Costs Involved

Cost of a DUI Attorney in Washington

One of the main concerns for the accused is how much it will cost them to hire a lawyer. Most people recognize the benefits of having seasoned legal representation on their side, but most people have also been told so many myths about the bank-busting cost of hiring an attorney that they might hesitate.

Many attorneys will not defend you on a Washington DUI for less than $5,000 to $7,500. This is excessive in our view. You will be pleased to know we have much lower fees, between $2,000 and $3,000, and you are welcome to do payments that fit your budget. Call us if you are looking to find the best attorney. We provide personal care for our clients and their families. Save money without sacrificing premium representation.

Cost of a DUI conviction

Being convicted of a DUI is not a cheap ordeal. Not taking into consideration penalties like jail time, it is important to recognize just how much it could cost you to be convicted. A DUI conviction can result in penalties that start at $1,000, and can be as pricy as $5,000.

Under Revised Code of Washington, RCW 46.61.5055, jail and fines depend on a variety of factors, including your BAC results and whether you have prior offenses.

For a DUI with a BAC of 0.08 percent, the mandatory minimum fine is:

• First Conviction: $940.50
• Second Conviction: $1,195.50
• Third Violation: $2,045.50
• Thousands more are assessed if an occupant in the vehicle was under age 16.

For a DUI with a BAC over 0.15 percent, the mandatory minimum fine is:

• First Conviction: $1,195.50
• Second Conviction: $1,620.50
• Third Violation: $2,895.50
• Thousands more are assessed if an occupant in the vehicle was under age 16.

Fines are only the beginning of the story

Most people think that fines are the only place where a DUI hits you financially, but this is only the starting point. A DUI will rack up a larger bill than that. The bill when your vehicle gets towed is usually $300. Then there is the cost of a bail bondsman if you are booked in jail.

Another cost which can hit the wallet hard is mandatory installation of the ignition interlock device (IID) following conviction, and for those with prior convictions, or those with high BAC, the court will require an IID even before conviction. This can cost $100 for the installation alone and $100 a month for regular maintenance and calibration. As the IID can be required anywhere from six months to two years, this can be incredibly pricey. A first conviction carries a one year IID requirement, a second time has a five year requirement, and a third results in ten year requirement!

Today, many courts have begun requiring transdermal devices you wear on your ankle, which can immediately detect if you have consumed alcohol. These devices can cost over $100 per week. So how much has your DUI cost you thus far?

A DUI conviction will affect cost of insurance

One place that DUI can end up costing you is in the increased cost of car insurance. For three years after a conviction, a person must get SR-22 insurance with increased coverage. In many cases, insurance will end up costing the convicted person two to three times the cost of their current policy. This financial burden will last for the three years that it is mandated. Beyond that, many insurance companies will refuse to cover someone during the time their license is suspended.

Why hiring a high-quality lawyer is important

For the above reasons, and others, it is very important that you do not simply look for an inexpensive and inexperienced attorney after being accused. What seems like a savings now could turn into around to cause financial implications down the road. It isn't really saving if one ends up paying more later on in other ways. A good attorney is worth the expense.

We know what's at stake for our clients, and we are prepared to do everything within our legal powers to see that their rights and their freedoms are protected to the fullest extent possible.