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Do I need a DUI lawyer, and what does a DUI cost?
STATEState law: each state sets its own license deadlines, fines and fee rules.Checked by the Justice legal team against official sources · Last reviewed 6 free tools on this page
Short answer
Not always, but a DUI arrest starts two cases at once: a fast license case and a criminal case. The license hearing must often be requested within 7 to 30 days of the arrest or notice. If jail is possible and you cannot afford a lawyer, ask the judge for a public defender, and check any lawyer's license first.
Date calculator · 18 states
Your deadline to ask for a license hearing after a DUI arrest
Each state's deadline read from its statute or its motor vehicle agency · checked Nov 1, 2026
Each rule comes from the official source linked in the result. It runs on your device: nothing you type is stored or sent. General information, not legal advice.
Key points
- First deadline
- The license hearing comes first: 7 days in Colorado, Vermont and Washington, 10 days in California and Florida, 15 days in Texas and Missouri, 30 days in Arizona and South Carolina. Miss it and the suspension can start without a hearing.
- Fines
- A first-offense fine is capped by law: $1,000 in California, Florida and New York, $2,000 in Texas, $2,500 in Arizona. Programs, interlocks and insurance filings cost more on top.
- Lawyer fees
- No state sets a price for a DUI lawyer. Ask what the fee covers (the license hearing, the court case, a trial) and get it in writing: California requires that at $1,000 or more.
- Free help
- If the charge can bring jail and you cannot afford a lawyer, tell the judge at your first court date. The court can appoint one, usually a public defender.
A DUI lawyer handles two things at once: the license case at the motor vehicle agency and the criminal case in court. This page is the decision guide for hiring one. It puts each state's first deadline in a calendar, the fines the law allows in a map, the way DUI lawyers set fees in plain words, and the official place to check a lawyer's license in all 50 states and D.C.
For how the two cases work, the limits and the refusal rules in detail, see the main guide, DUI and DWI: what happens after an arrest. Nothing here ranks or recommends a lawyer or a firm.
Do I need a DUI lawyer?
The law does not make you hire one, but the stakes come in two places at once. California's courts say it plainly: if you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges, talk to a lawyer, and if you cannot afford one, ask the judge for a court-appointed lawyer at your arraignment. California Courts
- The license case moves first. The motor vehicle agency can suspend your license within weeks, and the hearing must be requested within days (see the deadline in your state). It decides only your driving privilege, not guilt.Cal. Veh. Code § 13558 · Tex. Transp. Code § 524.031
- The criminal case decides the sentence. The judge sets any fine, jail, probation, DUI program or interlock within the range the law allows (see the fines in your state). A conviction brings its own license suspension or revocation.Cal. Veh. Code § 23536 · Tex. Penal Code § 49.04
- Some facts raise the stakes. A crash that hurt someone, a child in the car, a high test result, an earlier DUI, a commercial license or not being a U.S. citizen can each change what is at risk (see when a lawyer matters most).Fla. Stat. § 316.193 · Tex. Penal Code § 49.045
You can speak for yourself at a license hearing and in court. Many people still hire a lawyer, or ask for a public defender, because the two cases have different rules, deadlines and decision makers.
Quick guide
Do you need a DUI lawyer? Find the part that fits you
1. Which is true for you?
Can you afford a private lawyer?
It points to the part of this page that fits, in the page's own words. Nothing you choose is saved or sent. Not legal advice.
The first deadline: asking for a license hearing after a DUI arrest
Read the notice of suspension the day you get it. In most states the officer takes your license and gives you a notice, often with a temporary license or permit. The hearing is optional, but if you do not ask in time, the suspension usually starts without one. The calculator at the top of this page counts the days for the states below; the table gives each rule and its law.
Watch out. Count from the right day. Some states count from the arrest (Colorado, Washington, Maryland), others from the day you received the notice (California, Texas, Missouri, Iowa), the day the permit was issued (North Dakota) or the day the suspension takes effect (Maine). Your notice says which, and how to send the request.
