how much does the average dui lawyer cost

by Rylan Willms 5 min read

DUI Lawyer Cost

National Average Cost $1,900
Minimum Cost $700
Maximum Cost $5,000
Average Range $1,500 to $4,000
Apr 21 2022

The average DUI lawyer costs $1,900 while other fees average $4,000 for a total DUI cost of between $5,000 to $8,000. Your attorney fees will depend if you accept a plea or take your case to trial.
...
DUI Lawyer Cost.
National Average Cost$1,900
Minimum Cost$700
Maximum Cost$5,000
Average Range$1,500 to $4,000

Full Answer

How much does a DWI lawyer cost on average?

4 rows · The average DUI lawyer costs $1,900 while other fees average $4,000 for a total DUI ...

How much are DUI Attorneys' Fees?

May 01, 2020 · 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. A conviction for a DUI can bring the following costs: Fines: A first-offense DUI — $200 to $500 in fines; Second …

How to find the best DUI lawyer in Pennsylvania?

Feb 11, 2020 · 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. Factors that could vary the cost of your DUI charges are: Fines

How much does a first offense DUI cost?

Feb 01, 2022 · As far as the cost of a DUI attorney, that depends on the severity of your charges and how vigorously they are defended, but in general you can expect to pay somewhere around $100 to $400 per hour. First time offenders who plead guilty in undisputed cases might pay approximately $500 to $2,500 in DUI attorney fees, while repeat offenders might pay double …

image

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 does a DUI lawyer cost 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.

What is the penalty for first offense DUI in Georgia?

GEORGIA DUI CONSEQUENCES IF CONVICTED OF THE DUI: If this is your first DUI conviction, the maximum consequences are a fine of $1,000 and up to 12 months in jail. The minimum consequences are 24 hours in jail, which may still be waived, and a $300.00 fine.

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

Can I get a DUI expunged in Florida?

Under Florida law, DUI convictions cannot be expunged, but when applicable to expunge or seal a DUI arrest you must first submit an application to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.Feb 24, 2020

How much does a DUI lawyer cost in Georgia?

Most attorneys will work on a flat fee. An experienced DUI defense attorney has done this countless times. They will know what you're up against. Reasonable fees will run in the range of $1,500 to $5,000.

Can you avoid jail time for first DUI?

In many states, you can avoid jail time for a standard first DUI. But if you have prior DUI convictions or the current offense involves certain aggravating factors, the likelihood of spending at least some time in jail goes up.

How do you beat a DUI in Georgia?

If you want to beat a DUI, you need to remain SILENT.(2) Every Field Sobriety Test Is Voluntary and Optional – Just Say NO. ... (3) In a Georgia DUI, do not blow into the Portable Breathalyzer at the roadway! ... (4) Do not Resist Arrest for a DUI in Georgia. ... (5) You Have No Privacy in a Police Car in the Peach State.More items...

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.

Do I really need a DUI Defense attorney?

Based on your DUI conviction and DUI arrest, you will need a defense attorney. The experienced defense attorney might not get you free and make the judge drop off all the charges, but can easily reduce your sentence to a great a degree.

Conclusion

A successful attorney-client relationship determines the outcome of the DUI cases to a great extent. Due to the complexity of the DUI cases, it is important to take the legal advice from a DUI lawyer. The cost for DUI lawyer is hourly as well as some charge a flat fee. So keep an extreme of $ 2500 to $ 5000 for minor DUI charges.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

All included, the cost of a first DUI can easily get well into the thousands

Please answer a few questions to help us match you with attorneys in your area.

Average Cost

The average overall cost that our survey respondents reported was $6,500. Included in this average, however, are responses from readers (20% of the survey pool) who were found not guilty or whose charges were ultimately dismissed.

Cost Breakdown

There are lots of costs that contribute to the total for a first-offense DUI. To get a better idea of the cost breakdown, we asked our survey participants for some specifics. Here's what they told us:

What is the BAC limit for DUI?

All 50 states have adopted laws limiting your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08%.

How much does it cost to tow a car after a DUI?

When you’re convicted of a DUI, you’ll likely pay for towing and storage if your car is impounded, which varies by state. Towing fees could be as low as $75, for example, but impound, storage and recovery fees can run into the thousands.

What is the BAC limit in South Dakota?

All 50 states have adopted laws limiting your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08%. Still, the penalties you face in South Dakota differ widely from those of California, skewing the national average. đź“°.

How long do you go to jail for DUI?

On average, you’ll spend a minimum 2.1 days in jail after a DUI conviction, which includes states that don’t set a minimum jail time. As for the cost of lost wages, let’s break down average costs. The median annual income in the US of $35,977 breaks down to $139 per workday.

Who is Richard Laycock?

Richard Laycock is Finder’s insights editor after spending the last five years writing and editing articles about insurance. His musings can be found across the web including on MoneyMag, Yahoo Finance and Travel Weekly. When he’s not doing deep dives on data, he is testing the quality of cocktails in his newfound home of New York. Richard studied Media at Macquarie University and The Missouri School of Journalism and has a Tier 1 Certification in General Advice for Life Insurance.

Is it bad to get behind the wheel after drinking?

Grabbing the wheel after getting a drink is a bad idea, endangering your life, your livelihood and the lives of fellow drivers. It’s also a costly one, with hundreds or thousands in fees, penalties and potentially jail time.

How much is a DUI fine?

How much are DUI fines? The average fee for a first DUI conviction is $352, and that number jumps to $762 for your second conviction. Those numbers include states that don’t charge a required fee. Fees are highest in states like Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Washington, Utah and Pennsylvania.

image