One of the most common questions about when someone is charged with a DUI is “How much is the going to set me back?”
Because of the nature of DUI penalties and the different way they affect different people, this is a complicated question to answer. During this series, we will try to explain the major costs and financial liabilities involved with a DUI conviction.
First up: Fines
Pennsylvania uses a tiered system for DUI charges. That means the penalties increased based on the number of prior offenses as well as the BAC.
Below is a chart showing the fines for each level.
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | |
| General Impairment | $300 | $300-$2,500 | $500-$5,000 |
| High Rate | $500-$5,000 | $750-$5,000 | $1,500-$10,000 |
| Highest Rate | $1,00-$5,000 | $1,500-$10,000 | $2,500-$10,000 |
As you can see, there are some very heavy fines for a DUI conviction, if you are convicted. On top of this there are many other costs such as increases in your insurance rates, the cost of getting around during your license suspension, affects on your employment as well as attorney costs.
A DUI will affect everyone differently and that is why it is a good idea to contact an experienced DUI attorney who can give you the right information so you can make the right decisions.
For a free consultation, please call 1-866-MCSHANE.
Justin McShane
PA DUI attorney Justin J. McShane is the President/CEO of The McShane Firm, LLC - Pennsylvania's top criminal law and DUI law firm. He is the highest rated DUI attorney in PA as rated by Avvo.com. Justin McShane is a double Board certified attorney. He is the first and so far the only Pennsylvania attorney to achieve American Bar Association recognized board certification in DUI defense from the National College for DUI Defense, Inc. He is also a Board Certified Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Approved Agency.