How many days you have to ask for a license hearing, state by state
Each row was read from the state's statute or its motor vehicle agency on November 1, 2026. States not in the table were not checked for this page: your notice of suspension states your deadline.
| State | Days to ask | Counted from | Who decides | Law |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 30 days | the date of the notice; the department must receive the request by then | Arizona Department of Transportation hearing or summary review | A.R.S. § 28-1385 |
| California | 10 days | the day you received the order; the temporary license lasts 30 days | DMV hearing, only about your license | Cal. Veh. Code § 13558 · California DMV |
| Colorado | 7 days | the date of the arrest, or the date on the DMV letter if you took a blood test (calendar days) | DMV Hearings (an Expressed Consent hearing) | Colorado DMV |
| Florida | 10 days | the notice; the temporary permit also lasts 10 days | formal or informal review by the department | Fla. Stat. § 322.2615 |
| Iowa | 10 days | receipt of the notice of revocation; the form must be returned by then | Iowa Department of Transportation hearing | Iowa Code § 321J.13 |
| Kansas | 14 days | service of the notice; a mailed request must be postmarked by then | Kansas Division of Vehicles administrative hearing (a hearing fee applies) | K.S.A. 8-1020(a) |
| Maine | 10 days | the date the suspension takes effect | Secretary of State hearing | 29-A M.R.S. § 2483 |
| Maryland | 10 days | the arrest: ask within 10 days to keep driving until a hearing scheduled within 45 days, or within 30 days at the latest | a show-cause hearing on the suspension | Md. Code, Transp. § 16-205.1 |
| Minnesota | 60 days | receipt of the notice and order of revocation; this is a petition to the district court, and you can also ask the commissioner for an administrative review | District court (judicial review) | Minn. Stat. § 169A.53, subd. 2 |
| Missouri | 15 days | receipt of the notice of suspension or revocation | Department of Revenue hearing | RSMo § 302.530 |
| New York | No deadline to ask | after a refusal the DMV schedules its own hearing; if it is not held within 15 days after your arraignment, the license is reinstated until the hearing. At 0.08 or more, the court suspends the license while the case is pending. | DMV refusal hearing; the criminal court | N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law §§ 1193(2)(e)(7), 1194(2)(c) |
| North Dakota | 10 days | the date the temporary operator's permit was issued | hearing before the director | N.D.C.C. § 39-20-05 |
| South Carolina | 30 days | the issuance of the notice of suspension | Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings (a contested case hearing) | S.C. Code § 56-5-2951(B)(1) |
| Texas | 15 days | receipt of the notice; without a request, the suspension starts on the 40th day (40 days after you receive the notice) | State Office of Administrative Hearings judge | Tex. Transp. Code §§ 524.021, 524.031 |
| Utah | 10 days | the day the officer gave you notice (calendar days); the division must offer a hearing within 45 days after the arrest | Driver License Division hearing | Utah Code § 53-3-223(6)(a) |
| Vermont | 7 days | receipt of the notice of intention to suspend; the hearing is before the Superior Court | Superior Court, Criminal Division | 23 V.S.A. § 1205(f) |
| Virginia | No hearing to ask for in this section | on a first arrest the license is suspended right away for 7 days, or 60 days when the charge is a second offense, and the period ends no later than the trial. | the court | Va. Code § 46.2-391.2 |
| Washington | 7 days | the arrest, or the date the notice was given; the suspension begins 30 days after the arrest | Department of Licensing hearing | Washington DOL |
