How much does a DUI lawyer cost?
How much does a DUI lawyer cost?
$150 – $500 average cost per hour
$1,000 – $15,000 average flat fee
Average cost of a DUI lawyer
Hiring a DUI lawyer costs $150 to $500 per hour on average, depending on your location and the lawyer’s experience. Many DUI lawyers charge a $1,000 to $15,000 flat rate. You'll usually pay less if this is your first offense because it's easier to have your charges dropped or reduced.
| Fee type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $150 – $500 per hour |
| Flat fee (first offense) | $1,000 – $8,000 |
| Flat fee (felony charges) | $2,000 – $15,000 |
| Retainer fee | $1,000 – $5,000 |
Hourly rate
Most DUI lawyers charge an hourly rate of $150 to $500, depending on their experience level and the case’s complexity. The longer they work on your case and the more time they spend representing you during a trial, the more you’ll pay.
Flat fee
The total cost to hire a DUI lawyer ranges from $1,000 to $15,000, depending on whether this is your first offense and if the case goes to trial. Repeat offenses and felony charges are much harder to fight, so lawyers usually charge more for these cases.
Some DUI lawyers do not include the cost of a trial in their flat rates, so make sure to ask what's included if they charge a flat fee instead of an hourly fee.
Retainer fee
DUI lawyers often charge a $1,000 to $5,000 retainer fee up front. This fee covers the work they expect to do, similar to a down payment or deposit. If they spend more time on your case than expected or go over the retainer fee, you'll pay more.
What is a DUI lawyer?
A DUI lawyer or attorney represents clients who are charges with drunk or drugged driving. They can help you by:
Giving legal advice
Coming up with a defense strategy
Negotiating plea deals
Challenging any evidence
Reducing fines
Avoiding jail time
Expunging the charges
DUI attorney cost factors
The following factors impact the cost to hire a DUI lawyer:
Location: Lawyers are more likely to have higher rates in high-population areas like Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Houston, Orlando, or Dallas.
Experience: Expert DUI attorneys charge more because they have good reputations and better success rates.
Complexity: Trials involving wrongful death, hit-and-runs, or significant property damage usually cost more than simpler cases.
Consultation: Many DUI lawyers offer free consultations, while some charge for the consultation or add it to their fees.
Additional DUI costs
Beyond the lawyer's fees, you could face the following costs during a DUI case:
Traffic school: The court's sentencing will likely require traffic courses, which cost $150 to $500.
DMV fees: The court usually suspends your license for a time after a DUI. You'll have to attend a hearing to contest the suspension, and they cost $0 to $400, depending on your location. You'll also pay a license reinstatement fee of about $20 to $150.
Court fines: Even with a lawyer, you're still likely to receive a fine, albeit a reduced one. This could be anywhere from $300 to $2,500.
Ignition interlock devices: Installing an ignition interlock device (IID) in your car costs $50 to $150, with another $50 to $150 per month for maintenance. The court may require an IID for a minimum amount of time to prevent you from using your car when under the influence.
Towing / impound: When you're arrested for DUI, your car is towed and stored at an impound lot. Towing costs about $50 to $200, and storage costs $50+ per day.
Bail: Bail for a DUI typically costs anywhere from $150 to $2,500 but can potentially cost up to $10,000. Bail amounts vary depending on your criminal history.
Lost wages: Attending court dates or a rehab program takes time, and you may miss work. Your employer may let you go, and it may take a while to find an employer willing to hire you. First-time offenders lose an average of $4,000 to $5,000 in lost wages.
Other lawyer costs
If your case involves traffic violations or other charges instead of impaired driving, you may need help or a consultation from a different kind of lawyer:
| Lawyer type | Average hourly fee | Average total cost |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic lawyer cost | $100 – $500 | $50 – $300 (simple case) $500 – $5,000 (complex case) |
| Speeding ticket lawyer cost | $100 – $500 | $100 – $300 |
| Criminal defense lawyer cost | $200 – $500 | $1,500 – $30,000+ |
DUI attorney FAQs
Do I need a lawyer for a DUI?
You can technically use a public defender instead of hiring a lawyer for a DUI case, but it's not recommended. Public defenders are often overworked with heavy caseloads and don't have as much time to work on each case. A DUI lawyer is more likely to help you reduce charges, negotiate a plea deal, or expunge your record.
Is it worth hiring an attorney for a DUI?
Hiring a DUI lawyer is worth it because they could not only save you from paying fines and higher car insurance rates but, more importantly, could help you avoid jail time.
When you're charged with a DUI, you could face fines of $1,600 to $4,000 or more, depending on whether it's your first offense or not. You could also pay up to $3,500 in extra car insurance expenses in the long run.
Can a lawyer get you out of a DUI?
A lawyer is never guaranteed to get your case dismissed, but good DUI attorneys are experts at addressing the specific types of evidence and dismantling the prosecution’s case. Some examples of evidence they focus on include:
The reason for your traffic stop
Results of field sobriety tests conducted by the officers
Blood alcohol test results
Breathalyzer tests
Observations made by the police
Whether they had probable cause
The arrest and booking procedure
How long does a DUI stay on my record?
Some states keep DUIs on your record for 3 to 10 years, but in other states like Colorado, it stays on your record permanently, even if you move out of state.
In most cases, you can only remove a DUI from your record if you were a minor at the time of conviction or if your lawyer can get an expungement.
How to find the best DUI lawyer
Follow these important steps when looking for DUI attorneys near you:
Read client reviews of attorneys on Lawful and Google.
Make sure the attorney has relevant experience and a good track record.
Make sure they have a transparent fee structure.
Choose a law firm that's conveniently located if possible.
Get a contract in writing before starting.
Questions to ask DUI lawyers
When looking for representation during a DUI case, ask lawyers these questions:
How much experience do you have with DUIs?
How long ago did you pass the bar?
What is your hourly rate? Do you charge a flat rate?
Do you charge a retainer fee? How much is that?
Will any paralegals help with the case?
Can I have a free consultation?
Will you be able to prevent jail time?
What are my chances of getting out of these charges?
How long do cases like mine usually take?
Will I have to make any appearances in court?
Will you give me a written contract before we start?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.