When you are convicted of driving while intoxicated, your freedom is not the only thing on the line. Your finances, too, can be affected by a DWI conviction in several ways. It is an often-overlooked consequence since people tend to focus more on other drunk driving penalties like jail terms.
Here is how a DWI conviction can be a costly affair:
Fines
Fines are perhaps the most direct costs of a DUI conviction. In Missouri, a drunk driving conviction for a first offender is a Class B misdemeanor punishable with a fine of $1000. For repeat offenders, the amount is higher, sometimes running in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Increased Motor vehicle insurance
Your insurer is likely to increase your premiums once they discover you are a reckless driver. Your insurance bill may go up, amounting to a significant sum at the end of the year.
Dealing with a suspended or revoked license
When your license is suspended following a DWI case, but you have to move around when getting to work, getting alternative means can be expensive and inconvenient. On top of that, you will still have to pay when having your license reinstated.
Lost wages
Court dates and hearings can take up a lot of your time which you would have otherwise spent working. There is also a possibility of losing your job if you end up in jail for a DWI.
What you need to do
To shield yourself from these and other financial losses, avoiding a conviction is your best bet when you are charged with DWI. Therefore, you need to have a spirited defense and a well-crafted strategy of how you will go about countering the charges against you to ensure a successful outcome of your trial.