How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost?

By: Atlanta DUI Lawyers Bubba Head, Cory Yager, and Larry Kohn, Over 90 Years of Collective Experience

Being arrested and accused of driving under the influence is a frightening experience. Beyond the emotional toll, you face legal deadlines, license suspension, financial uncertainty, and the risk of a DUI conviction that stays on your record for life.

In this article, our three Atlanta DUI attorneys explain the true costs of a DUI conviction: how to find the right lawyer, what a DUI lawyer costs, what penalties you face if convicted, and why investing in a top DUI lawyer can ultimately save you money.

Finding a Local DUI Lawyer to Represent You

Since driving under the influence is a crime statewide, how do you find the best DUI lawyers in your local area? You can start your search by looking at your Uniform Traffic Citation (the ticket you received when you were arrested for DUI) and it will have the name of the court where your case will be heard. Make sure to get an attorney who’s familiar with that particular Georgia court, as they all have their peculiarities.

If you were arrested anywhere within the city limits of Atlanta for first offense DUI, for example, your case would be heard at Atlanta Municipal Court. Our DUI attorneys are very familiar with this court as we appear there 100 times per year and understand the procedures, personnel, and prosecuting attorneys.

How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost?

After a DUI arrest, most people begin searching for a local DUI lawyer who can help them avoid a conviction. While the cost of a DUI lawyer varies, avoiding a permanent criminal record and the long-term financial impact of a conviction makes legal representation a smart investment for many.

So, what exactly goes into the full DUI lawyer price, and why do some cases cost more than others?

What is the Full Cost of DUI Defense?

Many people, when looking for a “DUI lawyer near me” will stumble upon attorneys who quote “one-price-covers-all” costs. While this ‘single, low price’ costs sound attractive, you should know that all DUI cases ARE NOT alike, and therefore, are impossible to promise the full cost of a DUI defense that way. Here are just some items that make DUI defense costly:

• Expert witnesses (if necessary). if there are inconsistencies in field sobriety test administration, calibration issues with the Intoxilyzer 9000 (the breathalyzer device used in Georgia), or other legal inconsistencies, these experts can testify to scientific or procedural flaws in the State’s evidence.
• DUI insurance costs (for accident cases)– in DUI cases which involve motor vehicle accidents, our law firm spends an average of 40% more time on, as we try to get car insurance coverage for injured parties. This is because we try to protect these clients from a civil judgement that can bankrupt them.
• The scope of the case. If your DUI case involves aggravating factors (high BAC, you had an accident which caused injury, or had a child in the car), it may require additional legal work and preparation.

What Does a DUI Lawyer Cost for a First Offense?

After you get arrested for driving under the influence in Georgia, that arrest triggers a two-case process and they both happen concurrently. So, a DUI lawyer not only has to assist with the administrative side (administrative license suspension), he or she must also spend time working towards defending the criminal case, as well.

Usually, for a first offense DUI, you won’t be charged as much as for a repeat DUI offense.

By law, if your case is criminal (like a DUI), attorneys cannot work on a contingency fee (‘we don’t get paid, if you don’t get paid’ scenarios) like personal injury lawyers can.

So, we offer flat fees. These are fees that clients pay per ‘stage’ of the case: pre-trial, arraignment (hearing), motion filing, trial.

For a first DUI conviction in Georgia, the mandatory financial penalties include a fine between $300 and $1,000, (plus court-specific surcharges) a $210 license reinstatement fee, and DUI Risk Reduction Program costs that average around $350. Additional expenses may include a substance abuse evaluation ($150 to $300) and probation supervision fees (approximately $40 per month).

Total estimated cost (Before lost wages, insurance increases): $1,490-$2,340.

These penalties only apply if you are convicted. Avoiding a conviction through a case dismissal, charge reduction, or not-guilty verdict can significantly reduce or eliminate many of these costs.

Can I Get a Public Defender for DUI?

Yes. Because of the Sixth Amendment, you are entitled to legal defense if you are accused of a crime. If you’re unemployed or can’t afford a private attorney, you have the right to ask for one.

However, most Americans don’t put much faith in those appointed criminal attorneys as those PDs are overloaded with cases, and the thinking goes, that they might not be able to devote much time to your individual case. Plus, this representation isn’t always free.

