Costs and expenses in DUI cases

It is very important to clarify expectations about costs and expenses at the beginning of the attorney-client relationship in your DUI case. Typically, the retainer and fee agreement that you will sign will go over your rights and responsibilities in regards to costs and expenses.

Some lawyers who charge a flat fee or a tiered flat fee will include some typical costs and expenses so that you don't have to worry about the bill getting out of hand. Some typical costs and expenses are:

1. Copies.
2. Faxes.
3. Long distance phone calls.
4. Gas/mileage.
5. Messenger Services.
6. Court reporters and transcription services.
7. Investigators.
8. Consulting experts.
9. Testifying expert witnesses.
10. Independent laboratory fees.
11. Private investigation.
12. Legal research databases.
13. Law clerks.
14. Process servers.
15. Accident reconstruction experts.
16. Police experts.
17. Field sobriety test experts.
18. Filing fees / file storage costs.
19. File copy fees.

There are hundreds of potential expenses, and it is critical that your lawyer clarify expectations early so that there will be no dispute later on.

Most of the time you will have to pay for major expenses like expert witnesses. You will always be responsible for any fines, court costs and other fees that go along with a plea bargain or conviction.

The most important thing is to communicate clearly and early in the attorney-client relationship about fees.