An attorney can help reduce the costs of a DUI by doing a lot of different things: knowing what the possible penalties are, knowing what’s required, knowing what’s not required, and negotiating with the judge or with the prosecutor to avoid all of the penalties that they like to throw in on a case. An attorney can negotiate to get a charge reduced.
Let’s just say the minimum fine for a DUI is $390 plus penalty assessment. You may be able to avoid that $390 fine by getting the charges reduced. If you get the charge reduced to a non-DUI, you may knock down the base fine to $150, therefore, saving the client $1,000 or more just in fines to the court. Of course, if you can shorten the length of an alcohol class or avoid a class all together, you can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars right there. If you can get the ignition interlock period shortened for various reasons, then you may save another on another hefty expense.
Attorneys can do so much more. With the proper guidance and handling of the insurance issue, you could easily save thousands upon thousands of dollars. There are a lot of different ways that an attorney can negotiate, plan, and prepare a case to save clients thousands of dollars.
Impact of Drugs on Cost of DUI
DUI drugs (illegal or prescription medications) versus DUI alcohol have a very similar cost structure – the same mandatory fines and fees in court. There are similar defense costs if you’re going to retest blood; whether you’re retesting for alcohol or drugs, it’s going to be a very similar cost. There may be some additional testing fees enclosed if there is a conviction, but it would be relatively minor.
Personal Attention