State map · 18 of 51 with a value
Days to ask for a license hearing after a DUI arrest
- Under 10 days3
- 10 days to 14 days8
- 15 days to 29 days2
- 30 days or more3
- No request deadline2
- Not checked33
See the table 51 rows
| State | Days to ask | The rule | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not checked | ||
| Alaska | Not checked | ||
| Arizona | 30 days | 30 days from the date of the notice | A.R.S. § 28-1385 |
| Arkansas | Not checked | ||
| California | 10 days | 10 days from the day you received the order | Cal. Veh. Code § 13558 · California DMV |
| Colorado | 7 days | 7 days from the date of the arrest, or the date on the DMV letter if you took a blood test (calendar days) | Colorado DMV |
| Connecticut | Not checked | ||
| Delaware | Not checked | ||
| District of Columbia | Not checked | ||
| Florida | 10 days | 10 days from the notice | Fla. Stat. § 322.2615 |
| Georgia | Not checked | ||
| Hawaii | Not checked | ||
| Idaho | Not checked | ||
| Illinois | Not checked | ||
| Indiana | Not checked | ||
| Iowa | 10 days | 10 days from receipt of the notice of revocation | Iowa Code § 321J.13 |
| Kansas | 14 days | 14 days from service of the notice | K.S.A. 8-1020(a) |
| Kentucky | Not checked | ||
| Louisiana | Not checked | ||
| Maine | 10 days | 10 days from the date the suspension takes effect | 29-A M.R.S. § 2483 |
| Maryland | 10 days | 10 days from the arrest: ask within 10 days to keep driving until a hearing scheduled within 45 days, or within 30 days at the latest | Md. Code, Transp. § 16-205.1 |
| Massachusetts | Not checked | ||
| Michigan | Not checked | ||
| Minnesota | 60 days | 60 days from receipt of the notice and order of revocation | Minn. Stat. § 169A.53, subd. 2 |
| Mississippi | Not checked | ||
| Missouri | 15 days | 15 days from receipt of the notice of suspension or revocation | RSMo § 302.530 |
| Montana | Not checked | ||
| Nebraska | Not checked | ||
| Nevada | Not checked | ||
| New Hampshire | Not checked | ||
| New Jersey | Not checked | ||
| New Mexico | Not checked | ||
| New York | No request deadline | No deadline to ask: after a refusal the DMV schedules its own hearing; if it is not held within 15 days after your arraignment, the license is reinstated until the hearing. At 0.08 or more, the court suspends the license while the case is pending. | N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law §§ 1193(2)(e)(7), 1194(2)(c) |
| North Carolina | Not checked | ||
| North Dakota | 10 days | 10 days from the date the temporary operator's permit was issued | N.D.C.C. § 39-20-05 |
| Ohio | Not checked | ||
| Oklahoma | Not checked | ||
| Oregon | Not checked | ||
| Pennsylvania | Not checked | ||
| Rhode Island | Not checked | ||
| South Carolina | 30 days | 30 days from the issuance of the notice of suspension | S.C. Code § 56-5-2951(B)(1) |
| South Dakota | Not checked | ||
| Tennessee | Not checked | ||
| Texas | 15 days | 15 days from receipt of the notice | Tex. Transp. Code §§ 524.021, 524.031 |
| Utah | 10 days | 10 days from the day the officer gave you notice (calendar days) | Utah Code § 53-3-223(6)(a) |
| Vermont | 7 days | 7 days from receipt of the notice of intention to suspend | 23 V.S.A. § 1205(f) |
| Virginia | No request deadline | No hearing to ask for in this section: on a first arrest the license is suspended right away for 7 days, or 60 days when the charge is a second offense, and the period ends no later than the trial. | Va. Code § 46.2-391.2 |
| Washington | 7 days | 7 days from the arrest, or the date the notice was given | Washington DOL |
| West Virginia | Not checked | ||
| Wisconsin | Not checked | ||
| Wyoming | Not checked |
Each state's value is the one its row of this page's table states, with the law it cites. Nothing you tap is saved or sent. Not legal advice.
