How much is a DUI lawyer in California?
Between fines, court costs, DUI school, DMV fees, increased car insurance premiums, and attorney fees (if you hire a private attorney), a DUI in California can run you from $8000.00 to $25,000.00 out of pocket. However, the net cost will likely be much lower if you successfully fight the charge and avoid a conviction.
In general, the costs for a first-time DUI breakdown are as follows:
Expense | Range of Cost |
---|---|
Fines | $390 – $1000 |
Court Costs | $1,800 – $2,500 |
DUI School | $650 – $2,500 |
DMV Fees | $125 – $1500 |
Increased Car Insurance Premiums | $3,600 – $10,000 |
Attorney Fees | $3,000 – $15,000 |
This amount can increase if your DUI:
- Resulted in an accident
- Resulted in injury or death
Note that the above costs are for a first-offense DUI. The costs will increase for a second DUI or subsequent DUI.
The above table lists attorney fees at a dollar amount between $3,000 and $15,000.
This amount varies so much because the complexity of your case directly impacts the total amount of your attorney fees. Simple cases will result in lower attorney fees when compared to more complicated ones.
Consider, for example, a simple first-time DUI where you were arrested for driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08%. You did not commit an accident in the case and were arrested after driving erratically. You agree to plead guilty to the offense as part of a plea bargain.
Here, your legal fees would be on the low side of the dollar range. This is because your case is relatively straightforward, and your attorney could help resolve the case with relatively little work. “Little work” means there are fewer billable hours that you would have to pay for.
In contrast, consider the scenario where you were arrested for drunk driving and deny the charges with great feeling. You believe the police stopped you without probable cause and field sobriety test results do not clearly show that you were under the influence.
Here, your attorney would have to put in much work to help you challenge the DUI charge. Your lawyer would likely have to prepare for trial by filing several pre-trial motions, working with field sobriety test experts, and interviewing witnesses. Your attorney would then have to try the case.
These acts would take much time and generate a high level of billable hours. This high level would result in attorney fees on the higher side of the range given.
Costs would increase even more if your DUI resulted in an accident, injury, or even death.
Several factors can affect how much your insurance rates would increase following a DUI. Some of these factors include:
- Your age
- Your gender
- Your driving record
If you plead guilty to a first-time DUI and have an otherwise clean driving/arrest record, your rates would likely increase in the area of between $3,000 to $4,000. But your rates would increase even more if:
- You caused an accident
- You injured someone
- You had a high BAC level
You usually have to complete some type of DUI school if convicted of drunk driving in California.
Note that the school can range in terms of its length (for example, from a 12-hour program to a 30-month program). The length of a program will increase depending on the severity of your case.
You will incur more expenses for DUI school as the length of your program increases.
Note that California does provide f
How much is a DUI lawyer in Florida?
A DUI charge, or Driving Under the Influence, is a very serious and life-altering event in any state. DUI penalties in Florida are severe and are often zealously pursued by prosecutors; if a person is charged with multiple DUIs, expect the consequences to increase. It is imperative to remember your rights after a DUI charge and, with the help of a dedicated and aggressive DUI attorney, determine the right course of action depending on your unique case and the circumstances of your arrest.
The overall costs of a DUI in Florida can add up. They encompass everything from court fees to insurance rate hikes, fines, and attorney fees. Expect to pay for most or all of the following costs:
- Court fees
- Towing costs
- Fines
- Probation fees
The above costs do not take into account the potential loss of income incurred while someone is serving a jail sentence or completing a mandatory treatment program.
In every state, including Florida, DUI penalties are taken seriously by the courts and are pursued relentlessly by the prosecution. In Brevard County, the alleged perpetrator’s eventual penalties will depend on their level of intoxication at the time of the arrest, any other crimes on their record, and what, if any, injuries or damages were a result of their driving. Intoxication tests done at the police station post-arrest can use urine, blood, and breath to determine the exact level of inebriation.
Once the test for alcohol intoxication is completed, know that anything over a .08% blood alcohol content (BAC) is considered a DUI; if you are a commercial driver, this amount is much lower at just .04% BAC. Furthermore, commercial drivers under the age of 21 cannot have any percentage of BAC as this is a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking.
Every person has physical differences that cause them to metabolize alcohol or other illicit substances at a different rate, and not every person will outwardly manifest intoxication in the same way. For example, a person who is arrested for DUI may still have drugs detectable in their bloodstream while not feeling as though they are intoxicated if several hours have passed since they consumed the drug. This also varies depending on how frequently the person uses this drug or other drugs.
