You need to hire a good lawyer if you were under arrest because of DWI. A DWI case can take a 6-12 months process. You will need to pay substantial lawyer fees since they are not working for free. You must learn how to choose a DUI lawyer that knows how to deal with this type of case.
The Average Costs
The first thing that you might think is how much does it cost for a DWI lawyer? The first step if you’re going to hire a DWI Lawyer is to enter your plea for the case. When entering a plea, the cost of a DWI lawyer will be between $700 and $1,500. If the case does not go any further, this will be all you need to pay to the lawyer.
However, if your case does go to trial, the legal costs will increase. In these cases, you will be looking at a minimum cost of $1,500 to $4,000 in lawyer fees. If your case is complicated and prolonged, this cost can be as much as $10,000 or more.
The overall cost will depend on the complexity of the case. If your case covers more days in court than the average trial, the costs will increase. If your case requires witnesses and expert testimony, the costs will increase.
The Fee Structures
While it is important to understand when to hire a DUI lawyer, you also need to know the average costs. There are two fee structures offered by DWI lawyers and they are hourly and flat rate. You will need to ask the lawyer you want to work with about their fee structure before you hire them.
If you are looking at an hourly fee structure, you can expect to pay an average of $300 per hour. This will depend on the experience of the lawyer with some in Houston charging up to 0 per hour. This fee structure is ideal if your case will be resolved quickly. If you know you will only be billed for a short period, this is the best fee structure.
A flat fee is better when you have a more complicated case because it covers the whole case. Flat rates will generally be around $3,000 that can be paid off using a payment plan. If your lawyer suggests this payment method, they believe that your case can be negotiated and they will not face a lengthy trial.
The Costs Of A Public Defender
A lot of people assume that being represented by a public defender will be free because they are there for people who cannot afford to hire their lawyer. This is not always the case and you could b liable for the lawyer’s costs. You should be told about this at the start of your case, but many people are not.
The costs of having a public defender will vary depending on the state. In Texas, public defenders are paid by the county, but smaller counties may not have the resources to do this. In these cases, the costs will fall to you.
In Houston DWI lawyer is paid $200 for a misdemeanor case and $600 for a non-capital felony. This is the base amount you could be liable for, but any other costs can add to this. If you are going to work with a public defender, you need to find out if you will be charged for their service before you agree to work with them.
Court Costs, Penalties And Fees
When it comes to lawyer costs, the court costs, penalties, and fees may slip your mind. All of these costs will be charged over and above the amount you have to pay your lawyer. The problem is that these costs can quickly add up and the amounts vary depending on the case and court.
One of the first costs is bail which can vary from $100 to $2,000 or more depending on your case. If your bail is conditioned on a drug test, you will have to pay for this. You will also be liable for driver responsibility fees which vary depending on the state and county.
A DWI lawyer can cost a minimum of $700, but there is no upper limit to the costs. While many people know what is a DUI lawyer, they don’t know that their service is not for free. You must talk to your lawyer about fees before you agree to work with them.