What are the Fees for a DUI Lawyer?
To pay a DUI lawyer to keep you out of jail; to pay a DUY lawyer to keep a criminal charge off your record; to pay a DUI lawyer to win your case in court; and/or to pay a DUI lawyer to help you get a restricted driver’s license.
Typically, a DUI lawyer will charge fees for a variety of services. First, he/she will charge fees for their time. So if you call him/her, or show up for a consultation, it will be at their hourly rate. Second, a DUI lawyer will charge fees for administrative services. These fees are charged when the lawyer’s staff does something; such as prepare a motion or communicate with the DMV to help you obtain a restricted driver’s license . Third, a DUI lawyer will charge fees to paid to third parties on your behalf. For instance, a lawyer may have to pay a fee to order your blood or breath test results, or travel to another county to collect evidence from law enforcement. Fourth, and most importantly, a DUI lawyer will need to charge fees to hire expert witnesses to help prepare a defense strategy in the event your case goes to trial.
DUI legal fees are necessary to ensure a proper defense of your case. A DUI case is very complex; both legally (in terms of the law) and practically (the real life outcome). All of the different examples of legal fees are essential in ensuring a proper defense of your case; and in getting your best result.
Factors that Affect DUI Lawyer Fees
The cost of legal fees in DUI cases can be influenced by a number of factors. The most substantial influence is generally the complexity of the case itself, however additional circumstances can impact what a client pays, and why.
Experience
A defense lawyer’s experience also plays a major role in the DUI legal fees incurred. As with any profession, the more experience a trial attorney has, the better (in general) they can be. There is a learning curve associated with effectively defending clients against DUI charges, and recent rulings in DUI law have an immediate impact on how the defenses will be structured for the foreseeable future. While some law offices advocate for using the most experienced lawyers to handle all cases, others will assign attorneys to a case based on individual expertise in certain areas.
Progression of the Case
Some DUI cases may actually resolve in relatively short order – even in less difficult jurisdictions. There are also many DUI charges that will drag on for months, or even years, if they are not resolved at trial. Clients of DUI lawyers in these situations will inevitably incur DUIs legal fees that are higher than those charged for less complex DUI cases.
Geographic Location
Finally, the geographic location of the attorney and law firm can impact the cost of defending against DUI charges. While most DUIs are charged in local courts that follow the same guidelines in setting hourly rates, certain geographic locations simply have more expensive legal services than others based on the amenities of the area. Those with more money would rather spend it on more amenities to their lives than shop around for a lower DUI legal fee. While this may seem arbitrary, it is simply another fact of living in a larger metropolitan area.
DUI Lawyer Fees by Average Cost
The cost of hiring a defense attorney after a DUI/DWI arrest can vary widely. The median average is likely somewhere between $1,600 and $3,000. That said, it important to understand that a number of factors can affect this average. Ultimately, your location, the particular attorney and the nuances of your case will impact the overall cost. Many attorneys charge a set fee for a DUI. For example, a law firm in Santa Rosa, California states that first-time DUI clients typically pay between $2,500 and $3,500. Some charge a little less, some charge a little more. Once again, the ultimate bill depends on the complexity of the case. Many attorneys also provide hourly billing. According to one firm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, DUI defense rates typically range between $250 and $500 per hour. Again, fees depend on the geographic area. The average hourly fee for criminal work in New York City is closer to $300 per hour. In smaller communities, hourly rates may be as low as $150.
Some firms charge a retainer fee in advance, which represents an estimated portion of legal services. In most cases, the retainer covers a set number of hours, at which point the attorney will bill by the hour. Keep in mind that many DUI-related tasks can be performed by non-attorneys, such as paralegals. This will be a cost-savings for clients.
If you are wondering how to make sense of the various fees quoted by lawyers in your area simply ask what they include. In general, the lower the fee, the less thorough the representation will be. If you pay $1,500 for a DUI attorney, he or she will not be putting in the same effort on your case as the lawyer who charges $3,000, particularly if your case involves investigation or litigation afterwards.
A Lawyer’s Fee: How DUI Charges Work
While the fines and fees associated with a DUI charge can vary based on your specific situation, here are some common fees you might encounter.
Attorney’s Fees
Attorneys charge a range of fees for representation on DUI cases. Some charge by the hour; others charge a flat fee for the service. Factors that influence attorney fees can include their reputation, location and the number of times clients are arrested-not all lawyers are equipped to take on repeat offenders.
Court Fees
Once you have been formally charged with DUI, there is a court process to follow. Within 20 days of your DUI arrest, you will be required to plead at least once in court (sometimes more than once). Through the court process, you may be required to pay bail, file motions , pay for transcripts and possibly even pay fines imposed by the court. You will generally pay a single court fee that covers all of these various different fees.
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Test Fees
If you refuse to do a Breathalyzer test, you could be taken to the hospital for a blood alcohol test that would then be more expensive than a Breathalyzer. If you have a BAC of .08% or higher, which determines driving impairment in Virginia, then you will face an additional $500 fine and possible license suspension for one year.
DUI Classes
As a potential requirement of your conviction, you may be required to take a DUI class or drug program through a local behavioral health service. These classes are an educational requirement related to your conviction that aim to reduce repeat offenses. They are generally relatively inexpensive and can often be completed online.
Ways to Minimize and Manage DUI Lawyer Fees
If you have been arrested for drunk driving, you may be able to reduce your legal expenses by utilizing the following strategies: Seek a Plea Bargain With Reduced Charges Many people do not realize that a plea bargain can lower your DUI expenses. It eliminates the extended court costs of taking a DUI case to trial, and jury fees. In addition, if you can get the charges reduced, you may be able to cut your legal fees and court fees down drastically. When you go to trial the police officer that charged you will have to appear, this means that your officer fees will be drastically lower than they would be if you went to trial with a jury of your peers. Your attorney’s fees on the initial consultation, paperwork and litigation should also be much lower. There are costs that you can not control that can help save you legal fees. For example, if you have prior DUI or DWI charges, your court fees will become substantially higher. Fees can accumulate and cause you to pay several fines that could total up to thousands of dollars. Get Help From Legal Aid Legal aid is an organization that provides free or low-cost legal help to people in need. There are many legal aid offices throughout the country. You can find a legal aid office in your area by searching the net or by calling your local courthouse and inquiring about legal aid.
The Cost of Foregoing a DUI Attorney
Just like with paying off a speeding ticket, the temptation with driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated(DWI) cases is that to save on legal fees, you can simply plead guilty and "get it over with". The risk here is that this is only going to end up costing money and time in the long run in the form of fines, court costs, potential jail time and the loss of driving privileges. The average cost of a DUI is about $5000 to $6000 dollars and that is when you do everything right and have a very responsible judge at your hearing. Does this mean that you have to go out and get a DUI attorney for every small infraction that you may have? Not necessarily.
The truth of the matter is that the law does not require you to hire an attorney. However, with this comes a big risk, the courts assume that you know the system and the laws, and they do not offer advice . What this means is that you are on your own to try and make choices that could affect your record and fines without knowing what is what and what applies to you personally. For instance, the judge will likely ask you if you have seen a secretary before you go in and plead guilty. This means the secretary will explain the situation and what you are facing. Your attorney will also talk to the prosecutor before you walk in and see if there is any way that the case can be worked out. In many states, it is assumed that if you are representing yourself, that you are waiving the right to a jury trial and the right to an appeal. You may have not waives those rights and may not even know if there were in the first place.
The cost of playing a game that you do not know the score to is much, much higher in money, time and stress than just biting the bullet and paying the legal fees for an attorney to represent you.
+ There are no comments
Add yours