DUI Attorney Fees

While the penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) vary from state to state, they may include expensive fines, increased insurance premiums, a lengthy driver’s license suspension, and even jail time. You may not want the expense of hiring a DUI attorney, but when you think about the long-term ramifications and high costs of a drunk-driving conviction, you may have to consider if you can afford not to.

Most attorneys offer a free consultation for potential clients who have been accused of drunk driving. During this consultation, the attorney may explain the charges you are facing and the steps that he or she will take in order to have your DUI reduced or even dismissed. You also have an opportunity to ask the attorney questions and decide if you would like to hire him or her.

There are several types of DUI attorney fees. Some attorneys may allow clients to set up a payment plan. These plans may not be advertised, so you should ask if one is offered when you are interviewing DUI attorneys. With a payment plan, you may be required to make a down payment. In some cases, the attorney will ask you to submit post-dated checks or authorize future credit card statements, which many clients find convenient as they don’t have to remember to write out a check each month.

Some DUI attorneys will charge a flat fee covering all aspects of the case from beginning to end so clients do not have to worry about hourly charges and receiving bills. With a flat-fee payment, you know exactly how much legal representation will cost in your DUI case.

If your attorney must call an expert witness to testify on your behalf in court, you may be responsible for the associated fees. For example, if you were involved in an accident while under the influence, an accident reconstruction expert may be called in to investigate the collision. If this expert determines that you were not responsible for the accident, you may avoid some charges associated with your DUI case.

If you have recently been accused of impaired driving, you should immediately speak with a DUI attorney. Most attorneys offer several payment options that allow you to afford paying DUI attorney fees.