A lot of people who have received a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction tend to panic and turn to Google to find out just what that DUI will cost them. The answer isn’t as cut and dried as you might think.
Take the state of Oklahoma for example: if you look at it on paper the answer seems simple, but if you want to find out exactly what a DUI in Oklahoma will cost you, you’ll have to dig a little. Here’s a few ways a DUI in Oklahoma can cost you, and they aren’t all financial.
The cost to your wallet
A first DUI in Oklahoma will cost you up to one thousand dollars in fines. If you hire a lawyer to represent you, you’ll have to pay legal fees on top of that. You’ll also be required to pay fees, when the time comes, to reinstate your driver’s license.
If you were arrested with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over .15, even if you are a first offender, you’ll also be required to install an ignition interlock device. The cost of that ignition interlock is paid for by the offender.
The cost to your pride
Whether your receive a DUI in Oklahoma or another state, that biggest cost of a DUI might be to your pride. You might wonder how you could have made the decision to drink and then drive, and you may find that even the simplest task are difficult now.
If someone needs a ride and you haven’t installed an ignition interlock, how can you explain why your license is suspended? If you do have an ignition interlock your passenger will probably be grateful you can’t drink and drive again, but you might find blowing into it to prove your sobriety to be a bit embarrassing.
Even if you can afford the hit to your wallet, you might not like how a DUI in Oklahoma makes you feel. Thankfully it’s pretty easy to avoid incurring all of these costs: just don’t drink and drive.
Ignition Interlock Laws Exist Because of These Drunk Drivers
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