Cost Of DUI In Oklahoma

Reader’s Question:

I have a DUI charge here in Tulsa, Oklahoma and I’m desperate to know how much do I have to spend in the course of my trial and if I get convicted. How would I find out information about the cost of a DUI conviction?

Franklin

Tulsa, OK

There would be a considerable financial cost aside from the energy, social stigma, and time commitment involved in a DUI conviction. This could include attorney fees, court fees, mandatory DUI classes, license reinstatement costs, an ignition interlock device on your steering wheel and ongoing drug and alcohol counseling. You can start your search on how to get information on DUI costs on the Internet. You can search under ‘DUI’ for general country-wide lawyer fee estimates.

On the State of Oklahoma’s Department of Motor Vehicle website, you should be able to find specific information on DUI laws and a scale of what you could expect your costs would be, based on the severity of the violation. You can also have a dramatic increase on your insurance so you can add that to your total costs. In case you still want to get a lower rate but dependable car insurance policy after your DUI in Tulsa, Oklahoma, check out free quotes available from this website.

Oklahoma DUI First Offense

Reader’s Question:

I just moved here in Norman, Oklahoma and I heard that my neighbor was charged with DUI for a first-time DUI offense. How can he be charged with an aggravated DUI if it was the first time that he was charged with it?

Gladys

Norman, OK

During the DUI arrest of your neighbor in Norman, Oklahoma, if he had a breath or blood alcohol test of .15% or higher, the charge would be an aggravated DUI even if it is the first time that he is charged for DUI. If he will be convicted for the DUI charge of an aggravated offense, he could face all the same penalties for a first-time offense, but he would also be required to complete a mandatory in-patient treatment program with one year aftercare, 480 hours of community service and install an ignition interlock device on all the vehicles that he would be driving.

Almost all District Attorney’s office in the state of Oklahoma is filing the charge of aggravated DUI with a BAC test of .15% or higher. In the district courts where these charges are being filed, the common practice is to amend the charge back down to a regular DUI charge if the person has had an alcohol assessment that does not reflect the need for the person to complete an in-patient program.

Can I Get Permit To Drive To Work After DUI Charge In Oklahoma?

Reader’s Question:

Can I get a work permit to still drive after my DUI arrest in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma? I badly need even a restricted driver’s license because it is required in my line of work.

Ervin

Broken Arrow, OK

I understand that you really want a work permit after your driver’s license has been suspended because of your DUI arrest in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Let me just tell you first that a work permit is really expensive and quite a hassle. Also, work permits would only be granted to first time DUI offenders, or those who have their driver’s licenses revoked for a period of six months. Those who have license revocation for one year (second DUI offense in a five-year period) or three years (third DUI offense in five years) could not, by law, have a work permit at all.

To qualify for the work permit, you should pay a fee of $150 and install an ignition interlock device on any car you drive wherein you would blow into and “pass” before the ignition would work. The ignition interlock device costs about $500 for a period of six months. If you own a CDL or Commercial Driver’s License (Class A, B, or C), work permits cold no longer be obtained for anything but Class D licenses. Also, the driver’s license revocation would still be on your record forever.

What Is An Aggravated DUI In Oklahoma?

Reader’s Question:

I know someone who has been charged with an aggravated DUI here in Oklahoma. What is the difference between an aggravated DUI case and an ordinary DUI case? Can an aggravated DUI case be tried in the municipal court and are the penalties harsher?

Sam
East Canadian, OK

An aggravated DUI is a DUI case wherein the person suspected for the crime had a chemical test results of 15% or higher on either a blood or breath test. This DUI case could only be filed as a State-level charge in a District Court, not a municipal court charge, unless the particular Municipality has added it to their ordinances, but most have not.

It is not considered a new crime at all but another layer of punishment that is laid on top of that offense which the statute would otherwise provide. For example, if the DUI case in East Canadian, Oklahoma is a misdemeanor DUI, the punishment is a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of one year in the county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. If the said charge is filed as an aggravated DUI case, the possible punishments are the same and there would be extra punishments. Those additional include a minimum stay in an alcohol in-patient treatment facility of 28 days, one year aftercare probation period (or meetings) upon release from inpatient, periodic testing during the probationary period, completion of 480 hours of community service and installation of an ignition interlock device on the person’s car for no less than 30 days.