How much does a DUI lawyer cost in California?

Most California DUI defense is billed as a flat fee by stage of case — one fee covering the DMV hearing and pretrial work, with trial priced separately — rather than hourly. Whenever total expense will foreseeably exceed one thousand dollars, Business and Professions Code section 6148 requires a written agreement stating the basis of the fee.

DUI defense pricing in California follows a stage structure: a quoted flat fee typically covers the DMV administrative hearing, arraignment and pretrial appearances (which counsel can often attend without the client under Penal Code section 977), plea negotiations, and standard motions, while trial, expert witnesses such as forensic toxicologists, and blood re-testing are usually priced separately. Business and Professions Code section 6148 requires the arrangement to be in writing whenever expense will foreseeably exceed one thousand dollars, stating the fee basis and which services are included — so the document itself answers most cost questions, and anything not listed should be asked about before signing. Attorney fees are also only part of a DUI's price: a conviction separately carries fines and penalty assessments, DUI program tuition under Vehicle Code section 23538, DMV reissue fees, ignition interlock costs, and years of SR-22 insurance filings. Defendants who cannot afford counsel are entitled to appointed counsel in the criminal case under Penal Code section 987.

Authority: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6148