An arrest for a DUI is an expensive ordeal. There’s bail to get out of jail, the SR-22 insurance that must be filed for three years, and the cost of taking a South Carolina Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. There may be other costs that cannot be quantified, like a loss of employment or damage to your reputation. Many individuals arrested for driving under the influence also worry about the expense of a defense attorney.
In fact, the majority of Americans—a reported 63 percent—do not have the funds available to cover a $500 emergency. Taking your dog to the emergency vet for swallowing part of his favorite toy, replacing the brakes on your car, and repairing or replacing a broken refrigerator are all examples of $500 emergency expenses. Those without the resources necessary to cover such an expense reported they would have to cut back on other expenses, borrow money from friends or family, or even charge the amount to a credit card to make it through. An arrest for a DUI may set someone back several thousand dollars at minimum.
An attorney’s job is to protect a defendant’s legal rights. Even if a defendant was drinking and driving, a defense attorney may be able to negotiate a deal and have the charges reduced. A good defense attorney will also be able to pinpoint if any errors were made during the arrest. For example, was the field sobriety test incorrectly administered? Were there problems with the Breathalyzer test? Did the officer have probable cause to stop the driver? These are issues that a criminal defense attorney will address. A criminal defense attorney is well worth the money when someone is facing jail time and other penalties.
Cost of a DUI Defense Attorney
The cost of hiring a DUI defense attorney will vary depending on the facts of the incident. For example, if the case needs to go to trial, legal representation will likely be more expensive. Many are unaware that most attorneys will accept payment plans to provide more affordable options to their clients. These attorneys will allow their clients to pay their fees in installments. These payment plans may be weekly, biweekly, monthly, or any arrangement that the client and the attorney agree upon. Many DUI defense attorneys understand that some clients simply do not have the cash on hand to pay a retainer of a few thousand dollars. To help these clients obtain the representation they deserve, they will allow them to pay their fees in installments.
DUI defense attorneys put in many hours to obtain excellent results for their clients. The clients do not see all of the “behind the scenes” work that goes on in a claim. For example, the attorney will contact members of law enforcement, prosecutors, witnesses, and other individuals to gain an understanding of what happened in the case. The attorney will review video footage, Breathalyzer test results, blood test results, eyewitness statements, and other evidence in the case. If the case goes to trial, the attorney will spend several hours preparing questions for witnesses and coordinating the introduction of evidence. If the case pleads, the attorney will still prepare statements for a court to obtain a favorable result for the client.
Do you need legal representation for a DUI?
If you have been arrested for DUI, you need to be sure your legal rights are protected. At the De Bruin Law Firm, our DUI defense attorneys have secured favorable results for clients in a range of cases. To schedule your free case evaluation, call 864 or visit GreenvilleDefense.com.
