Chicago DUI lawyer discusses the penalties of a DUI ...these are the one's that hurt your pocket

This Chicago DUI lawyer just got off the phone with a friend who is a lawyer with the public defenders' office. Times are getting more difficult economically and he witnessed a rash of people who are being punished for not having money to pay court costs, fees, and fines.

All of them couldn't comply with the state's requirement of paying for a drug and alcohol evaluation. This is required for all pleas of guilt or findings of guilt in DUI cases. So what's the cost? A whopping $250 dollars, but wait there's more. That's in addition to the $250 fee that must be paid to the Secretary of State if you didn't win your Petition to Rescind Statutory Summary Suspension.(fee is for first time offender only, it cost more if it isn't your first DUI arrest) It also, doesn't include the approximately $1,000 assessed in vehicle impoundment fees simply for being charged with a DUI. Did I mention that doesn't include the installation and monthly fees for a BAIID?

Did you notice what I didn't mention? Here's a few tangibles: lawyer fees, counseling fees, time loss at work because you must appear in court, transportation cost to and from court(for those of you who aren't installing a BAIID into your car).

All of the above plus court fees and fines if you get sentenced to jail. Yep, they charge you court fees and fines even if you go to jail. Who says you can't get blood from a stone?