Attorney: It's cheaper to take a limo every weekend than to get one DWI | News

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Anyone planning on drinking on New Year's Eve had better find a way to get home without driving; not just because drunk driving is illegal and dangerous, but because offenders will be forced to shell out a lot of money if charged with a DWI.

Wilmington DWI attorney Jason Minnicozzi says it'd be cheaper to take a limo every weekend than to get caught drinking and driving once.

For folks who want to ring in the new year with some spirit (and spirits away from home), it's best for them to just leave their car in the driveway.

Minnicozzi says the costs of getting arrested for driving while impaired add up fast.

For a first time offense, offenders start with having to fork over between $400 and $750 just in fines and court costs. On top of that, they also have to pay the DMV to get their licenses back, and the costs continue to rack up.

"You start adding in attorney's fees and insurance costs, [and it adds up to] well above $10,000 dollars, and that's just for a first time offense," said Minnicozzi.

He adds that hiring a lawyer can cost between $1,500 and $3,000, and while legal counsel can often prove to be a good investment, Minnicozzi says that when it comes to drunk driving, there's not much that lawyers can do.

"Probably nine times out of 10, it's going to result in a conviction," said Minnicozzi.

He says 20 or 30 years ago, a cop might turn a blind eye and not charge someone, but times have changed.

Minnicozzi thinks that guidelines for New Year's Eve partying are pretty clear. "If you're going to go out and drink, get a cab," he said. "If you can't afford a cab, don't drink."

He also says another thing people often suggest when going out is having a designated driver.

He says if you're going to go that route, make sure your driver can resist the peer pressure to start drinking, because then you'll still be stuck and will need to find a cab or another way home.

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