What you'll pay for a DUI attorney

Hiring a DUI attorney to handle a DUI case is the best possible defense a driver can obtain. The penalties against drunk driving are harsh and without a skilled attorney to guide the individual through the court processes, the person may be facing jail time and harsh penalties. DUI attorney costs will vary with each attorney. The fees are normally based on the nature of the DUI charges, the jurisdiction, and the experience of the attorney.

The DUI attorney fees normally average anywhere from $500 to $15,000. Here is a breakdown of all the DUI attorney fees:

• Obtaining a copy of the police report and reviewing the police report
• Appearing at the initial court proceedings
• The DMV license hearing
• Subpoena fees
• Witness fees
• Additional costs for evidence to support the case

Before hiring a DUI attorney, you need to obtain a schedule of all the costs. Some attorneys will require a down payment for their hourly wages before the case is settled. Other attorneys will charge their clients in one lump sum after the case has been settled. The best way to figure out which DUI attorney's offer the best costs is to obtain quotes from several attorney's and compare them to one another. Before hiring the DUI attorney, you must sign a contract and read the fine print to make sure additional fees will not be added as the case continues on.

DUI attorneys will charge more money for their clients that have complex cases. An individual with a first-time offense normally can be settled in a pre-trial hearing. The attorney fees for a charge of that type are normally half the cost of a complex case. If an attorney has a good reputation in the DUI field, they may be in high demand and are able to charge more for their services.

Typically the attorney fees will change with each city, county, and state. Most attorney's will charge about $5,000 for a felony case and can charge $25,000 or more for a serious case or life felony conviction. The life felony conviction cases are normally when a driver is involved in a homicide case or serious injury or accident was caused to another party.

Some DUI attorneys will set a retainer agreement that states the accused person will be responsible for additional payments if their case goes to court. Most individuals accused of a DUI will plead guilty. If the judge recognizes that the person is responsible and remorseful for their decision to drive intoxicated, the judge may lessen the sentence. Individuals that are unable to pay the additional costs for a trial will be encouraged to enter into a guilty plea as it eliminates the costs of a full trial. Before entering into a full trial, it is important to discuss your financial situation with your attorney and decide if you can afford the costs or arrange a payment plan with the attorney.

When you are looking for a DUI attorney, you can discuss the costs of the DUI attorney over the phone. If you decide to meet with the attorney, ask them if they have a free consultation. The DUI attorney will be able to view your case and decide if it is an easy case that can be quickly settled.

Anyone that is charged with a felony offense and has been charged with misdemeanors will have the right to elect appointed counsel through a public defenders office. If the accused person elects to petition the court for appointed counsel, the judge will look over the financial situation of the person and decide if they are eligible to receive appointed counsel. Depending upon the judge and the conviction, the individual may be ordered to pay some of the attorney fees. If the judge dismisses the charges or the case is acquitted, there may not be any fees associated with the case.

Public appointed DUI attorneys must provide the same services to their clients as hired attorneys. The public DUI attorney may not have up-to-date knowledge on the new DUI laws and they may not have all the resources available as other DUI attorneys. Since public defenders are appointed several criminal cases, they will have an advantage over other attorneys. These defenders will have more experience with the judges and the prosecutors. They may be able to negotiate easier than other attorneys as they are familiar with the way the judge runs their courtroom. The cost of appointed counsel will be half the price or significantly lower than the costs of other DUI attorneys.

Some individuals forego the option to hire an attorney and choose to represent themselves. The only reason someone should do this is if they have decided to enter into a guilty plea with the district attorney. They will need to bargain with the district attorney in order to lessen their sentence. Hiring a DUI attorney is a better option because even if you do enter into a guilty plea, they will be able to reduce your sentence. If you have to serve jail time, they may be able to reduce the amount of time you spend in jail or bargain for community service.

Another benefit of hiring a DUI attorney is the resources the attorney has available. DUI attorneys can investigate the police reports and may be able to find technicalities that can have the evidence thrown out or the charges dismissed.

Some individuals may choose to hire a DUI attorney to be a consultant. This means the lawyer will not provide professional representation in court, but they will be able to walk the defendant through the nature of the charges being pressed against them. They can offer advice on the plea bargains that will be available, what defenses they can use, and what will happen if they are convicted. For a serious charge, it is wise to pay the DUI attorney as they can help in the negotiation process. Serious offenses normally require some jail time, alcohol rehabilitation and education courses, community service, and heavy penalties. The DUI attorney will help the defendant accept a reasonable plea bargain or they can prepare their case to go to trial. If the case goes to trial, the DUI attorney should be available to contact after hours in case there are any developments. It is important to be honest with the DUI attorney and reveal any information that may help your case.

The best way to find a good DUI attorney is to contact your friends, family members, and colleagues that have used criminal defense attorneys in the past. Some public defenders offices can provide excellent referrals for anyone seeking a DUI attorney. Another way to find a good DUI attorney is to attend courtroom proceedings. Observe the different attorneys and assess their case. If you find a DUI attorney that consistently wins cases or helps their client enter into a good plea bargain, contact them for a consultation.

Some people still use the yellow pages to find DUI attorneys. If you look through the yellow pages, search for attorneys that are in your city or county. A DUI attorney that is in the courtroom jurisdiction will have a greater advantage because they will be familiar with the judge and the prosecutors. The internet can also be a valuable tool for finding a DUI attorney. Their web sites will provide information about the attorney's win/loss percentage and their case load. A DUI attorney needs to have a case load of 50% DUI cases in order to be up-to-date with the latest DUI laws.

Schedule several consultations with various DUI attorney's when you are looking for the best DUI attorney. Ask questions about their fee schedule and the payment methods. Depending upon the severity of your case, the DUI attorney may offer payment plans and will work with your financial situation. Some DUI attorneys will ask for a down payment of at least $1,000 in order to get started on your case. Always read the contract and make sure the DUI attorney will not charge additional fees than what is written on the contract.

If you are uncomfortable with the DUI attorney, ask to see another attorney at the firm or change to a different firm. You are under no obligation to hire the attorney when you meet with them. Attorneys are held to a strict professional policy that states they will not release information about your case to other individuals. This protection order is called the attorney/client privilege. If you consultant an attorney and decide you do not like them, the attorney cannot release the information you discussed to other attorneys without your consent. If an attorney is in violation of this order, you can legally file charges against them.

Before hiring a DUI attorney to take on your case, you should always ask about their experience with cases similar to yours. Some attorneys can misrepresent the complexity of your case and may be in over their head. Always get a copy of the retainer agreement and read over the entire agreement before you sign and start paying the DUI attorney.