How much does a DUI cost? First-offense fines and jail, state by state
The fine is the one cost the law caps, so it is the place to start. For a first offense without injury, at the usual test level, the laws of these states say:
| State | Highest fine, first offense | Lowest fine | Jail for a first offense | Refusing the test | Law |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $2,500 (a class 1 misdemeanor) | $250 | at least 10 consecutive days; up to 6 months | suspended for 12 months | A.R.S. §§ 28-1381(I), 13-802(A), 13-707(A), 28-1321 |
| California | $1,000 | $390 | 96 hours to 6 months (48 hours to 6 months with probation) | suspended for 1 year | Cal. Veh. Code §§ 23536, 23538, 23612 |
| Florida | $1,000 ($2,000 at 0.15 or more, or with a passenger under 18) | $500 | up to 6 months (9 months at 0.15 or more) | suspended for 1 year | Fla. Stat. §§ 316.193, 322.2615 |
| Iowa | $1,250 | $1,250; the court may waive up to $625 in some cases | 48 hours to 1 year | revoked for 1 year | Iowa Code §§ 321J.2(3), 321J.9 |
| Kansas | $1,000 | $750 | 48 consecutive hours to 6 months, or 100 hours of public service | suspended for 1 year, then 2 years with an interlock | K.S.A. 8-1567(b)(1)(A), 8-1014(a)(1) |
| Minnesota | $1,000 (a misdemeanor) | No minimum in these sections | up to 90 days | Not checked for this page | Minn. Stat. §§ 169A.27, 609.02, subd. 3 |
| Missouri | $1,000 (a class B misdemeanor) | Not checked for this page | Not checked for this page | Not checked for this page | RSMo §§ 577.010, 558.002 |
| New York | $1,000 | $500 | up to 1 year | revoked for at least 1 year, and a $500 civil penalty | N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law §§ 1193, 1194(2) |
| South Carolina | $400 | $400 | or 48 hours to 30 days instead of the fine | Not checked for this page | S.C. Code § 56-5-2930(A)(1) |
| Texas | $2,000 ($4,000 at 0.15 or more) | No minimum fine | at least 72 hours, up to 180 days | suspended for 180 days | Tex. Penal Code §§ 12.22, 49.04 · Tex. Transp. Code § 724.035 |
| Vermont | $750 | No minimum in this subsection | up to 2 years | Not checked for this page | 23 V.S.A. § 1210(b) |
More costs come on top of the fine, set by other rules:
- A DUI program. In California, probation for a first DUI comes with a licensed DUI program, at least 3 months long when the test was under 0.20. Cal. Veh. Code § 23538
- An ignition interlock. In Florida the court can order one for at least 6 continuous months, and the driver pays for it. Fla. Stat. § 316.1937
- Proof of insurance. In California you must file proof of insurance (an SR 22) and keep it for 3 years. California DMV
- Vehicle impoundment and community service. Florida orders a 10-day impoundment and at least 50 hours of community service for a first DUI. Fla. Stat. § 316.193
- Hearing and reinstatement fees. Kansas charges a fee to request the license hearing, and most states charge to reinstate a license; each agency publishes its own amount.
