You are probably aware that a DUI is really expensive in Shepherdsville and Bullitt County, Kentucky, or anywhere in the surrounding counties of the Louisville area. I often reference an article written by MSN called “DUI: The $10,000 Ride Home.” This article outlines all the costs of a DUI, from attorney’s fees to the towing of your vehicle. It also makes it clear why it is important to hire an experienced local DUI attorney if you have been arrested for DUI in Jefferson, Bullitt, Hardin, Spencer, Shelby, and Oldham counties here in Kentucky.
Here in Kentucky, and, in fact, across all 50 states, a driver is considered to be “under the influence” if the driver’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. It may surprise you that the blood test or breathalyzer result isn’t necessary for law enforcement to detain you and press charges. Once you are taken into custody for a DUI, your checkbook is about to be hit with a lot of unavoidable expenses. You are also going to need an experienced, proven DUI defense attorney with you at every step in the process.
My name is John Schmidt, and after more than 25 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney in DUI charges, penalties and defense, I can tell you there is a lot I can do to minimize the impact of the DUI on your personal and professional life, and to help to reduce the consequences you may face now, and in the future.
A DUI is really expensive in Shepherdsville and all areas in the Louisville region, even if this is your first DUI. The first cost of the night results from the towing of your vehicle. The Louisville towing fee was increased in the past few years to $150 per hour, or any fraction of an hour. In addition, the lot charges a handling fee of at least $10 per vehicle and a daily fee of $30 for every day your vehicle remains in the lot. This doesn’t account for any charges from a resulting parking violation.
The cost of your automobile insurance policy will absolutely increase after your first DUI, or any subsequent offense. This will not be a slight monthly increase by anyone’s measure. You will lose your driver’s license for a period of time. There are usually costs associated with public transportation, ride shares, and even the cost of treating friends or family as a “thank you” for the “to and from” rides they will need to provide.
Are you professionally licensed? A DUI can have an impact on your professional license, often resulting in restrictions, a potential suspension, and in some cases, revocation. Most professional licensing organizations have specific guidelines for licensed professionals charged with a DUI.
If this is your first DUI, you will be fined at least $200, and typically closer to $500, as well as a service fee exceeding $300 and additional Court costs. The Court will impose these fees, and part of any plea or verdict (except when we achieve a dismissal of your case) will be the mandatory “alcohol or substance abuse education or treatment program.” Self-pay or cash costs for a typical recovery program include an initial DUI assessment ($75), the education program itself including a workbook (paid in full with 30 days of program entry) ($300+), DUI individual treatment counseling ($80+ per session) or group counseling ($40+ per session) or a DUI Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) (at least $125 per session, usually more). You can see why a DUI is really expensive in Shepherdsville and Bullitt County, or anywhere around Louisville.
You will be required to attend a MADD Victim Impact Program and complete 40 hours of volunteer work with an approved or designated program or provider.
Those in a DUI program must appear before the Court in approximately three months to review their progress, status, and completion of all requirements established by the Court to date. The next step (Phase II) requires completing an additional 37 hours of volunteer work at one of the program’s approved charitable or governmental organizations.
The installation of an Ignition Interlock System through the Kentucky Ignition Interlock Program (KIIP) is often a sound strategy to reduce the time associated with any driver’s license suspension, even if this isn’t your first DUI.
A DUI is really expensive in Shepherdsville and Bullitt County, or anywhere in the Louisville area. If you are facing a DUI, whether it is your first offense or you have had another DUI within the past 5 years, you are going to need an experienced, proven, and effective DUI defense attorney. There is a lot I can do to reduce the cost and consequences of what has happened, protect your ability to drive, and guide you through the process.
We invite you to contact us via e-mail, schedule an appointment or call us today at (502) 509-1490 to get the advice and aggressive criminal defense you need and deserve. At the Law Offices of John Schmidt & Associates we bring more than 25 years of experience to your side of the equation, manage the situation you face and the allegations against you, and work hard to achieve a much better outcome in your case than you can or will accomplish on your own.
