Michael Kramer, Attorney at law

1311 Mamaroneck Ave
Suite 340
White Plains, NY 10605
mk@michaelkramerlaw.com

Call for a Free, 20-min,
Traffic Ticket Strategy Session

(914) 709-7161

Michael Kramer, Attorney at law

Interviewer: What is the total cost, without the attorney fees, for a DUI? Can you estimate the cost nationally on average for the past couple of years?

Michael Kramer: Well, not counting increases in car insurance, which vary, I would estimate the cost to be perhaps $1,500 to $2,500, exclusive of attorney’s fees.

Cost Based on Charge

Interviewer: For a first time offender, what are the initial fines that they’re going to pay? How much do you think that’s going to be for them?

Michael Kramer: Well, it depends on whether you get the charge reduced from the DWI misdemeanor to a lesser charge of DWAI. If it’s reduced to a DWAI, the minimum fine is $300 plus a $260 court cost. The maximum is $500 plus a $260 court cost. However, if you don’t qualify for a reduced charge and you must plead to a DWI or go to trial and you chose to plea, then the minimum fine is $500, plus the $400 court cost up to $1,000.

If you go to trial and you are convicted, the fine structure is still the same but you face other more severe penalties.

Interviewer: Now, what if someone wanted to plead guilty?

Michael Kramer: Well, pleading guilty is a form of plea bargain. You would bargain for the best sentence possible, which would include the minimum.

Deal vs. Trial

Interviewer: I wanted to just to get a recap a little bit here on the differences of costs when someone’s accepted a deal versus pursuing a trial.

Michael Kramer: If you’re convicted the costs are approximately the same, depending on what you’re convicted of. The increased cost comes into play with regard to trial preparation, with regard to attorney’s fees, with regard to expert witness fees. Those are substantial additional costs of going to trial, but with regard to a sentence those costs are fixed; they’re mandatory they are minimum fines set by law.

Obviously, if you’re found not guilty of everything you’d save yourself substantial court costs. However, on the other side you’ve spent a substantial amount to conduct the trial.

Promise to Appear & Bond

Interviewer: I understand there is a cost for a promise to appear and a cash bond.

Michael Kramer: Well, it’s an expense but it’s an expense that you get back at the end of the case, so you’re not out the money. On most first time DWI offenses you’re released on your own recognizance, so no money has to be posted.

Michael Kramer, Esq.

Call for a Free, 20-min,
Traffic Ticket Strategy Session
(914) 709-7161