DUI attorney fees are typically determined on a case-by-case basis, and in turn, each individual lawyer will have their own method of determining fees to charge clients. In reality, the more an individual defendant wishes to contest the charges, the more their legal fees will cost. Legal fees, in a fully developed DUI defense, will not only include hourly fees charged by a lawyer or attorney, but may also include expert witness fees and investigative costs, among others. From the perspective of an offender facing DUI charges, having a clear understanding of the potential costs of contesting their case is essential, and realistically, can only be determined by directly consulting with a potential criminal defense lawyer.
Paying for DUI Attorney Fees
Only in rare cases, often those generating publicity or with a potential civil claim alongside, will a lawyer take over a dui case pro bono, and for the overwhelming majority of cases, a defendant must cover their legal costs. Of course, they are afforded legal counsel free of charge through a public defender, in most cases, however, unless attempting to make a quick plea bargain, using a private attorney is always in one's best interest.
In certain cases, a lawyer may accept payment for their services via a payment plan, often with a large down payment upfront. Again, the payment policies of each attorney will vary. Offenders should be aware, however, that most firms require all legal fees to be paid before a case goes to trial. Contingent fees are not an option in DUI cases for ethical and practical reasons. This leaves only hourly billing, true flat fee arrangements, or tiered flat fee arrangements.
Hourly billing presents problems for both clients and attorneys. For starters, most attorneys are not interested in tracking every minute of their time, and from the perspective of their clients, paying an attorney the minimum time increment for every action is undesirable. Furthermore, a client has little or no control over confirming hourly billing statements. Tiered flat fee arrangements require a client to pay a set amount for a certain phase of their criminal case, and in turn, the attorney will do the work required during this period. True flat fee arrangements involve payment for all legal fees, regardless of how a case proceeds.
Getting Legal Help with DUI Defense Cases
The hourly rates or fees that a given lawyer will widely vary based on a number of factors, including geographic area, reputation of a lawyer, and other items. For an offender, the best bet is to consult with multiple lawyers and comparison shop, much like any other large expenditure.
