In SC, the first offense DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and/or DUAC (Driving with an Unlawful Alcohol Content) fines can range from $ 400 to $1,000.
| Offense | Refused to blow | BAC less than .10 | BAC is .10 but less .16 | BAC is .16 or more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUI 1st | $ 400 fine | $ 400 fine | $ 500 fine | $ 1,000 fine |
But did you know the Court will demand more money than just the fines mentioned above?
You may have to pay Court costs, fees, and surcharges in addition to the fines mentioned above. And this is important because it can more than double the $400 to $ 1,000 fine!
DUI Fine Plus 107.5% Surcharge
The exact total amount that you will have to pay is based off your DUI fine in the chart above.
An assessment is an amount added to a fine. The assessment percentage is currently at 107.5%.* That means you multiply the applicable fine amount (in the above chart) by 107.5% and you will come up with the assessment amount.
So for example, if you blew more than .15, your base fine is $1,000 (based on the chart above). But that’s not all you would pay. The court would take the $1,000 fine and multiply it by 107.5%. This is another $1070 to your original $1,000 fee, making the new subtotal $2,070!
And that’s not all.
DUI Fine Plus Fees and Costs:
You will have to pay other fees, assessments and costs in addition to those listed above. Examples include the DUI assessment, the Breathalyzer Test Conviction Fee, and the DUI Conviction Surcharge.
Other Costs:
Once you determine how much the fee for DUI is, you might think that it would be best to pay the fine and get this behind you. However, with the fines listed above, you will end up spending even more money on the things the prosecutor, court or law enforcement officer doesn’t tell you about like the cost of special, expensive car insurance (SR22) for at least 3 years
.
You will be required to pay for and complete the ADSAP program. Finally, if convicted of DUI you will NEVER be eligible to get this expunged from your criminal record. The stigma of a DUI on your criminal record will follow you the rest of your life.
*as of February 8, 2015. This amount is subject to change if this statute is modified by the Legislature. The assessment is based on the part of the DUI fine that is not suspended. Assessments can’t be reduced, suspended or waived.
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