In Kitsap County and Thurston County, 95% of the best experienced local criminal defense attorneys will typically charge not more than $5000 for most first time misdemeanor offenses, including DUI.
The best DUI and criminal defense attorneys get most of their cases through referral but you should still be able to find their websites on google maps. If you search “best DUI attorney in Bremerton” or “best criminal defense attorney in Poulsbo” the local attorneys will show up on the local map.
When deciding who to hire, make sure you are looking at maps and reviews. And, make sure you read those reviews. If a firm has 300 reviews but the review just says “great job” or nothing but 5 stars, it could be bots or advertising gimmicks. So, drill down and see if the person leaving the review had a genuine experience with the lawyer at the firm.
Why Local?
Local representation is critical in criminal defense. If you are facing a DUI charge in Port Orchard, you should not be searching for an attorney in Olympia. Search for your DUI or defense attorney by the location where you are being criminally charged. For example, even if you live in Lacey, if you were charged in Poulsbo Municipal for a DUI, you should search for DUI defense attorney in Poulsbo. Search local!
Local attorneys understand a lot more about local protocols, rules, and options for resolving cases. They also develop important professional relationships with the local prosecutors and earn respect. So, if your lawyer explains a legal analysis to a prosecutor and says the facts of your case are weak, the prosecutor is more likely to hear the local lawyer out about the case unlike someone who is out of town and just “posturing” and making baseless arguments.
We practice what we preach. We truly do believe, to give the very best defense, you need to be local and forge relationships that establish your credibility as a defense lawyer with local prosecutors. For example, if you call us about your Tacoma DUI, we would not take it because we pride ourselves on giving the best defense in Kitsap County and Thurston County as well as nearby cities.
What Is A Reasonable Cost or Fee for A DUI or Criminal Defense Attorney?
If you have multiple charges or extensive criminal history, the cost can vary. For example, if you are facing a felony charge, the cost is more likely to be $10,000 and beyond, depending on the seriousness of the offense.
If you are going to hire a private defense attorney for DUI defense, do not get too fixated on price—unless that has to be the determining factor for you. However, the general rule in Kitsap or Thurston is that, for a first time DUI, you should not be paying more than $5000 unless there is something very unusual about the case.
If you are hiring a criminal defense lawyer who has been a former prosecutor, has gone to trial at least 50 times before a jury, has practiced more than 20 years in the county where you have been charged, it is likely that you have weeded out quite a few lesser experienced attorneys. That’s a good place to start.
The “sweet spot” is to get the most experienced local defense attorney and then don’t overpay. Also, be careful not to bite on a really low legal fee without doing a lot of research on that attorney. It could be a red flag.
How Do I Find The Best Defense Attorney For Me?
Next, consider reviews and referral sources. You should focus on organic reviews (people who had to take the extra time to go to a site like Justia or Google Business site to leave their personal experience) as well as personal and professional referrals. Generally, these are the most trustworthy.
If you are in the military or work at the shipyard, you will often hear our firm recommended because we understand the challenges with security clearances and dealing with your Command.
If you have an unusual circumstance, such as managing security clearances, this is another factor you might consider in your choice of lawyer. Therefore, asking friends or colleagues for legal referrals might be a serious consideration if employment is a meaningful issue.
Radio jingles or Billboards that say “beat It” “dismiss DUI” “crime away” – What To Know
Often, you will see firms that put out extensive ads on Google. You will see their listing at or near the top of the page in a Google search and the word “Ad” or “Sponsored” (often in bold) will appear. It is normal for law firms to advertise but, where you see the same firm appear at the top for every search, it will typically mean that the firm is spending tens of thousands of dollars in ads per month.
If you are hearing radio jingles, those costs thousands of dollars everyday. For the firms using this marketing plan, they are spending tens of thousands of dollars in a month to get your attention. Someone has to pay for that attention — that would be you.
A first time DUI should be right around $5000 in Kitsap County or Thurston County yet clients report back to us they were quoted $6000 and $7000 for a first DUI when they called firms with radio and billboard ads! That is extremely high for Kitsap County and Thurston County.
Perhaps that is normal in Seattle for firms with high overhead but, if you pay that much in Kitsap or Thurston, you overpaid. Even the most experienced and highly rated DUI defenders in Kitsap and Thurston don’t charge $6000 for a first time DUI.
If you are being asked to pay $7500 for a first time DUI defense, it is not going toward your defense—it is going to someone’s advertising budget.
Should I Rush To Hire An Attorney?
Yes and no. Criminal charges have some issues that can be time sensitive and you need to have qualified representation to help you. In the case of DUI, you have a very short window to request a DOL hearing to avoid license suspension. However, that does not mean you should feel pressured on the phone.
You should always be able to speak with an attorney and have a free consultation. Additionally, the firm should be able to tell you who will actually represent you.
This means that a “managing partner” should not sell you on the firm and then pass your case along to an inexperienced new lawyer. You should feel comfortable to ask that kind of question.
If you have a legal issue in Kitsap County or Thurston County, we are always here to help. We have been in the area for decades and our family for multiple generations. Our reputation matters and we strive to maintain that stellar reputation. We have offices in Poulsbo, Bremerton, and Olympia / Tumwater.
We are here for you 7 days a week. Give us a call for a free consultation regarding your DUI case. (360) 792-1000
