If you’re facing DUI charges in New Jersey, you’re probably wondering how much it costs to hire a DUI attorney to represent you. While the price varies from one firm to the next and depends on the case’s complexity, experienced DUI lawyers start at around $2,500. That is far less than the cost of conviction, which could involve jail time and several thousands of dollars in fines.
What Factors Can Affect the Cost of a DUI Lawyer?
Several factors can influence the amount a particular DUI lawyer charges for their services, including:
- Their experience and reputation – Highly experienced, skilled, or reputable lawyers often charge higher fees due to their skills and the demand for their services.
- The location of their practice – Attorneys in urban areas or regions with higher living costs tend to have higher rates to account for their greater expenses.
- The size of their practice – Larger firms tend to have higher operating costs reflected in their pricing, but they also have more extensive resources to apply to your case.
- The complexity of the case – Aggravating factors like high blood alcohol concentration, accidents, injuries, or prior convictions require more extensive investigation, increasing legal fees.
- The preferred defense strategy – Pleading guilty and seeking to mitigate penalties costs less than proceeding to trial, which involves more preparation and court appearances.
How Do DUI Lawyers Charge?
DUI/DWI lawyers may offer clients different fee structures, which can significantly impact how much you’ll end up paying for their services. Understanding these structures can help you manage your budget and select an attorney that fits your financial situation.
Here’s a breakdown of the common ways a New Jersey DUI/DWI defense attorney might charge for their services:
- Hourly fee – Under this arrangement, attorneys charge for every hour (or portion of an hour) they work on your case. Hourly rates vary widely based on location, the lawyer’s experience, and the case’s complexity. This method can make costs unpredictable, as the total fee depends on the case’s duration and intricacies. It’s beneficial for cases that may not require a lot of hours to resolve but risky for more complicated situations that could drag on.
- Retainer fee – A retainer is an upfront cost that essentially serves as a down payment on the expected legal services. The lawyer then deducts hourly charges from this retainer as they work on your case. Once the retainer is depleted, you may be required to replenish it, while unused funds are returned to you at the end of the case. This method helps clients and lawyers have a more predictable financial arrangement but still hinges on the unpredictable nature of hourly billing.
- Flat fee – In a flat fee arrangement, the attorney charges a single, fixed amount to handle DUI cases. The fee is agreed upon before the lawyer starts working on the case and typically covers all the necessary services to resolve the case. Flat fees are less common for cases that go to trial due to their unpredictability and complexity.
It’s essential to discuss these options thoroughly with any prospective attorney before hiring them so you understand what is included in their fees and any potential additional costs that could arise during your case.
Are There Any Additional Fees Above What the Attorney Charges?
As a general rule, lawyers’ fees are just that: fees that pay for the lawyer’s services. They may not cover additional but necessary costs beyond the lawyer’s own labor, such as:
- Hiring independent investigators
- Paying for expert witnesses
- Court fees
- Administrative expenses
Every law firm is different. Be sure to ask what additional costs you may need to pay during your initial consultation with a prospective attorney.
What Other Costs Are Associated with a DUI Arrest in New Jersey?
Being arrested and convicted for drunk driving in New Jersey can involve other costs beyond lawyers’ fees, including:
- Towing and impound fees – If you’re arrested for a DUI, you will be responsible for the costs associated with towing, impounding, and retrieving your vehicle. These fees can quickly add up the longer your vehicle remains impounded.
- Court costs and fines – Conviction for a DWI/DUI in New Jersey includes mandatory court costs and fines ranging from $250 to $1,000, depending on the offense’s severity and whether it’s a repeat offense.
- Surcharges – The state requires DUI offenders to pay a substantial amount in fees and surcharges, including $100 for the Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund, $50 for the Violent Crimes Compensation Fund, and $75 for the Safe and Secure Community Program.
- Mandatory alcohol and safety training – New Jersey law requires anyone convicted of a DUI to complete an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) program at the individual’s expense.
- Driver’s license reinstatement fees – A first-time DWI conviction involves a suspension until you install an IID, with subsequent convictions leading to longer suspensions. You’ll have to pay a reinstatement fee to get your license back once you’re eligible.
- Ignition interlock device (IID) – Putting an IID on your car will be required even for your first conviction. You’ll have to pay both installation and rental fees.
- Increased insurance premiums – One of the most significant long-term costs of a DUI/DWI conviction is increased car insurance premiums. Insurance companies view convicted DUI/DWI offenders as high-risk drivers, which can result in substantially higher insurance costs for several years. New Jersey also requires a car insurance surcharge of $1,000 per year for three years, which goes up to $1,500 for a third conviction.
- Lost wages – Time spent traveling to and from court appearances and in jail can eat into working hours and wages, while a criminal record can make it hard to pursue employment opportunities down the road.
Is Hiring a DUI Attorney Worth the Cost?
As you can see, the costs of a DUI conviction are considerable – not just in financial terms but in personal and emotional ones as well. In this context, the few thousand dollars it costs to hire an experienced attorney pale compared to the cost and risk of facing the criminal justice system alone.
Contact a New Jersey DUI Defense Lawyer
Are you facing impaired driving charges in New Jersey? Don’t let concerns about the cost of legal representation stop you from mounting a vigorous defense. Instead, turn to the team at the Law Office of Jason A. Volet for aggressive, affordable help.
It costs you nothing to learn about your options. Contact us today for a free initial consultation with a New Jersey DUI defense lawyer.
