Costs of DUI can add up fast

The costs of a DUI arrest last longer than a happy buzz from a New Year’s champagne toast and hurt more than a hangover headache.

All told, a night of drunken indiscretion behind the wheel of a car can cost thousands of dollars, not to mention the embarrassment and challenges that come with a conviction.

If it’s not the first time a person’s been caught driving drunk, or if their drunkenness results in an accident, hurting others or damaging property, the penalties and costs of a DUI arrest increase exponentially.

“Most people end up paying for a DUI for the rest of their driving career,” Idaho State Police Capt. Wayne Longo said. “To an insurance company, it’s a red flag.”

“Know your limit: The blood-alcohol limit is 0.08 in Idaho, Washington and every other state in the nation. How many drinks before you reach the legal limit? That depends on a number of factors, including gender and weight. It could be as few as two or three drinks in an hour.

“It’s based on your level of impairment,” said Trooper Jeff Sevigney of the Washington State Patrol. “If you are taking prescription drugs that you are not supposed to mix with alcohol, maybe you only did have one drink. But that drink in combination with medication you are taking increases the risk.”

“Behind bars: A DUI arrest could mean at least a night in jail, if not more. Bail in Idaho and Washington for a first-time DUI offense is $500 minimum. In Idaho, bail for a second offense is $1,000. The amounts increase if the drunk driver is from out of the area or has a prior record, according to Kootenai County Deputy Prosecutor Linsey Mattison.

In Spokane County, most first offenders are released on their own recognizance. The bail range for a second offense could be $2,500 to $10,000, said Craig Gardner, Spokane County assistant public defender.

“It depends on how long ago the last offense was and how serious the new offense is,” Gardner said.

“Getting towed: Expect to pay $300 to $500 for towing and impound fees.

“License suspension: Refusing to take a breathalyzer test in Idaho can result in a $250 civil fine and automatic suspension of a driver’s license for a year. If a driver takes the test and fails there’s no fine, but their license still will be suspended for 90 days, Kootenai County Magistrate Barry Watson said.

There is no civil fine in Washington for refusing a breath test, but it’s an automatic one-year license revocation. A second refusal within seven years means a two-year revocation. Adults with a blood alcohol content above the 0.08 limit, and minors registering 0.02 or greater can expect a 90-day revocation of their driver’s license.

“Interlock device: Since 2004, Washington courts require anyone convicted of a DUI to have an ignition interlock device installed on their vehicle for at least one year. It costs about $70 a month.

“License reinstatement: Once your license gets taken away, you’ll have to pay to get it back. License reinstatement fees charged by the Idaho Department of Transportation are $180 for a DUI. In Washington the fee is $150, plus proof that an interlock device has been installed.

“Representation: Attorneys will likely ask for a retainer before they’ll represent you in court, an upfront cost of at least $1,000.

“Court costs and fees: A first-time offense in Kootenai County could cost $750 in fines and court costs, with a sentence of at least a couple of days in jail or, in the alternative, participation in the county labor program. If a judge allows work release in lieu of jail, there’s a fee associated with that, too.

In Washington, court fees are included in the mandatory minimum fines, which go up with the level of intoxication. Minimum fines for a person with a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 are a minimum of $866 for a first offender and $1,971 for multiple offenses and can go up to $5,000. There is also a standard probation fee of $420 and a per-day fee for work release.

“Evaluations and treatment: North Idaho judges typically require a substance abuse evaluation, at a cost of $60 to $100. If treatment is recommended, the costs can range from $100 to $1,000. Treatment is mandatory in Washington, and costs are determined by the court, Spokane’s Gardner said. In Washington, an outpatient program typically costs $2,000.

“It gets very expensive,” Idaho’s Watson said.