Tip. Higher ranges apply with a high test result, a child in the car, an injury or an earlier offense. Texas: at 0.15 or more a first DWI is a Class A misdemeanor, with up to 1 year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Tex. Penal Code §§ 12.21, 49.04
State map · 11 of 51 with a value
The highest fine for a first DUI, state by state
- Under $7501
- $750 to $9991
- $1,000 to $1,9997
- $2,000 or more2
- Not checked40
See the table 51 rows
| State | Highest fine, first offense | The rule | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not checked | ||
| Alaska | Not checked | ||
| Arizona | $2,500 | $250 to $2,500, and at least 10 consecutive days in jail | A.R.S. §§ 28-1381(I), 13-802(A), 13-707(A), 28-1321 |
| Arkansas | Not checked | ||
| California | $1,000 | $390 to $1,000, and 96 hours to 6 months in jail | Cal. Veh. Code §§ 23536, 23538, 23612 |
| Colorado | Not checked | ||
| Connecticut | Not checked | ||
| Delaware | Not checked | ||
| District of Columbia | Not checked | ||
| Florida | $1,000 | $500 to $1,000, and up to 6 months in jail | Fla. Stat. §§ 316.193, 322.2615 |
| Georgia | Not checked | ||
| Hawaii | Not checked | ||
| Idaho | Not checked | ||
| Illinois | Not checked | ||
| Indiana | Not checked | ||
| Iowa | $1,250 | a $1,250 fine, and 48 hours to 1 year in jail | Iowa Code §§ 321J.2(3), 321J.9 |
| Kansas | $1,000 | $750 to $1,000, and 48 consecutive hours to 6 months | K.S.A. 8-1567(b)(1)(A), 8-1014(a)(1) |
| Kentucky | Not checked | ||
| Louisiana | Not checked | ||
| Maine | Not checked | ||
| Maryland | Not checked | ||
| Massachusetts | Not checked | ||
| Michigan | Not checked | ||
| Minnesota | $1,000 | up to $1,000, and up to 90 days in jail | Minn. Stat. §§ 169A.27, 609.02, subd. 3 |
| Mississippi | Not checked | ||
| Missouri | $1,000 | up to $1,000 as a class B misdemeanor | RSMo §§ 577.010, 558.002 |
| Montana | Not checked | ||
| Nebraska | Not checked | ||
| Nevada | Not checked | ||
| New Hampshire | Not checked | ||
| New Jersey | Not checked | ||
| New Mexico | Not checked | ||
| New York | $1,000 | $500 to $1,000, and up to 1 year in jail | N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law §§ 1193, 1194(2) |
| North Carolina | Not checked | ||
| North Dakota | Not checked | ||
| Ohio | Not checked | ||
| Oklahoma | Not checked | ||
| Oregon | Not checked | ||
| Pennsylvania | Not checked | ||
| Rhode Island | Not checked | ||
| South Carolina | $400 | a $400 fine, or 48 hours to 30 days | S.C. Code § 56-5-2930(A)(1) |
| South Dakota | Not checked | ||
| Tennessee | Not checked | ||
| Texas | $2,000 | up to $2,000, and 72 hours to 180 days | Tex. Penal Code §§ 12.22, 49.04 · Tex. Transp. Code § 724.035 |
| Utah | Not checked | ||
| Vermont | $750 | up to $750, and up to 2 years | 23 V.S.A. § 1210(b) |
| Virginia | Not checked | ||
| Washington | Not checked | ||
| West Virginia | Not checked | ||
| Wisconsin | Not checked | ||
| Wyoming | Not checked |
Each state's value is the one its row of this page's table states, with the law it cites. Nothing you tap is saved or sent. Not legal advice.
What does a DUI lawyer cost? How the fees work
No state publishes a price for a DUI lawyer. Private lawyers set their own fees, so the same case can be quoted very differently. What the rules settle is how a fee must be explained and what a lawyer may not do:
- The fee and what it covers must be explained. Under the ABA model rule most states follow, the scope of the work and the basis or rate of the fee must be communicated to you, preferably in writing, before or soon after the work starts.ABA Model Rule 1.5(b)
- No fee that depends on winning. The model rule bars a contingent fee for representing a defendant in a criminal case, so a DUI lawyer charges a flat fee or by the hour, not a share of an outcome.ABA Model Rule 1.5(d)
- Money paid in advance stays yours until it is earned. A lawyer must deposit fees paid in advance into a client trust account and take them out only as fees are earned or expenses incurred.ABA Model Rule 1.15(c)
- In writing in California at $1,000. A fee agreement must be in writing when fees and costs are expected to total $1,000 or more, the State Bar of California says.State Bar of California
Questions that change the price: does the fee cover the license hearing, the court case or both? Is a trial extra? Who pays for an expert, a blood retest or records? What happens to an advance if the case ends early? Each state adopts its own version of the model rules, so ask how yours applies.
