Texas Conviction Cost Calculator
What Will a Conviction Really Cost You?
Fines and fees are just the entry price. See what a criminal conviction in Texas may cost you over the next 5 years — in penalties, insurance, lost income, and lost opportunities — before you decide how to handle your case.
50+
270+
24/7
What's Really at Stake
A criminal conviction in Texas is never just the fine on the judgment. It is court costs stacked on top of statutory penalties, months of probation fees and mandatory programs, a driver’s license you have to buy back, and insurance premiums that stay inflated for three to five years. A DWI conviction alone carries a mandatory state fine of $3,000 to $6,000 — on top of the criminal fine and court costs.
Then comes the part most people never see coming: the record itself. Employers run background checks, licensing boards open investigations, and landlords deny applications. Research from the Brennan Center for Justice found that a misdemeanor conviction reduces annual earnings by about 16 percent on average — and a felony by about 22 percent. Over five years, that is usually the largest number on this page.
Whether you are facing a misdemeanor, a felony, or federal charges, run your numbers first. Knowing what a conviction actually costs is the first step in deciding how hard to fight it.
Fines & Mandatory Fees
Texas fines run up to $10,000, plus court costs — and DWI convictions carry a mandatory $3,000–$6,000 state fine on top.
License & Insurance
Suspensions, SR-22 filings, ignition interlock devices, and insurance increases that follow you for three to five years.
Lost Income
A misdemeanor conviction cuts average annual earnings by about 16%; a felony by about 22%.
Collateral Consequences
CDLs, professional licenses, immigration status, firearm rights, housing, and custody can all be on the line.
The Cheapest Option Is Rarely Pleading Guilty
Prosecutors count on people looking at attorney fees and choosing the “cheap” way out: plead, pay, move on. The numbers above show why that is usually the most expensive decision you can make. A dismissal, an acquittal, or a reduction protects your record — and your record is what earns your living for the next few decades.
Of Our Clients Avoid Incarceration
Nearly every client we defend keeps their freedom. That’s not luck—that’s strategy.
Our goal in every case is a result that lets you move forward: a dismissal or acquittal where possible, and where it is not, an outcome that minimizes penalties and protects your future.
Board Certified® Defense
Founder Heather Barbieri is Board Certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
50+ Years Combined Experience
Hundreds of not-guilty verdicts built on evidence, strategy, and grit.
115 Point Checklist
Every case is worked through our comprehensive checklist so nothing gets missed.
Rapid Response Team
In-house investigators and public relations respond quickly to protect your case and your name.
Your Case, Our Fight
Request a Free Confidential Case Review
Disclaimer: Estimates produced by this calculator are based on Texas statutory penalties (Texas Penal Code Ch. 12; Texas Transportation Code §709.001), published Texas court cost schedules, average insurance rate data, and reported employment outcome studies (Brennan Center for Justice, 2020). Actual costs vary based on your specific circumstances, county, and case outcome. This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.