How much does a DUI attorney cost?

DUI attorneys tend to bill slightly differently than personal injury attorneys. Some personal injury attorneys will accept a case on a contingent basis. Not so with criminal attorneys. They usually require a deposit upfront.

How much they will charge for the entire case, however, will depend on the type of fee structure they use, the type of resolution that you are seeking, and the complexity of your case. There are a lot of advantages of hiring a drunk driving attorney, so weigh the cost against the possible results.

Need help finding a DUI attorney? Enter your ZIP code for free help now.

Types of Fee Structures for DUI Attorneys

The two general types of fee structures that most DUI attorneys use to charge clients are “hourly” and “flat rate.” Hourly means that services will be billed to you on a specified hourly basis. The advantage of this type of billing is that you don’t end up overpaying if your case is resolved quickly. You only have to pay the attorney for the time he or she actually worked on your DUI case. A flat rate system means the DUI attorney will quote you a fee to cover the entire course of your representation. Flat rate fees sometimes result in discounts that you would not get with the hourly rate.

Needless to say, some attorneys will charge more, while others less. Larger firms will probably charge more than their smaller firms.

Hiring a DUI attorney for a specific task:

How much the DUI attorney will actually cost will depend, in part, on how you want to resolve your case. For example, if you hire a DUI attorney to simply negotiate a plea bargain, the rates quoted for a DUI plea are significantly lower. If you want to contest your DUI case with a trial, the DUI attorney will quote you a “trial fee.” A trial fee is significantly higher because it involves more court time and extensive pre-trial prep work.

TIP: Regardless of the fee structure or schedule type, most DUI attorneys will offer you a FREE case evaluation.

Types of Cases That May Cost More

The more complex your DUI case is, the more time the DUI attorney will invest in your case, the more time spent in preparing your case, the more it will cost. For example, if your DUI involves a fatality, you could potentially be charged with intoxication manslaughter—not just DUI. A higher charge, like a felony DUI, will result in higher costs. If you need more services– such as representation at the motor vehicles department license suspension hearing– the DUI attorney may charge more. Beside the legal costs, you will want to know how much your insurance cost will change after a DUI.

Average Costs for DUI Attorneys

Although local market rates and state bar rules will also influence how much a DUI attorney will cost, whether you want to accept a plea or take your case to trial will influence the cost of your DUI lawyer the most.

DUI attorneys can charge anywhere from $750 to $1,500.00 for a plea. Trial rates may range from $2,500.00 to $25,000.00 depending on the level of your offense and the complexity of your case.

Should you hire a DUI attorney?

The cost is one of the things to consider when deciding to hire a DUI attorney. You’ll also need to consider the risks of facing the trial on your own and what penalties you might face.

Every case is different, so it’s helpful to get a consultation before you decide on hiring an attorney.

Getting a Free Initial Consultation

Most DUI attorneys offer free initial consultations. Typically, the consultation is either over the phone or in-person and can last up to 30 minutes. This is a chance for you to discuss your case with an attorney and ask the attorney questions about their experience, skill, and cost and what options you have. An in-person, sit-down consultation is preferable since it allows you to decide whether there can be a comfortable working relationship between the two of you. You want an attorney whom you can trust.

In a DUI matter, it would be in your best interests to consider consulting with a skilled lawyer. You can get started immediately looking for the right attorney for you by entering your ZIP code below.

Case Studies: DUI Attorney Costs And Fee Structures

Case Study 1: Hourly Fee Structure

John was charged with DUI and sought legal representation. He hired an experienced DUI attorney who used an hourly fee structure. The attorney billed John based on the time spent working on his case.

Since John’s case was resolved quickly through negotiations, he only had to pay for the actual hours of legal work. This fee structure ensured that John didn’t overpay for a swift resolution.

Case Study 2: Flat Rate Fee Structure

Sarah faced DUI charges and opted for a flat rate fee structure offered by her chosen DUI attorney. The attorney quoted her a fee that covered the entire course of representation.

This flat rate system provided Sarah with the advantage of a discounted fee, which she wouldn’t have received with an hourly rate. The fee was determined based on the complexity of her case and the services required.

Case Study 3: Specific Task-Based Fee

Michael who hired a DUI attorney to negotiate a plea bargain. Since Michael’s goal was to resolve the case through negotiations, the DUI attorney quoted him a significantly lower rate for this specific task.

In contrast, if Michael had wanted to contest his DUI case with a trial, the DUI attorney would have quoted him a higher “trial fee.” Trial fees are typically higher due to the increased court time and extensive pre-trial preparation involved.