dui lawyer how much does it cost

by Florida Stark 10 min read

Typically, a DUI lawyer costs between $700 and $1,500 when entering a plea. You could pay an additional $1,500-$400 if you end up going to trial. If your case is considered extreme, you could end up paying upwards of $10,000.

Based on conversations with several DUI attorneys, as well as independent research, here are some rough estimates for how much a DUI lawyer will likely cost you: Flat fee for entire case (no trial) — $1,000 to $5,000. Hourly (hours vary) — $100 to $500. Trial case (not including expert witness fees) — $5,000 to $10,000.Mar 30, 2022

Full Answer

What is the average price to hire a DUI lawyer?

Apr 13, 2020 — How much does a DUI lawyer cost? · Flat fee for entire case (no trial) — $1,000 to $5,000 · Hourly (hours vary) — $100 to $500 · Trial case (not (5) … Jul 14, 2021 — DUI attorneys can charge anywhere from $750 to $1,500.00 for a plea.

How much should you pay a lawyer for a DUI?

Feb 11, 2020 · Typically, a DUI lawyer costs between $700 and $1,500 when entering a plea. You could pay an additional $1,500-$400 if you end up going to trial. If your case is considered extreme, you could end up paying upwards of $10,000.

How to become a successful DUI lawyer?

In terms of case resolution, the average cost of DUI lawyer to negotiate for a plea bargain is between $750 and $1,500. On the other hand, if you want to contest the case and go to trial, expect to pay about $2,500 to $25,000 for trial fees.

Is a DUI lawyer worth the cost?

Aug 21, 2021 · How Much Does a DUI Cost? It’s difficult to tell how much a DUI ticket will cost you because several factors need to be considered. It will depend on the state and city you get pulled over in, how much you’ve drunk, your age, and other factors. If you want an estimate, the total DUI ticket cost may reach nearly $20,000, depending on the severity of the offense. In general, a …

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How much does a DUI cost in California 2021?

* How much does a DUI cost? California DUI fines range from $390 to $5,000 plus penalty assessments & fees that can raise the total cost to $18,000, depending on your DUI charge. DUI with injury or property damage may also require you to pay injured parties.

How much is a DUI lawyer in Florida?

The cost of a DUI attorney ranges depending on the level of experience, skill, and reputation that an attorney might have. A novice attorney will cost less than one with an established reputation. If your DUI in Florida is a misdemeanor offense, attorney fees will range from around $1,500 to $7,500.

How much is a DUI Lawyer California?

What Is the Average Cost of a DUI in California? There is no exact cost for a DUI in California. However, between bail, court fees, and other costs, the state's average cost after an arrest is between $10,000 to $12,000. This average does include attorney's fees, which would likely be between $3,000 and $5,000.Jan 17, 2022

What's the highest cost for a DUI?

Average Costs of a DUI or DWI Arrest and ConvictionExpenseCostHigher Insurance Premiums$4,500-$10,000Defense Attorney$2,500-$5,000Court Fines$150-$1,800Alcohol Treatment/Education$1,000-$2,50013 more rows

How much is Bond for DUI in Florida?

First time DUI, bail is set at $1,000, Second DUI your bail bond will increase to $5,000. The amount of your DUI bail and the procedures for making bond will depend on the criminal laws of the County you are arrested in. One is considered to be driving under the influence in Florida when your blood alcohol level is .

What happens in California when you get a DUI?

For a first-offense DUI in California, consequences for conviction generally include three years of informal probation, fines of $390 plus “penalty assessments” (totally approximately $2000, and completing a first offender alcohol program that consists of a 30-hour class, at a cost of about $500.

What happens when you get a DUI for the first time in California?

A first offense DUI in California is a misdemeanor typically punished by 3 to 5 years of probation, $390.00 to $1000.00 in fines plus penalty assessments, DUI school, a 6-month driver's license suspension, and installation of an ignition interlock device.

How much does a lawyer cost in California?

How much do lawyers charge in California? The typical lawyer in California charges between $164 and $422 per hour. Costs vary depending on the type of lawyer, so review our lawyer rates table to find out the average cost to hire an attorney in California.

What is the Average Cost I would expect to pay for a DUI Lawyer?

Typically, a DUI lawyer costs between $700 and $1,500 when entering a plea. You could pay an additional $1,500-$400 if you end up going to trial. I...

What types of fee structures do attorneys use?

“Hourly” and “flat rate” are the two most common types of fee structures that DUI attorneys use. You will get billed for each hour of service under...

Why are Initial Consultations FREE?

The majority of DUI attorneys will offer free initial consultations. These are typically 30-minute conversations over the phone or in person. The c...

How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost?

While law firms have different fee schedules, the fees generally depend on the time spent on your defense and the complexity of your situation. Costs for a DUI defense lawyer vary according to factors that include:

How Much is a DUI Lawyer – and How Much Can They Save You?

Whatever the cost of your DUI lawyer, your total costs will often be lower than if you went to court without representation. If your attorney can get your first-time DUI charges reduced or dropped, you can save as much as $4,000 on car insurance alone.

What is the Average Cost I would expect to pay for a DUI Lawyer?

Typically, a DUI lawyer costs between $700 and $1,500 when entering a plea. You could pay an additional $1,500-$400 if you end up going to trial. If your case is considered extreme, you could end up paying upwards of $10,000.

Experienced Attorneys

In what is surely a stressful time in your life, an expert DUI lawyer will be able to take you through each step of the process. A skilled DUI attorney can help from when you get arrested, the pretrial preparation and during the trial, if needed. All significant paperwork, files, court dates, etc.

