What do dui lawyers charge

In other words, they offer everyone with a standard first DUI the same plea deal—which is typically at the lower end of the allowable first-DUI sentence. Generally, an offense is considered a "standard first DUI" if the offender has no prior DUI convictions and the offense didn't involve any aggravating factors such as accidents, injuries, or a particularly high blood alcohol concentration BAC.

In theory, the standard offer is the same regardless of whether the defendant is represented by a private attorney, public defender, or no attorney at all. So, it would seem that hiring an attorney in a standard first DUI case might not be worth it. This conclusion certainly holds true in some cases. However, in practice, the standard offer is frequently just a starting point. Experienced DUI attorneys can often whittle down the standard offer by pointing out weaknesses in the prosecution's case or bringing mitigating factors to the prosecutor's attention.

An attorney's familiarity with local practices, the district attorney, and the judge can also help with these types of negotiations. Accepting a standard offer might also be unadvisable in cases where the defendant has viable defenses.

However, an unrepresented defendant is unlikely to know whether there are any such defenses. So, prior to accepting a plea deal, it's a good idea to at least get a lawyer's opinion. Generally, all criminal defendants have the right to an attorney. If you can't afford to hire your own lawyer, the court will appoint one for you. Appointed attorneys are normally from a public defender's office. Public defenders handle a large number of criminal cases, including lots of DUIs.

So, most public defenders are quite familiar with DUI law and defenses. Public defenders are generally well acquainted with the district attorneys and judges and know their tendencies—knowledge that can be beneficial for plea bargaining. Public defenders also tend to have good trial skills because they take a lot of cases to trial. However, being represented by a public defender has its downsides.

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Last Updated: Mar 24, Choose Your Legal Category: Family. Criminal Defense. The final bill depends on many factors, including the number of hours worked and how bad your unique case is. Bear in mind that the cost of your DUI is far from a one-and-done deal. The money you spend on your lawyer will probably be worth it.

Some DUI attorneys charge more; others charge less. Larger law firms and attorneys with more overhead often charge more. Most DUI attorneys prefer full payment in advance. Some charge more money later; others do not.

You want a DUI attorney who wants to help you and who does not want to break you financially.