- April 25, 2022
Driving under influence has potentially severe consequences. From jeopardizing one’s safety on the road to losing one’s license, there’s a lot at stake. Whether you are a first-time DUI offender, being charged with a DUI can cost you thousands of dollars. Every state has stringent regulations to deal with the situation and ensure that the offender is punished.
Let’s look at the costs of a DUI and why hiring a DUI lawyer in Orangeburg is essential.
Costs Associated With DUI Conviction
When a driver is convicted of a DUI, they become entangled in a maze of legalities. DUI fines and penalties must be paid by the convicted driver. Other expenses include bailing wages, labor wages, transportation fees, the cost of enrolling in the assigned programs, and so on.
Cost of Dealing with Fines and Penalties Associated with DUI
The BAC values are frequently used to determine fines and penalties. When authorities suspect a driver of a DUI, the suspect is given a breath test to assess their level of intoxication. The fines and penalties will be determined after the BAC levels have been considered. Costs vary based on BAC levels; in most cases, they begin at $300 and rise to $1,000 or more.
Costs Related to Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs
When a driver is convicted of a DUI, they must participate in various rehabilitation centers to avoid repeating the same conduct. The cost of such rehabilitation centers can range from $100 to $500 depending on the program, and the convicted driver is responsible for covering the costs.
Costs Related to Reinstating a Driving License
The driving license is subject to immediate suspension once a driver gets charged or arrested for a DUI. The cost of reinstating a suspended driver’s license can run from $150 to $200, plus the motorist must attend a hearing to complete the procedure, which adds another $300 to $500 to the bill. The driver may also be required to visit the DMV.
Costs Related to Insurance Fee
When a driver is charged with DUI, the most challenging part is convincing the insurance company to pay for any damages. Most insurance companies refuse to pay and cover costs for drivers who have been convicted of several DUI offenses.
In most cases, the insurance company provides coverage for less than $800 per year. In the event of several DUI convictions, the driver could face a fine of $3,000 or more.
Additional Costs Related to DUI Charges
The majority of offenders overlook other charges such as towing and storage fees. The convicted driver is accountable for paying for towing or recovering the vehicle in its entirety. The total cost may be $300. On the other hand, the expense of storage might be as high as $50 every day.
Because the driver’s license has been suspended, alternative transportation for everyday commuting may suffer a major cost. If the driver loses their employment, there is no way to compensate for the lost pay. If the driver wishes to post bail, it may be prohibitively expensive.
The cost of bail varies depending on the convicted driver’s record. When you factor up all of the fees, fines, and penalties associated with a DUI conviction, the overall cost might be anywhere from $1000 to $10000.
Why Hire a DUI Lawyer?
Hiring a DUI lawyer might be beneficial because there are so many expenses to consider. Convictions do not follow DUI charges. Hiring a qualified lawyer can help determine whether or not the driver charged with DUI should plead guilty. Each DUI case has its own set of complexity that only experienced attorneys can overcome.
Most competent lawyers can help you avoid and save money in the long run by helping you in getting short trials and court time.
DUI lawyers can help by reducing your charge from a DUI conviction to careless driving, which will result in fewer penalties and fines. Every DUI case is unique, as previously stated. There are many things to think about. If the guilty motorist is a first-time offender, for example, an experienced DUI attorney can give sufficient evidence to avoid your arrest and, in some situations, prevent the case from going to trial.
If the driver has been convicted of DUI multiple times, a competent DUI lawyer may be able to negotiate a reduced sentence or a lower bail amount. To save money and time, hiring a DUI attorney is essential.
How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost in Orangeburg, SC?
Motions, potential trials, and preliminary hearings influence how much time a DUI lawyer must devote to a case. DUI attorneys charge flat fees and hourly charges. If we’re dealing with a first-time DUI conviction, the cost of hiring a DUI lawyer will vary depending on the lawyer’s experience and reputation.
- A DUI lawyer who is just starting and has no experience may charge between $1,500 and $2000 for a DUI case.
- The cost of hiring a competent DUI lawyer is estimated to be between $2,500 and $3,500.
- To deal with a DUI case, the most skilled and reputed DUI attorneys might charge anywhere from $4,000 to $7,500.
Only first-time offenders are subject to the cost we’ve outlined. In the case of a felony DUI, where the offender has many DUI arrests on their record throughout the years, the case becomes considerably more complicated, and reputable Felony DUI attorneys will charge twice as much as in the first case.
If a DUI case is complicated and requires time and money to resolve, the DUI lawyers will charge hourly charges. The hourly pay ranges from $200 to $500. The estimated cost is determined by a variety of factors, including the DUI lawyer’s level of experience and reputation and other factors. Lawyers frequently want a retainer to pay for their services.
Contact a DUI Attorney in Orangeburg, SC
The option of hiring an attorney for a DUI can look expensive. Hiring an experienced DUI attorney can help you save time and money in the long run. The DUI lawyers will ensure that all essential motions relating to the specific DUI case are filed, and they will also represent you at any potential trials. Most fines, penalties, and sentences can be dropped or reduced by a skilled attorney.
So if you are looking for a DUI attorney in Orangeburg, reach out to various law firms and pick a skilled attorney to deal with the case. Every DUI case is unique and has many complexities that the lawyers have to deal with. Before hiring an Orangeburg criminal defense lawyer, discuss all the factors and agree on a fee structure. Contact us today to learn more.