There is no exact way to determine the effect your intoxication test will have on your DUI case. A DUI defense attorney can approach and analyze the events leading up to and after your arrest and offer sound legal advice regarding your impending case and possible defenses that will lessen or even eradicate your charge based on the test’s timing, method of administration, lab analysis, or other circumstances. Because DUI penalties are so costly and severe, a criminal defense attorney with a personalized, passionate, and highly skilled approach can offer legal counsel to help you understand your rights and ensure the greatest possible outcome for your future.
DUI costs vary from case to case on a multitude of factors. The average cost includes court fees, towing costs, fines, probati.
How much do most lawyers charge for a DUI?
In California, legal fees vary based on the DUI attorney’s experience and the severity of your particular DUI case. Factors such as having prior DUIs, a high blood-alcohol level, any accident/injuries, speeding, or a test refusal could increase your costs. Obviously if you have a felony DUI and we need to go to trial your legal fees will be higher.
Given all of the fines and penalties that follow a DUI conviction in California, hiring a DUI lawyer is often a less expensive option, because we often get DUI charges reduced or dismissed, and we often reduce the fines you have to pay the state of California.
As a general rule of thumb though, you can expect to pay anywhere between $2500 – $5000 for a first DUI, and between $4000 – $8000 for a 2nd or 3rd DUI. Unlike many DUI law firms, we will quote you a flat fee that includes everything except trial costs. (We get the majority of our DUI cases settled or dismissed before trial, but if trial is necessary we’ll sit down, plan our strategy and proceed from there.
Additionally, we deal with the DMV every single day, and knowing how to navigate the waters of the dreaded DMV is often instrumental in helping you keep your driving privileges. A private DUI attorney also offers the advantage of being able to appear in court on your behalf without you having to be there in most cases.
At the end of the day, it’s your life, your criminal record, your drivers license and your future…it’s ultimately up to you what you think that’s worth. As millions of Californians know, history proves that drivers who obtain legal counsel achieve much better results in court than those who forego representation.
Remember, with the numerous fines and penalties you face if you’re convicted of DUI, hiring a DUI lawyer is often one of the best investments you’ll make. And remember, you’re not investing in us…you’re investing in yourself.
You can call Attorney Michael Bialys, the DUI MAN, directly at (888) 384-1489 for a free consultation. I’m here to protect your future and to answer any questions you may have.
What is the best case for a DUI?
THE BEST DUI DEFENSES
1
Suspect Not Given Opportunity to Contact an Attorney during the DUI Investigation. …
2
Breath Alcohol Testing Can Be Inaccurate. …
3
Illegal Stop of Person or Vehicle. …
4
Field Sobriety Test is Inaccurate or Invalid. …
5
No Evidence of Suspect Driving Vehicle or Being in Actual Physical Control.
What is the best defense for a DUI?
The top 10 legal defenses to driving while intoxicated (“DUI”) charges fall into three categories. These are that:
- You can fight DUI charges by arguing that you were merely driving erratically or poorly–but NOT driving under the influence. This defense is especially helpful with charges that you were “driving under the influence” under Vehicle Code 23152(a) VC.
- One of the first things prosecutors focus on is your driving pattern. They routinely have the arresting officer testify that you were driving in a manner “consistent with” someone who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Often, this so-called “pattern” includes allegations that you were speeding or weaving within your lane.
- Your physical appearance plays a big role in your DUI investigation. The officer who arrested you will testify that you were “under the influence” because you had
Incidentally, these “objective signs and symptoms of intoxication” are all listed on a pre-printed DUI arrest form called Form 5.2.5. This form is used by the CHP, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and other local law-enforcement agencies. Using Form 5.2.5, an officer can simply “check off” that you displayed these signs / symptoms, without further elaboration.
We defend you against DUI charges by addressing the “innocent” explanations that could have led to those signs. For instance, are all common causes of red eyes. Experienced DUI defense attorneys know that “the smell of alcohol on your breath” does not necessarily mean you drank alcohol. We also elicit testimony that alcohol has no odor. What people perceive as alcohol on the breath is actually.
Is it worth fighting a DUI in California?
Avoidance of License Suspension One of the most immediate and significant consequences of a DUI conviction in California is the suspension of your driver’s license. However, by fighting the DUI ticket, you can challenge the evidence presented against you and potentially avoid or reduce the length of license suspension.