Phoenix DUI Lawyer Blog

Phoenix Arizona DUI Attorneys

You were charged with an Arizona DUI. Reality sets in. You need an Arizona DUI Lawyer. First question on your mind "How much is this going to cost me?". You get two quotes from Phoenix, Arizona Attorneys. One is for $1,500.00 and the other is for $15,000.00. Why is this? Here are seven facts you should know about the cost of Arizona DUI legal representation.

• No Arizona Attorney governing entities dictate how much a Criminal and DUI Attorney can charge their clients for legal representation (Unless it is a participating attorney in a pre-paid group plan of some type through an employer or other organization for which you belong).
• The more competition that exists in your geographical area, the more likely you will find an affordable Arizona DUI lawyer. In order to remain or become competitive, especially during times of a struggling economy, an attorney may significantly lower their prices. Like every other business, they need to find a way to gain the edge over competing law firms.
• How much an attorney charges is not a reflection on their competence or effectiveness they can provide for your legal defense. This applies to both lower and higher fees. Larger Arizona DUI law Firms, tend to charge higher fees than sole practitioners or smaller Arizona DUI and Criminal law firms. This is mainly due to the fact that their cost to operate is much higher, for things like employees' salaries and benefits, advertising and overhead costs.
• The Arizona State Bar prohibits Criminal & DUI attorneys from charging on a contingency basis (meaning the practice of charging pending the outcome of the case).
• The client is usually responsible for any costs necessary to defend the case over and above the sole cost of attorney services such as independent expert fees including reconstruction engineers, psychological assessments, and polygraph (lie detector) tests.
• Arizona Criminal & DUI attorneys must communicate the basis or rate of the fees to their clients in writing. This is called a "Fee Agreement", which you are required to sign upon retention. If you have signed one, make sure you retain a copy of it. This is all you have to support or prove what you and the attorney agreed upon concerning fees and payment arrangements for pre-trial and trial services.
• Some attorneys charge what they call a "global fee" that covers everything associated in the case including trial. However, the in Arizona you should know that only a very small amount of criminal cases ever go to trial in Maricopa County Arizona. Somewhere between 2% to 4% meaning at least 96% do not. Paying globally, you usually are not entitled to a refund if your case is settled before a trial is needed. Be sure you understand what fee structure you enter into. Alternately, there are other Arizona DUI Attorneys who charge a two tier type Arizona DUI fees. This fee structure is commonly broken into stages that include a flat-fee before the matter is set for trial and another fee if the DUI case gets set for trial.

If you or someone you know has been charged with an Arizona DUI or other Criminal offense contact the Law Office of James Novak. Call now for your Free Consultation at (480) 413-1499, with experienced Phoenix Criminal and DUI Defense Attorney and James Novak (Former Prosecutor). *Valley-wide Service.