Find The Best DUI Lawyer In San Diego, CA (2025)

How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost in San Diego?

On average, attorneys in California charge $391 per hour for their services. However, attorney fees vary widely from one lawyer to another. Some lawyers may also ask a client to deposit a retainer before beginning work on their case. This retainer might be several thousand dollars, depending on the firm’s size, resources and reputation.

Potential clients should ask each San Diego DUI lawyer they meet with to explain their fees and fee structure. Some lawyers charge hourly, while others charge flat fees to represent DUI clients. Many of those who charge by the hour bill clients in fractions of an hour, a practice each attorney who does so should clearly explain.

How to Hire a San Diego DUI Attorney

Someone facing DUI charges can retain an attorney at any time while their case is pending. They can even hire an attorney immediately after the arrest and before their first court appearance. Typically, a client must sign a contract with their attorney and pay any required retainer before that lawyer will begin work on their case.

Some evidence that could be helpful to the driver’s case, such as witness testimony or surveillance footage, may become lost or unavailable the longer a DUI case continues. The sooner a driver charged with DUI retains an attorney, the sooner the attorney can gather and preserve that evidence.

Average DUI Settlement in San Diego

If a driver under the influence injures another individual, the injured person can sue the impaired driver for damages. Many of these civil lawsuits end in settlements instead of trials.

Settlements are agreements between both parties that resolve the plaintiff’s claim. They may not be as large as some jury awards, but they allow plaintiffs to receive compensation faster and without the uncertainty of a trial.

The specific amount any case settles for depends on factors like the amount of evidence against the impaired driver and the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries. The more severe the plaintiff’s injuries, the larger the settlement will likely be.

For example, in the case of a crash resulting in minor injuries, a plaintiff might settle for around $7,500. Settlements for severe and disabling injuries can exceed $1 million.

Filing a San Diego DUI Accident Lawsuit in California

What happens when you get a DUI? When a law enforcement officer suspects a driver of operating their car or truck under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they may arrest the driver and submit them to further testing.

If the arresting officer believes they have enough evidence of impaired driving, they will present their case to the local prosecutor for formal charging.

A prosecutor can file charges even if the driver refuses to provide a breath or blood sample as long as law enforcement officers can provide other evidence of impairment.

How Does a DUI Lawsuit Work in San Diego?

Someone arrested for DUI will have an opportunity to admit their guilt or deny that they committed the crime. If they admit their guilt, the case will move toward a sentencing hearing.

There, the court will pronounce a sentence. The sentence might include jail time and fines, along with other conditions like community service or substance abuse treatment.

If the person enters a plea of not guilty, the court will set a date for trial. At the trial, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime of DUI.

If the judge or jury believes that the prosecutor failed to meet this burden, they will issue a verdict of “not guilty,” and the driver will not face penalties. In contrast, a guilty verdict means that the driver violated the law. In this case, the court will sentence the driver.

The defendant and the prosecutor can reach a plea agreement before a judge or jury enters a verdict. This agreement will resolve the case on terms that both parties agree to.

Need Help Finding a Qualified San Diego DUI Lawyer?

Thousands of Americans have used ConsumerShield to connect with experienced and qualified attorneys in their area. If you’re facing DUI charges, we can help you find the right San Diego DUI lawyer to handle your case. Use our free Case Evaluation tool to connect with a lawyer today.