Kentucky DUI Court Costs

The fine the judge announces at sentencing is only one piece of what you owe after a first-offense DUI conviction in Kentucky. Several mandatory fees stack on top of the statutory fine, and each one is collected separately with its own payment rules and consequences for non-payment.

The $425 Mandatory DUI Service Fee

The single largest mandatory cost at sentencing is the DUI service fee under KRS 189A.050. For a first-offense conviction, this fee is $425. It is assessed automatically — the judge has no discretion to waive or reduce it.

The service fee funds several state programs: the Kentucky State Police forensic laboratory, the public defender system, the circuit court clerk's office, and the administration of the Kentucky Ignition Interlock Program. Senate Bill 85 permanently increased this fee by $50 (from the older $375 figure) to establish the interlock administration fund. Many online sources and older attorney websites still cite $375 — that figure is no longer correct.

The service fee is separate from and in addition to the statutory fine. A judge who imposes a $200 fine is not including the service fee in that amount. The $425 is owed on top of whatever fine is ordered.

The Statutory Base Fine

Under KRS 189A.010(5)(a), the fine range for a first-offense DUI is $200 to $500. The judge sets the specific amount within that range based on the circumstances of the case — BAC level, cooperation with the process, prior driving record, and the presence or absence of aggravating factors.

Judges can probate the fine (meaning it is conditionally waived if you complete all sentencing requirements), but this is at the court's discretion. The $425 service fee cannot be probated.

District Court Costs

Court costs are administrative fees charged by the circuit court clerk's office for processing the case. These are standardized within each county's District Court but vary somewhat across the state. Typical court costs for a DUI case run $150 to $200.

Court costs cover case filing, docketing, the clerk's processing of sentencing paperwork, and various state surcharges mandated by the legislature. Like the service fee, court costs are mandatory — the judge cannot waive them.

Additional Local and County Fees

Depending on the county of arrest, additional fees may be assessed:

Jail booking fee. Some counties charge a booking fee when you are processed at the county detention center. This is typically $20 to $50.

Community labor supervision fee. If the judge orders community labor in lieu of jail time, the court may assess a supervision fee to cover the cost of monitoring your hours and coordinating with approved work sites.

Crime victim compensation fund. Kentucky assesses a mandatory $10 fee for the state's crime victim compensation fund on all criminal convictions.

The Payment Timeline and Consequences

At sentencing, the judge typically sets a payment deadline — often 90 to 180 days — for all fines, fees, and court costs. Some courts allow payment plans if you demonstrate financial hardship, but this requires proactive communication with the court clerk's office.

The consequences of failing to pay by the designated review date are serious:

Contempt of court. The court can issue a show-cause order requiring you to appear and explain why you have not paid. If the judge finds willful non-payment, you face potential jail time for contempt.

License suspension for non-payment. The court can report the unpaid balance to the KYTC, triggering an additional administrative suspension on top of the DUI-related suspension. This means that even after completing the ignition interlock program, substance abuse education, and reinstatement fee, you may still be unable to get your license back because of unpaid court obligations.

Collections and reporting. Outstanding court debts can be referred to the state's centralized collection program, which adds additional fees and can affect your credit.

Complete Fee Summary at Sentencing

Here is every mandatory cost assessed at or immediately after sentencing for a standard, non-aggravated first-offense DUI:

These figures do not include the $100 clinical assessment fee, the $300 to $500 substance abuse education program cost, the $40 KYTC reinstatement fee, or ignition interlock device costs — all of which are paid to different agencies outside the courtroom.

For a complete breakdown of every cost involved in a Kentucky first-offense DUI — court fees, administrative fees, and interlock expenses — the Kentucky First-Offense DUI Guide itemizes the full financial picture.

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