DWI Attorney El Paso Helps You Understand The Total Costs

DWI Attorney El Paso Helps You Understand The Total Costs Associated With A DWI

You have been charged with DWI and have decided to hire a DWI attorney. You have started to prepare for your defense, asked the appropriate questions and have decided on which attorney is best suited for your case. Then it pops into your head... How much will this attorney cost? p>


Generally there are two different ways that attorneys charge for their services in a DWI defense case. Some offer a flat fee retainer, which will cover all of the costs of basic representation. Other attorneys choose to charge an hourly fee. In this case you will be charged for all of the time your DWI attorney (and staff) spends on your case whether it is filing motions, making telephone calls, researching case law, attending court appearances etc.

When you do hire your attorney, make sure that you have a signed agreement outlining the specific terms and all potential expenses that you may incur. Once signed, keep a copy of the agreement for your records. Most attorneys who rely upon a retainer structure will include the administrative hearing and representation in court as a part of their retainer fee. It is important to keep in mind however that this retainer fee would not include any additional representation as required by an appeal.

Attorney fees:
A rough estimate for a DWI Defense is approximately $2,500. Of course the charges can be higher when dealing with more complicated cases.

A DWI Attorney El Paso may charge what is known as a "flat fee"(includes all expenses) or an hourly rate of $100 - $350 or more. Most attorneys accept credit cards, and many can be hired over the phone. An attorney charging on an hourly basis deducts the hourly rate from the retainer amount as the work is completed. When the retainer amount is used up, you will be responsible for the additional charges. Many DUI/DWI attorneys will provide a free initial consultation to review the details of your case; while others charge their hourly rate for this review.

For a first DUI/DWI charge that may have few or no disputed facts, along with an intention to a guilty plea, flat fees can start around $500 - $1,200. However, other attorneys charge $1,300 - $2,500 or more for the same case; depending on experience. It's not uncommon to hear from an experienced DWI Attorney El Paso that by charging higher fees they are then able to take on fewer clients, so they can devote more time to each case. It is not surprising to think that the more experienced attorney will charge more for their services. It is prudent to interview more than one attorney to compare costs when budgeting for your legal defense.

Legal expenses for 2nd offenders may have a starting range of $1,500 - $5,000+. Of course it will depend on the number of past convictions and the complexity/details of each case. Repeated offenses will carry stricter penalties, and in many states a third DUI/DWI charge is an automatic felony.

Regardless if you use a flat fee structure or pay hourly rates, legal fees for a DUI/DWI case that goes to trial could cost in the range of $2,500 - $20,000+ or more. A majority of cases can be handled without a trial, but some attorneys specialize in fighting DUI/DWI charges. You should always ask your attorney the probability of winning your case or any potential "snafus" that may be involved in your legal defense.

If you are unable to afford a private attorney, you are able to ask the court to appoint a lawyer at the government's expense. You may need to provide the court with details about your finances. From a common sense perspective, the court appointed attorney would be better than trying to represent yourself. The court appointed attorney will likely have relevant experience to defending the charges that you are facing.

Additional costs:
Should you choose to fight a DWI charge in a trial you may need to engage the services of an expert witness to challenge the specific evidence. The cost for this could range anywhere between $2000 -$7000 or more.

In addition to the actual costs of your defense and fines, there are other real costs, and intangible costs associated with your DUI/DWI

Bail:
You'll have to spend money on bail to get released after your arrest. Cost: $150 - $2500

Towing:
When you are arrested for DUI/DWI, your vehicle gets towed. In some places, retrieving may only cost $100 or so, but it is becoming increasingly more common for cities to charge huge fees for DUI/DWI related Towing Charges. Retrieving your car is an expense and a hassle.

Insurance:
One of the biggest expenses to a DUI/DWI conviction is the increase in insurance premiums. If you get a DUI/DWI conviction, it will likely affect your insurance rates for (at least) the next three to five years.

How much? Your rates could double, triple, even quadruple, say some experts. It is not uncommon for your insurance provider to move you to a portion of the company that handles higher-risk policies. As expected, the higher the risk, the higher the premium. But some drivers may not be so lucky. Other insurance companies will drop you even upon arrest, regardless of conviction. And if your policy isn't renewed, you'll have to try to find insurance someplace else or see whether your state has an assigned-risk pool. Either way, you'll pay for it.

Why three years? Most insurance companies look at records for at least three years and sometimes for five years. To begin rebuilding your reputation in an insurer's eyes, you have to keep your nose completely clean -- no speeding tickets or other traffic citations. But the financial implications of the DUI/DWI offense doesn't end after three years: You'll likely have to go as many as five more years, incident-free, to get back to the "preferred" status with the lowest premiums that you perhaps once enjoyed. In summary, in can be as long as eight years afterward that the DWI conviction can affect you,
Cost Estimate: $4,500 or more.

Other miscellaneous "costs"
While more difficult to quantify, there are other costs related to a drunk driving conviction.

Employment:
When applying for work it is not uncommon for employers to request whether or not you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony. A DUI/DWI conviction can negatively impact your chances of being hired.

Long Term Health Insurance:
Most insurance companies will ask regarding specifics of your driving record during the application process. If you have been convicted of a drunk driving offense there is a very good chance that the coverage available to you will be more expensive.

Renting:
Some landlords will request information regarding your driving record. This may not be a deal breaker when applying for a rental agreement; however this certainly could impact the landlords' decision when evaluating you as a candidate.

Michael Del Mar submits articles for the expert somekeyword at DWI El Paso.com. If facing DWI charges in El Paso, TX it is important to get the best somekeyword you can afford. For a free consultation regarding your case details, please visit or call (915) 317-1933 to speak with our expert El Paso DWI lawyer.

You have read the best review article categorized by tax attorney and the title DWI Attorney El Paso Helps You Understand The Total Costs. You can bookmark or spread this post by using this URL http://taxattorneytips.blogspot.com/2012/05/dwi-attorney-el-paso-helps-you.html. Thank You!