Georgia law allows the Government to recoup costs of the PD representation.

While not all courts have aggressive collection practices, unless the person is totally acquitted of all charges, that is a debt. Plus, a Judge can make repayment of those costs part of probation, and put you in jail for non-payment, if it is not paid before the probation is concluded.

But, until your first court date (which is called the “Arraignment”), it may not be possible to learn if your criminal court judge will assign a free lawyer for your defense. Also, public defender representation isn’t always free.

But, a free DUI attorney is far better than no DUI lawyer at all. It is worth applying and seeing if anything can be suggested to avoid a DUI conviction, in your case.

So, the common answer to “Do I need a DUI lawyer?” is a resounding YES, of course. So, now we turn to differences in attorneys’ legal practice areas and (ultimately) to a discussion of lawyer fees for DUI.

The Difference Between a Generalist and a Specialist in DUI Defense

Not all criminal defense lawyers are DUI lawyers. While DUI falls under the broader umbrella of criminal law, it’s a highly specialized subfield. Effective DUI defense requires advanced knowledge of forensic science, including blood testing analysis, infrared spectroscopy (the scientific principle behind most breath alcohol testing devices), field sobriety test protocols, and the toxicological effects of alcohol and drugs on the human body.

With nearly 100 years of combined experience, each of our lawyers brings deep, overlapping expertise to every case:

William C. “Bubba” Head has lectured nationwide on the science behind breath alcohol testing.

Cory Yager is a former Cobb County and Roswell police officer who was trained to administer those very field sobriety tests, and now uses that knowledge to expose procedural flaws.

All three of our attorneys, William C. Head, Cory Yager, and Larry Kohn, are certified field sobriety test instructors, and have handled thousands of DUI cases collectively in Georgia courts.

Plus, all three partners at our DUI law firm in Atlanta GA are legal book co-authors. William Head has over 12 DUI books to his credit, as the author or co-author. Larry Kohn and Cory Yager each have two DUI law book co-authorship credentials, so far.

How to locate the best attorney for DUI in Georgia. From a practical standpoint, those arrested who have important, good jobs want to learn how to not let this arrest turn into a conviction. So, once out of jail, their attention turns to the need to hire a top-rated DUI lawyer and learn about affordable DUI lawyers fees for their case defense.

The Benefits of Contacting a DUI Lawyer Immediately After Arrest

If you’re arrested for driving under the influence in GA, you have 30 days (from the arrest), to save your driving privileges, or risk automatic license suspension.

This Administrative License Suspension process starts right after the police officer hands you the DDS 1205 form (the pink form).

Speaking with a knowledgeable and experienced drunk driving attorney quickly is imperative. A good DUI attorney can help you make the best decision as it relates to saving your driver’s license: either appealing the ALS suspension at a Hearing or opting to install an Ignition Interlock Device and obtaining a Limited Permit.

Also, if your DUI also caused an accident, you will need both a criminal and a civil lawyer. They will work side-by-side to help you deal with insurance company demands and the possible civil liability associated (which can cost tens of thousands.)

Asking a Lawyer for a DUI Cost Estimate

If you want to speak with a DUI lawyer concerning the cost of your case, including an estimate, most DUI defense firms offer a FREE consultation where you can review your case and discuss payment options. Our DUI law firm offers flexible payment plans, for example.

Call us today at 404-567-5515 to discuss affordable options for your DUI defense.

How Much Does It Cost for a DUI Lawyer?

No one plans to be arrested and have to face serious criminal charges that a driving under the influence conviction can bring. But, after you get arrested, you have to deal with the reality: am I going to lose my license? Go to jail? you may think. How much will a DUI lawyer cost? Can I afford one? What about a free drunk driving attorney?

Well, a top DUI lawyer near me won’t come cheap, but would you rather be convicted of a DUI (a charge which stays on your record FOR LIFE) or invest in the best DUI lawyer you can find and possibly avoid such a conviction?

On average, a full-time DUI defense lawyer spends about 2,000 billable hours working each year. For top DUI lawyers, these hours are carefully divided across a smaller number of cases, typically 60 or fewer annually. That’s because each contested DUI case can require 30 or more hours of legal work: reviewing evidence, filing motions, preparing for trial, and working through the administrative license suspension process.

