Fort Lauderdale DUI Defense That Starts With a Free, Confidential Consultation

Finding an affordable DUI defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale starts with knowing the full cost. The lawyer’s fee is only one part. Court costs, DUI program fees, ignition interlock charges, and license reinstatement steps can add up fast. Patrick Wilson Law, PLLC is a Miami criminal defense firm that serves Broward County, including Fort Lauderdale. Patrick David Wilson is the lawyer responsible for this page. For the full picture of charges and defenses, read our DUI defense overview.

What “Affordable” Means When You Face a DUI in Fort Lauderdale

Affordable means the total cost of your case fits your budget, not just the attorney’s fee. A DUI arrest often hits your wallet fast. You may pay for a tow, a bond, car insurance changes, a ride to work, and time off for court dates. Those bills often arrive before any lawyer’s invoice.

Florida’s rules say a person charged with most offenses is entitled to pretrial release on reasonable conditions. Bond is often the first money decision, so ask about it early. The Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 3.131 set out that right.

So the better question isn’t only “What does a lawyer cost?” It’s “What will this case cost me in total, and which parts can I plan for?”

How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost in Florida?

A DUI lawyer’s fee in Florida depends on the charge, the stage of the case, and whether the case goes to trial. A plea negotiation early in a case is a different job than a contested trial months later.

Ask a few direct questions. Is the fee flat or hourly? What does it cover: the first hearing, every court date, negotiations, or a trial? What other costs may apply? Get the answers in writing.

A stated fee should cover everything you may owe. Court costs, program fees, and installation charges are often separate. Under Fla. Stat. § 775.083, court costs are $50 for a felony and $20 for any other offense whenever a defendant pleads nolo contendere to, or is convicted of, the offense. The clerk of the court collects fines, fees, and court costs. Unless the court designates otherwise, a person ordered to pay must immediately contact the clerk to pay in full or to apply for a payment plan.

The firm walks through its fee structure at the first consultation.

Is It DUI or DWI in Florida?

In Florida, the charge is DUI, which stands for driving under the influence. DWI, driving while intoxicated, is the term many other states use.

Under Fla. Stat. § 316.193, one way to commit the offense of driving under the influence is to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle in Florida while the person’s normal faculties are impaired by alcoholic beverages, a chemical substance, or a controlled substance.

Why does the name matter? Your arrest report and court papers use the official term. Use the same term when you search, read paperwork, or talk to a lawyer. Look for “DUI” on your citation or court notice, and bring that paper to your first meeting.

What Drives the Cost of a DUI Case in Broward County?

The charge level, your prior record, and any injury or passenger in the car are the main cost drivers. Each one adds preparation work and raises what is at stake.

A repeat offense is a different case. Under § 316.193, a second conviction carries up to nine months in jail, and penalties rise with each conviction. Prior convictions also matter when they count. Florida law treats a conviction outside Florida for DUI or a similar offense as a DUI conviction. Whether an older record counts depends on the court file, so bring every one you have.

A passenger under 18 changes the penalty picture. § 322.2715 requires an ignition interlock device for at least 6 continuous months after a first offense in that situation, and at least 2 continuous years after a second.

Crashes add more work. Crash reports, medical records, and blood test records all need review. Every extra issue adds preparation time, and that affects the total cost.

What Does Florida DUI School Cost, and What Else Is Required?

Plan for this cost before you start the process.

Under § 322.291, a person whose license is revoked after a DUI conviction must, before reinstatement, present proof of enrollment in a department-approved advanced driver improvement course or a substance abuse education course conducted by a DUI program. That course includes a psychosocial evaluation and treatment if referred.

Second and third offenders, and offenders under permanent driver license revocation who are evaluated for license restrictions, pay another $15 at enrollment and on each anniversary date while in the program, under § 322.293.

The court also places you on monthly reporting probation. Under § 316.193, you pay the reasonable costs of the education, evaluation, and treatment. If you ask to waive a treatment referral, you bear the full cost of the independent evaluation.

If an interlock is required, the installer collects $12 per installation under § 322.2715. That is on top of any installation and maintenance fees the rules allow. For the licensing side, see our restricted license guide.

Is a Lawyer Worth It for a DUI?

A lawyer is worth the cost when the price of a conviction, and what it could mean for your job or record, is high enough to justify the fee. Whether that holds depends on your facts.

Compare the fee against the costs a conviction carries. These include jail or probation, fines and court costs, program fees, an interlock, a license suspension, and higher insurance. Licensed professionals also need to think about work and licensing effects.

The license track runs separately from the criminal case. A request for a hearing does not stay the suspension. The department must schedule the formal hearing within 30 days, or it must invalidate the suspension. The state’s DUI and administrative suspension guide covers these rules.

Refusing a test has its own penalties. Under § 316.1932, a first refusal carries a 1-year suspension, and 18 months applies if the driving privilege was previously suspended or if the person was previously fined under s. 327.35215 as a result of a refusal to submit to a test or tests required under this chapter or chapter 327. Under § 316.1939, a first refusal is a second-degree misdemeanor for a person who, after being informed of the consequences, refused a breath or urine test when requested to do so by a law enforcement or correctional officer, among other required conditions.

A defense lawyer can also request breath and blood test information. Section 316.1932 says that information must be released to a defense attorney on request in a DUI case. A lawyer reviews the stop, the testing records, and the officer’s report. The result of that review can’t be predicted in advance. A North Miami police DUI guide explains field sobriety and breath testing in Florida.

If you drive a company vehicle for work, you may not need an interlock. Under § 316.1937, the employer must be notified, and proof of notice must stay with the vehicle. This employment exemption does not apply if the business entity which owns the vehicle is owned or controlled by the person whose driving privilege has been restricted. To see how long cases usually take, read how long a typical DUI case takes to resolve.

How to Choose an Affordable DUI Defense Attorney in Fort Lauderdale

Choose a lawyer who puts costs in writing and explains each one before you agree to anything. A clear cost talk is the first sign of how the case will be handled.

Ask how fees are billed and what they cover. Ask which costs you may owe to the clerk, the DUI program, and any interlock installer. Ask how the license issue will be handled, what court dates to expect, and what the program requires.

The firm’s lawyers include Patrick David Wilson and Sahara Fonseca. The Miami DUI page covers local court details.

Quick Answers

Talk Through Your Costs and Options Before You Decide

If you’re trying to figure out what a DUI defense will cost, you can take it one step at a time. You may be reading this for yourself, or for a family member, friend, or employee who was arrested.

Decisions often come fast: a bond hearing, a license notice, a court date. Bring your arrest paperwork, any court notices, and a list of prior convictions to your first meeting. The firm’s free first consultation is confidential and has no obligation to continue.

Call 786-761-1719, or leave a message through our contact page.