is a type of hearing that must be requested within 15 days of your initial arrest, and is virtually the only way to save your driver’s license. Furthermore, part of your defense will require that you pay a process server to notify all arresting officers of their need to appear.

Other types of court-imposed DWI fines must be paid in the event that you are convicted, per Texas state law. Despite the fact that the state has a fine schedule, the actual amount is determined by a judge in the event that your case goes to court. For instance, the maximum fine for any first-time offender with a blood alcohol content of less than 0.15 is $3,000; the maximum fine for any second-time offender is $4,500; the maximum fine for any third-time offender is $10,000, which also applies to any DWI offender that commits either intoxication manslaughter or intoxication assault.

Additionally, any DWI offender will also receive mandatory probation for a minimum of six months. The fee involved with this for anyone convicted is between $60 and $140 per month during the probation period, and specific conditions will apply depending on the case.

Other costs include the following:

• Mandatory drug tests, which cost $50 per test and can also be random or once per week.
• Interlock Ignition Device, which costs approximately $150 to install in your vehicle and between $70 and $100 per month afterward.
• DWI education program, which costs $70 for a 12-hour course and $160 or more for a 32-hour course.
• License Reinstatement Fee, which costs $125.