Bar-run referral services connect you with a lawyer for your kind of problem. The ones this guide has checked publish a first-consultation price: the State Bar of Texas service up to $20 for up to 30 minutes, The Florida Bar service up to $25 for 30 minutes, and the New York State Bar Association service normally $35 for the first half hour; California certifies its referral services, which you search by county. See Find a lawyer or free legal aid for the details.
Free help: a public defender for a DUI charge
If you cannot afford a lawyer and the charge can bring jail, ask the judge for one at your first court date.
- California. Tell the judge at your arraignment, and the court will appoint a lawyer, usually a public defender.California Courts
- Texas. A defendant who cannot afford a lawyer gets one appointed when the case may end in jail.Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 1.051(c)
- Florida. Public defenders represent people who cannot afford a lawyer and face a traffic charge that can bring jail.Fla. Stat. § 27.51(1)(b)
- New York. A defendant has the right to a lawyer at the arraignment and at every stage after it.N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 170.10
- Federal court. In a federal case, representation is provided for any financially eligible person charged with a felony or a Class A misdemeanor.18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(1)(A)
A public defender usually handles the criminal case; ask whether they can also help with the license hearing, which is a separate case. See Getting a public defender for who qualifies and how to ask.
When a DUI lawyer matters most
- Someone was hurt, or a child was in the car. In Texas, driving while intoxicated with a passenger younger than 15 is a state jail felony. In Florida, a passenger under 18 raises the fine to $1,000 to $2,000. Tex. Penal Code § 49.045 · Fla. Stat. § 316.193
- A high test result. In Texas, 0.15 or more makes a first DWI a Class A misdemeanor; in Florida it raises the fine and the possible jail time. Tex. Penal Code § 49.04 · Fla. Stat. § 316.193
- An earlier DUI. California counts DUI convictions on your driving record for 10 years, and penalties rise with each one. California DMV
- You refused the test. A refusal brings its own suspension, separate from the charge: 1 year for a first refusal in California and Florida, 180 days in Texas, 12 months in Arizona. Cal. Veh. Code § 23612 · Tex. Transp. Code § 724.035 · A.R.S. § 28-1321
- You drive for a living. In Texas and Florida, 0.04 or more in a commercial vehicle brings a 1-year disqualification from commercial driving. Tex. Transp. Code § 522.081 · Fla. Stat. § 322.61
- You are not a U.S. citizen. California's courts warn that a criminal conviction can have immigration consequences. Say so to the lawyer before any plea. California Courts
Check a lawyer's license in your state before you hire
Before you pay anyone, check that the lawyer is licensed in the state where you were arrested. It takes a minute on the official search, and it is the same check for a DUI lawyer as for any other.
Lawyers are licensed by a state agency in each state, and that agency can tell you whether a person has a law license and may practice there, the American Bar Association says. Its list names the agency in every state: in some it is the state bar, in others the state's highest court or one of its agencies. The table below gives each one, with a link where the site is a government or state-bar site this guide links to. ABA: Lawyer Licensing
| State | Where to check a lawyer's license | Run by |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama State Bar member search (alabar.org) | A state bar |
| Alaska | Alaska Bar Association member directory (alaskabar.org) | A state bar |
| Arizona | State Bar of Arizona lawyer search (azbar.org) | A state bar |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Judiciary attorney search | A court or court agency |
| California | State Bar of California attorney search | A state bar |
| Colorado | Colorado Supreme Court attorney search (coloradosupremecourt.com) | A court or court agency |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Judicial Branch attorney and firm inquiry | A court or court agency |
