Arizona DUI lawyer fees

Reader’s Question:

My husband was charged for DUI here in Arizona. We are in a fixed income just like anybody else. We would like to get a DUI lawyer who would defend my husband against his charge. How much do we have to pay an Arizona DUI lawyer if we will be hiring one?

Bette

Glendale, AZ

It is always a good idea to go with the most affordable or cheapest lawyer. What would be more important is that you find the best Arizona DUI lawyer who would represent your husband. I do understand your point that you can’t actually afford an expensive one. You may still be able to find a less expensive experienced Arizona DUI lawyer.

Usually, DUI lawyers who charge cheap are those who need to take up more and more cases to survive. On the other hand, those who charge more are those who already built a good reputation and have been defending DUI clients for quite a while.

The actual cost of hiring a DUI lawyer varies. But you can expect an Arizona DUI lawyer to charge anywhere between $3,000 and $15,000 for a first time misdemeanor. The fees increases from $15,000 to even beyond $25,000 for felony DUI cases, excluding expert witness fees and other costs.

Some DUI lawyers to charge by the hour. The common rate would be $300/hour. This kind of lawyers seeks an upfront retainer, upon which the billing is done. The client is asked to replenish it again after the exhaustion of the original retainer. There are also some DUI lawyers who adjust their payments based on the financial needs of the client.