How much does a traffic lawyer cost?

Traffic attorneys can help people facing charges or who have received a major ticket for speeding, DUI, hit and run, reckless driving, red light violations, radar tickets, and other traffic violations. Even for minor tickets, trained professionals can help reduce charges and sometimes prevent clients from getting points against their driver’s license. In most states, traffic violations and crimes accrue points—the more severe the offense, the higher the number of points.

When drivers reach a certain number of points, their license can be suspended or revoked. Point accrual also raises insurance rates. Attorneys negotiate on clients’ behalf to reduce fines, limit the time spent in court, clear records or clear clients’ names if they were wrongly accused. Richard Fenbert of Fenbert & Associates in Chicago is a lawyer who primarily represents criminal and DUI cases and also helps clients with traffic violations. He’s provided insights on some of the cost factors of hiring a lawyer to help with traffic cases.

Common traffic case costs

Each traffic case is different, and rates for legal representation vary by state, region, attorney and court. Cases that require more time and effort—such as misdemeanor or felony traffic cases—cost more than a traffic infraction. Fenbert of Fenbert & Associates typically charges $350 per court date for misdemeanor traffic offenses. These cases may include a motion hearing, a trial or a sentencing hearing with the judge. Fenbert & Associates provides an hourly rate of $350 per hour as needed for legal representation. Here are some examples of traffic case costs from Fenbert & Associates:

Driving while license revoked due to a DUI conviction: $1,000

• The case took three months to complete.
• The client had a prior DUI conviction and was facing jail time. The attorneys filed a Motion to Suppress Evidence due to an illegal traffic stop. The attorneys won the motion hearing and the charges were eventually dismissed.

Speeding in excess of 35 mph over posted limit: $350

• The case took one court date.
• This type of traffic offense is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $2,500 fine.
• Through negotiations with the supervising attorney for the State's Attorney's Office, the offense was reduced from a misdemeanor to a petty offense (noncriminal) with court supervision (no conviction).

Commercial license violation: $350

• The case took one court date.
• The client was a licensed commercial driver (CDL) charged with a serious moving violation.
• In order to keep driving with his company and not suffer a suspension, the client needed the serious moving violation reduced to a nonmoving violation.
• After negotiations with State's Attorney's Office, the offense was reduced from a moving violation to a nonmoving violation.

Driving while under the influence (DUI)

• Representation by an attorney: Flat rate range is typically $1,500–$2,500
  • Additional fees can include:
    • Petition to Rescind the Statutory Summary Suspension Hearing: $0–$1,000
    • Motion to Suppress Evidence: $0–$1,000
    • Bench or jury trial: $1,000–$1,500
• Some lawyers charge a higher flat rate, such as $5,000, which includes a trial.