People focus on the fine, but a DWI sets off a chain of costs that continue for years. Seeing the whole picture is how you make good decisions, and it is exactly why a single, fixed legal fee makes sense when so much else about a DWI is expensive and open-ended.
The court and DMV costs
On a first misdemeanor DWI, the court fine runs $500 to $1,000 ($1,000–$2,500 for an Aggravated DWI). On top of that, every conviction carries a mandatory state surcharge ($175 for a misdemeanor, $300 for a felony) plus a $25 crime victim assistance fee, and the DMV adds a separate Driver Responsibility Assessment of $250 a year for three years, $750, just for having the conviction.
Interlock, program, and insurance
A DWI conviction requires an ignition interlock device on any vehicle you own or operate for at least 12 months, at your expense. The Impaired Driver Program has its own fee. And the long tail is insurance: premiums typically rise sharply for years after a conviction, often the largest single cost of all. See the full consequences for the complete breakdown.
The one number you can fix: the legal fee
Almost everything above is set by the State and the court and is out of anyone's hands. Your legal fee does not have to be. Jonathan charges a flat $1,500 for misdemeanor DWI representation from start to finish, not an hourly meter, not a "low fee now, more later" trap. One clear number you can plan around, while the defense works to reduce or eliminate the costs above by fighting for a reduction or dismissal.
Figures reflect current New York law (VTL §§1192, 1193, 1809; NY DMV) as of 2026 and are general information, not legal advice. Your exact exposure depends on the facts of your case.