Getting arrested for violating Florida driving under the influence (DUI) Law could be a cause for anxiety. Penalties and consequences for conviction could include fines, suspension or confiscation of license, vehicle immobilization, community service, increase of your insurance fees, and even imprisonment. Your penalty will depend on the severity of your case - the penalties are generally lighter for first offender and much heavier for repeat offenders. Florida DUI Law is rather complex and has a unique nature. Thus, self-representation could be difficult and could cause you even more serious consequences. It is therefore advisable to seek legal help upon arrest.

Costs of hiring a DUI lawyer

Seeking the legal advice of a Florida DUI Attorney who has experience and specializes in drunk driving defense cases can get very costly. Expect to pay exorbitant fees during and by the end of the trial. In some cases, lawyers' fees can be as much as triple the amount of your fine.

Looking for cheap lawyers

To make sure you get the best deal, you need to scout fir the lawyers who charge low litigation rates. Take your time canvassing from pool of possible candidates.

Create a list of possible Florida DUI lawyers that you want to consider and compare rates. Different lawyers charge differently. Some charge by the hour and others will ask for an initial fee for services and additional fees for preceding trials.

If you are facing a minor offense as a first offender, it is a good idea to hire a lawyer who will charge an initial fee to look into your case, study the file from the District Attorney's Office, and appear for your first hearing without charging you anything at that point. These lawyers will negotiate in this initial trial or pretrial and close the case so you will not have to go to actual trial. Once this is done, there will be no more fees incurred, just the one time initial deal.

Remember to always sign an agreement with your lawyer regarding fees. Lawyers' fees start from $500 up to a couple of thousands so you might want to short list DUI lawyers within the range of $500 to $800. Websites with a database of lawyers categorized by location and specialty are available on the Internet. Compare and contrast their rates before you sign up with anybody.