Public Defenders

Typically, every criminal defendant has a right to an attorney. The court will appoint an attorney for you if you can’t afford to hire one on your own. Typically, these attorneys are from a public defender’s office. Public defenders handle lots of DUI cases in addition to many other criminal cases. They are very familiar with DUI laws and defenses.

Why are Initial Consultations FREE?

The majority of DUI attorneys will offer free initial consultations. These are typically 30-minute conversations over the phone or in person. The consultation is a great opportunity to ask questions about their experience, cost, and your options moving forward.

How much does a DUI lawyer cost?

In terms of case resolution, the average cost of DUI lawyer to negotiate for a plea bargain is between $750 and $1,500. On the other hand, if you want to contest the case and go to trial, expect to pay about $2,500 to $25,000 for trial fees.

Why is my insurance premium higher?

Plus, the average increase in your insurance premium will also be higher because it means that you’re high risk. If you hire a lawyer, he or she will guide you on how to properly handle your case. If you have a strong defense, you may even get an acquittal.

Can I represent myself in court?

You may also represent yourself in court, but unless you’re a lawyer yourself, that option isn’t really recommended. For comparison, here are the average cost of DUI lawyer, price of self-representation, and other DUI-related expenses:

Can I choose a DUI lawyer?

Choosing a DUI lawyer doesn’t just end at deciding between a private or a public attorney. There are also cost factors that need to be considered, especially if you’re working on a budget. Knowing these factors can also help you get the most out of your lawyer.

Do DUI lawyers charge an hourly fee?

DUI lawyers may either charge an hourly fee or a flat rate. If you hire a lawyer on a per-hour basis, you will also have to pay a retainer fee as down payment.

Is a DUI case expensive?

The thing about DUI cases is that they are expensive. Whether you’re acquitted or convicted, you will have to pay. And since you’re already spending money, it’s better to hire the best DUI lawyer that you can afford.

Do I need a lawyer for a DUI?

To resolve a DUI case in the fastest and least inconvenient way possible, you will need a lawyer. DUI attorney fees can be determined by two primary factors: the type of attorney and the resolution you’re after.

How Much Does a DUI Cost?

It’s difficult to tell how much a DUI ticket will cost you because several factors need to be considered. It will depend on the state and city you get pulled over in, how much you’ve drunk, your age, and other factors.

How Much Are Fees and Fines?

You’ll face a wide range of penalties if you’re convicted for drunk driving, which will mainly depend on the strictness of the DUI laws in your state. The penalties for a DUI vary considerably, taking into account the number of prior convictions and your blood alcohol concentration.

How Much Does a DUI Cost in Each State?

The average cost of a DUI in the United States is around $4,100, but that isn’t the story for every state. Some states have lower fines and fees than others, which is why the costs and penalties of a DUI conviction in California will differ significantly from those you will face in South Dakota.

Which State Has the Harshest Rules on Drunk Driving?

Regarding fines, it would be in your best interests to never drink and drive in Alaska. Even though the penalties vary based on the severity of the accident, you could end up paying close to $6,000 in the northern states.

How Does DUI Affect Your Insurance?

It’s a known fact that getting a DUI on your record will raise your car insurance rates substantially. In most instances, you could end up paying twice as much for coverage. It is estimated that after DUI, insurance rates increase by nearly 70% or more.

In Conclusion

Getting behind the wheel of a car when you are drunk is not a good idea as you are endangering your life and the lives of others on the road. It’s also a costly mistake that may result in shelling out thousands of dollars in penalties and fees and facing jail time.

What's the Likely Outcome of a Third or Fourth DUI?

The overwhelming majority of survey respondents arrested for a third or fourth DUI were convicted of DUI or a lesser charge like reckless driving or "wet reckless." Specifically, 33% ended up with a felony DUI conviction, 56% were convicted of misdemeanor DUI, and 6% pleaded guilty (or "no contest") to a lesser charge.

Penalties for Third or Fourth DUI

Not only did the conviction rate go up for third or fourth DUI, but having two or more prior convictions when arrested for DUI greatly increased the chance of jail time: 50% of those arrested for third or fourth DUI were sentenced to time behind bars compared to just 9% for a first-time DUI.

How Much Does a Third or Fourth DUI Cost?

Getting arrested for a third or fourth DUI is costly. The average cost to readers was $7,300.

How Long Does a Third or Fourth DUI Take to Resolve?

Starting from the point of arrest, it took on average 7.8 months for our readers’ third- or fourth-offense DUI cases to be wrapped up. This was 2.5 months longer than first-offense cases, which took an average of just 5.3 months.

Talk to a Lawyer

While these survey results help you get an idea of what you’re facing if you’ve been arrested for third or fourth DUI, they won’t dictate what happens to you. The absence or presence of other aggravating circumstances, plus the perspectives of police and prosecutors, go a long way in determining results.

Costs to Handle a DUI Expungement in Los Angeles

Not all DUI expungements cost the same amount. As we mentioned, you will need to pay a filing fee with the court when you apply for an expungement. Different areas use a different fee scale to cover the costs of processing an expungement.

How to Request Expungement in Los Angeles

Expungement is a legal process that removes a criminal charge from your record. You can only seek an expungement in some cases. Before you can work to get your charge expunged you have to serve all penalties associated with the charges. This means you may need to:

DUI Charges and Your Driving Record in California

DUI charges stay on your driving record after you are convicted. You cannot remove a DUI charge from your driving record with an expungement. Only time will remove the charge from your record. You have to wait 10 years for a DUI charge to come off of your record.

Get Help Expunging a DUI from Your Record

Getting help from a skilled DUI lawyer can make the process of successfully expunging your record. Just call (310) 862-0199 or fill out our online contact form.

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