If you’ve ever been pulled over by the cops, you know the feeling you get. You see those red and blue lights come up behind you and start to panic. Even if you know you weren’t doing anything wrong you still worry that they’ll arrest you for something. Perhaps you were speeding or maybe you forgot to renew your driver’s license and it’s now expired.
It’s a horrible, scary feeling. Now imagine how much worse it must feel to get pulled over after you’ve had a few drinks. A DUI lawyer in Clemson meets with clients all the time who had no idea they were over the legal limit. When the police officers pulled them over, they were scared as well. However, they had no idea they’d be arrested for DUI.
One thing we do know is that good people make mistakes. Just because you’ve been arrested and charged with DUI, that doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. You’re entitled to stellar defense and that’s what our firm provides. We help our clients in Clemson and all over the State of South Carolina, regardless of their past. If you’ve been arrested for your third DUI, it will be harder to get the prosecutor to reduce or dismiss the charges. But that doesn’t mean our DUI lawyers in Clemson won’t try. All you have to do is call us as soon as possible after your DUI arrest.
Here, we’ll talk about how much it’ll cost to hire an experienced DUI lawyer in Clemson, South Carolina. We’ll also explain what factors can make your case more complicated than it would normally be. Finally, we’ll discuss why it’s a good idea to hire a Clemson criminal defense lawyer sooner rather than later.
You Will Have to Pay Your Clemson Criminal Defense Lawyer a Retainer
Most Clemson criminal defense lawyers charge their clients a certain amount upfront. This is called a retainer. It is the money that, quite literally, allows you to retain your lawyer. Hence the name. If this money ends up being enough to cover the entire case, you won’t be asked to pay any additional funds. Likewise, if your case is dismissed or resolved very quickly, there may even be a portion of your retainer left over. However, this is very unusual. Things add up quickly, especially when it comes to a criminal case.
The other thing your DUI lawyer in Clemson may do is charge you a flat fee for your defense. This is not as common as you may think. It can be difficult to know just how long it’ll take to resolve a DUI case. Your attorney may have no idea how many times they’ll have to show up to court on your behalf. This is why a flat rate is not always the best arrangement, at least from your lawyer’s perspective.
If your retainer runs out, which happens in most cases, your DUI lawyer in Clemson may agree to bill you monthly moving forward. For example, if you pay a retainer of $3,500, it will probably be exhausted within the first couple of weeks. By the time things get closer to trial, you may be asked to pay an additional retainer. If your DUI lawyer in Clemson believes the case may linger for a while longer, they will need to make sure they are paid upfront.
The Price You Pay Your DUI Lawyer in Clemson Will Be Worth Every Penny
We understand that it can be hard to believe, but the money you spend on your DUI lawyer in Clemson will be worth it in the end. The best way to secure your best chance of having the charges against you reduced or dismissed altogether is to hire an experienced Clemson criminal defense lawyer.
If the prosecutor sees that you aren’t represented, they’ll naturally assume that you aren’t taking the case seriously. If it’s a matter of money, you can always request the assistance of a public defender. To show up in court alone is a sign of one of two things. It either shows that you don’t think the charges filed against you are serious or you assume you know the law and can walk out of court a free person.
Neither of these assumptions looks good when it comes to your chances of getting the best possible outcome. If the prosecutor thinks you don’t take your case seriously, then they aren’t going to spend all that much time trying to work out a favorable resolution with you.
Now, if you have an attorney, the prosecutor will at least entertain a conversation about a fair plea deal.
Is It Fair for the State to Treat Defendants Differently if They Have a DUI Lawyer in Clemson?
We have clients ask us all the time whether we can guarantee a good outcome. The answer to that question is no. No DUI lawyer in Clemson can guarantee their clients anything. All they can promise is that they’ll work diligently to get the best possible outcome for your case.
One of the reasons the prosecutor will be more willing to negotiate a plea deal with an attorney is out of professional courtesy. The prosecutor’s office in Clemson can safely assume that a DUI lawyer in Clemson isn’t going to expect a miracle. The two sides can talk like reasonable adversaries and try to come up with a solution that works for everyone.
If your lawyer is able to get the charge reduced, even a little, then they earned every penny. Retaining an attorney can mean the difference between spending a year in jail and walking out of court a free person.
Call One of Our DUI Lawyers in Clemson from Jail if Possible
When we get calls from potential clients, they are usually calling us from a jail cell. After your arrest, you’ll be processed and booked into the local county jail. You’ll be allowed to make your one phone call. That call should either be to a DUI lawyer in Clemson or to a family member asking them to call us.
Every minute matters when you’re dealing with a DUI case. You don’t want to be at a disadvantage when it comes to dealing with the prosecutor. Your best shot at having your charges reduced or dismissed is with an experienced Clemson criminal defense lawyer by your side.
Call us and one of our staff members can arrange your initial consultation. If need be, we can come down to the jail and meet with you right there. It all depends on the facts of your case and whether you’re held in jail pending your first appearance.