| Delaware | Delaware public attorney search, at the address the ABA lists | Another official site |
| District of Columbia | D.C. Bar member directory (dcbar.org) | A state bar |
| Florida | The Florida Bar member search | A state bar |
| Georgia | State Bar of Georgia member search (gabar.org) | A state bar |
| Hawaii | Hawaii State Bar Association lawyer search (hsba.org) | A state bar |
| Idaho | Idaho State Bar attorney roster | A state bar |
| Illinois | Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (iardc.org) | A court or court agency |
| Indiana | Indiana Roll of Attorneys | A court or court agency |
| Iowa | Iowa court commissions lawyer search (iacourtcommissions.org) | A court or court agency |
| Kansas | Kansas courts attorney registration directory (kscourts.org) | A court or court agency |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Bar Association member search (kybar.org) | A state bar |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board search (ladb.org) | A court or court agency |
| Maine | Maine attorney directory | Another official site |
| Maryland | Maryland Courts attorney search | A court or court agency |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers attorney lookup (massbbo.org) | A court or court agency |
| Michigan | State Bar of Michigan member directory (michbar.org) | A state bar |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Lawyer Registration Office public search | A court or court agency |
| Mississippi | The Mississippi Bar lawyer directory (msbar.org) | A state bar |
| Missouri | The Missouri Bar lawyer directory (mobar.org) | A state bar |
| Montana | State Bar of Montana member search (montanabar.org) | A state bar |
| Nebraska | Nebraska lawyer search | Another official site |
| Nevada | State Bar of Nevada lawyer search (nvbar.org) | A state bar |
| New Hampshire | Call the New Hampshire Bar Association at 603-224-6942 | By phone |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Courts attorney search (njcourts.gov) | A court or court agency |
| New Mexico | State Bar of New Mexico (sbnm.org) | A state bar |
| New York | New York State Unified Court System attorney search | A court or court agency |
| North Carolina | North Carolina State Bar license verification | A state bar |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Courts lawyer search | A court or court agency |
| Ohio | Supreme Court of Ohio attorney search | A court or court agency |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Bar Association member search (okbar.org) | A state bar |
| Oregon | Oregon State Bar member search (osbar.org) | A state bar |
| Pennsylvania | Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania attorney search (padisciplinaryboard.org) | A court or court agency |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Bar Association member directory (ribar.com) | A state bar |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Judicial Branch attorney search (sccourts.org) | A court or court agency |
| South Dakota | Call the State Bar of South Dakota at 605-224-7554 | By phone |
| Tennessee | Board of Professional Responsibility online attorney directory (tbpr.org) | A court or court agency |
| Texas | State Bar of Texas Find a Lawyer | A state bar |
| Utah | Utah State Bar member directory (utahbar.org) | A state bar |
| Vermont | Vermont Judiciary attorney licensing page, "Attorneys in Good Standing" (vermontjudiciary.org) | A court or court agency |
| Virginia | Virginia State Bar attorney search (vsb.org) | A state bar |
| Washington | Washington State Bar Association lawyer directory (wsba.org) | A state bar |
| West Virginia | West Virginia State Bar member search (wvbar.org) | A state bar |
| Wisconsin | State Bar of Wisconsin lawyer search (wisbar.org) | A state bar |
| Wyoming | Wyoming State Bar membership directory (wyomingbar.org) | A state bar |
- Search the exact name on the license, and check that the status is active and the person is allowed to practice now.
- Look for public discipline. Many of these searches show it, and the same agency handles complaints about lawyers.
- A lawyer from another state usually cannot handle a case in your state's courts unless the court lets them in for that case.
- A business name is not a license. Ask for the lawyer’s own name and check that person, not the firm.
