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Three Ways Hiring A DUI Defense Lawyer Can Help You Save Money

17 September 2021

Deann Miles

One of the main reasons individuals charged with a DUI don't hire DUI defense lawyers is because they cost money. Without a doubt, hiring a DUI lawyer will cost you a pretty penny; however, failing to hire one could also result in you losing more money than the cost of hiring a lawyer.

For instance, if you don't have a DUI defense lawyer, it is easier for the prosecutor to convince the court you are guilty of the DUI charge. As a result, you could spend time behind bars which means you also lose your job and can no longer earn money to support your family.

The above scenario is just an example of why hiring a DUI defense lawyer can help you save money and time. However, there are various other scenarios where hiring a DUI defense lawyer can help you save money. With that said, here are three more examples of how a DUI lawyer helps you save money.

Insurance Premiums

Auto insurance companies determine the premiums to charge you based on your driving record. If you have a clean driving record, the insurance company assumes you are a good driver, and as a result, you are not an accident risk. Therefore, they charge you minimal monthly premiums. 

However, if there are several infractions on your driving record, the insurance company sees you as an accident risk, and thus they charge you higher premiums. With that said, it is advisable to realize that a DUI is one of the most serious infractions to have on a driving record. As a result, if you are convicted of the DUI charge, you can expect your auto insurance premiums to rise significantly.

If you hire a good DUI defense attorney, they can help have the charge dropped. As a result, your driving record will not get tarnished, and thus the insurance company will have no reason to raise your premiums. This is another example of how hiring a DUI lawyer can help you save money.

Reducing Fines

Every state in the United States has set a minimum fine for a DUI charge. Depending on which state you get charged in, you stand to pay fines ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars if you get convicted of the DUI charge.

Nonetheless, if you hire a DUI defense lawyer, they can help you minimize the fines by negotiating a plea deal. Negotiating a plea deal could mean you either agree to the DUI charge under the condition the fines get reduced, or you plead guilty to a lesser charge such as reckless driving. Typically, the fines for reckless driving are significantly lower than the fines charged for a DUI.

Therefore, when you hire a DUI lawyer, there is a chance that they can negotiate a plea deal on your behalf, which enables you to save money on the fines levied against you by the court.

Avoid Rehabilitation Programs

When you get charged with your second DUI, in addition to the fines levied against you, the court may decide to sentence you to a mandatory rehabilitation program as additional punishment. 

It is essential to note that such programs are not free, and in most cases, you may end up paying a few hundred or thousand dollars to attend the program. Per the court order, you must attend the program else you could lose your driving license or serve time in jail, and you have to pay the cost of the rehabilitation program.

However, if you hire a good DUI defense lawyer, they can convince the court to sentence you to an alternative program as punishment. For instance, your DUI lawyer could negotiate you get community service work instead of getting mandatory rehabilitation. Hence, you will not have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a rehabilitation program.

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