In contrast, low-cost, cheap DUI lawyers often handle hundreds of cases per year, spending as little as four to six hours per case, and most of this time is spend simply arranging a plea.

Never having to hire a DUI lawyer before, some Internet searchers put in useless phrases for DWI lawyer cost like “average DUI cost,” or “average cost of a DUI lawyer.” Unfortunately, to come up with an average cost of a drunk driving attorney is impossible because each case is different in terms of time, paperwork, and case-specific facts which may enhance the cost of working to resolve your DUI case.

In part, this may be because the average citizen cannot see how she or he can beat a DUI charge when their breath test was over the legal limit. By reading the facts of the case,

If I Need the Best DUI Lawyer in Atlanta, What Will That Cost?

DUI attorney cost varies widely. But, there are two simple maxims that you may be able to use when choosing the best DUI lawyer for your case.

1. If a Georgia drunk driving attorney quotes you a low fee, then (statistically) a higher percentage of the clients retaining these lawyers for their cases end up with DUI convictions.
2. But, if a DUI attorney quotes you a high fee, that private drunk driving defense attorney will be fighting your DUI case on all available legal issues. This means using every obscure legal theory or finding some hidden legal error or flaw in the arrest, booking, and ticket-writing process.

Our attorneys have been consistently recognized by the four most respected, peer-reviewed legal rating organizations: Board Certification from the NCDD, Best Lawyers in America, Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent (5.0/5.0), and Super Lawyers.

All three partners at our DUI law firm in Atlanta GA are legal book co-authors. William Head has over 12 DUI books to his credit, as the author or co-author. Larry Kohn and Cory Yager each have two DUI law book co-authorship credentials, so far.

As with finding a great surgeon, you want to find and hire the best nearby lawyers for DUI, since a botched surgery is the last thing that a person wants to experience. Plus, in the Internet era, the “victims” of botched surgeries will quickly spread the word about their bad outcomes.

Cost of DUI Attorney vs. Cost of Being Convicted

The many, painful DUI penalties and long-term consequences of a DUI conviction will haunt you for decades, if not the remainder of your life. Remember, a DUI doesn’t ‘age off’ of your record, it stays with you forever.

There are plenty of both short and long-term consequences that accompany a DUI conviction in GA: community service hours, jail time, and a fine that can range from $300-$1,000 (for a first DUI).

In the long-term, your job may be at stake if a DUI is on your criminal record, meaning future employment prospects may be slim.

So, it can be far more expensive to NOT fight a DUI case than to hire a good DUI attorney for your legal defense.

How much does a DUI cost over ten years? The “true DUI price” goes far beyond court fees, fines, and jail time.

A drunk driving conviction can limit your ability to rent a car from companies like AVIS and Hertz, or even traveling internationally—including to Canada, which often bars entry for DUI convictions.

Also, your car insurance rates will increase for at leas three years following the DUI. Plus, banks may classify you as a ‘non-preferred’ borrower: making it difficult for you to get loans, once credit card companies pick up on that driving under the influence conviction.

Ask Our Georgia DUI Lawyers About Our DUI Attorney Payment Plans

For most clients, DUI defense attorney fees at our DUI law firm can be paid in monthly increments since our criminal cases typically last for many months or even for years.

When taking with one of our criminal lawyers, ask about our DUI attorney payment plans. Our legal team answer calls 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, including holidays and weekends. Our affordable nearby DUI lawyers know that citizens facing the serious consequences of a DUI arrest in Georgia need to speak with knowledgeable legal counsel as soon as possible.

Call TODAY at 404-567-5515 and speak to a law partner for a free, no-obligation case review and consultation or fill out our online case evaluation form. Ask to receive your FREE PDF copy of Mr. Head’s informative drunk driving book on your legal rights when facing a DUI in GA.

After meeting with one of our partners, you’ll know that you have found good DUI lawyers near me, with top credentials and each having had over 1000 successful DUI case reductions.

We will respect your privacy, and give you an overview of what your chances of success might be, based on the information you provide.