State map · 51 of 51 with a value
Check a lawyer's license: who runs the official search in your state
- A state bar27
- A court or court agency19
- Another official site3
- By phone2
See the table 51 rows
| State | Who runs the search | The rule | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | A state bar | Alabama State Bar member search (alabar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Alaska | A state bar | Alaska Bar Association member directory (alaskabar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Arizona | A state bar | State Bar of Arizona lawyer search (azbar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Arkansas | A court or court agency | Arkansas Judiciary attorney search (arkansas.gov) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| California | A state bar | State Bar of California attorney search (calbar.ca.gov) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Colorado | A court or court agency | Colorado Supreme Court attorney search (coloradosupremecourt.com) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Connecticut | A court or court agency | Connecticut Judicial Branch attorney and firm inquiry (jud.ct.gov) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Delaware | Another official site | Delaware public attorney search, at the address the ABA lists | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| District of Columbia | A state bar | D.C. Bar member directory (dcbar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Florida | A state bar | The Florida Bar member search (floridabar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Georgia | A state bar | State Bar of Georgia member search (gabar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Hawaii | A state bar | Hawaii State Bar Association lawyer search (hsba.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Idaho | A state bar | Idaho State Bar attorney roster (isb.idaho.gov) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Illinois | A court or court agency | Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (iardc.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Indiana | A court or court agency | Indiana Roll of Attorneys (in.gov) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Iowa | A court or court agency | Iowa court commissions lawyer search (iacourtcommissions.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Kansas | A court or court agency | Kansas courts attorney registration directory (kscourts.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Kentucky | A state bar | Kentucky Bar Association member search (kybar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Louisiana | A court or court agency | Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board search (ladb.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Maine | Another official site | Maine attorney directory (maine.gov) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Maryland | A court or court agency | Maryland Courts attorney search (mdcourts.gov) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Massachusetts | A court or court agency | Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers attorney lookup (massbbo.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Michigan | A state bar | State Bar of Michigan member directory (michbar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Minnesota | A court or court agency | Minnesota Lawyer Registration Office public search (lro.mn.gov) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Mississippi | A state bar | The Mississippi Bar lawyer directory (msbar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Missouri | A state bar | The Missouri Bar lawyer directory (mobar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Montana | A state bar | State Bar of Montana member search (montanabar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Nebraska | Another official site | Nebraska lawyer search (ne.gov) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Nevada | A state bar | State Bar of Nevada lawyer search (nvbar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| New Hampshire | By phone | Call the New Hampshire Bar Association at 603-224-6942 | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| New Jersey | A court or court agency | New Jersey Courts attorney search (njcourts.gov) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| New Mexico | A state bar | State Bar of New Mexico (sbnm.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| New York | A court or court agency | New York State Unified Court System attorney search (courts.state.ny.us) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| North Carolina | A state bar | North Carolina State Bar license verification (ncbar.gov) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| North Dakota | A court or court agency | North Dakota Courts lawyer search (ndcourts.gov) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Ohio | A court or court agency | Supreme Court of Ohio attorney search (supremecourt.ohio.gov) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Oklahoma | A state bar | Oklahoma Bar Association member search (okbar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Oregon | A state bar | Oregon State Bar member search (osbar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Pennsylvania | A court or court agency | Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania attorney search (padisciplinaryboard.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Rhode Island | A state bar | Rhode Island Bar Association member directory (ribar.com) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| South Carolina | A court or court agency | South Carolina Judicial Branch attorney search (sccourts.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| South Dakota | By phone | Call the State Bar of South Dakota at 605-224-7554 | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Tennessee | A court or court agency | Board of Professional Responsibility online attorney directory (tbpr.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Texas | A state bar | State Bar of Texas Find a Lawyer (texasbar.com) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Utah | A state bar | Utah State Bar member directory (utahbar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Vermont | A court or court agency | Vermont Judiciary attorney licensing page, "Attorneys in Good Standing" (vermontjudiciary.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Virginia | A state bar | Virginia State Bar attorney search (vsb.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Washington | A state bar | Washington State Bar Association lawyer directory (wsba.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| West Virginia | A state bar | West Virginia State Bar member search (wvbar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Wisconsin | A state bar | State Bar of Wisconsin lawyer search (wisbar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
| Wyoming | A state bar | Wyoming State Bar membership directory (wyomingbar.org) | ABA: Lawyer Licensing |
Each state's value is the one its row of this page's table states, with the law it cites. Nothing you tap is saved or sent. Not legal advice.
Your first consultation with a DUI lawyer: what to bring and what to ask
Most of what a lawyer needs is on the papers you were given at the arrest. Bring them all, and write down your questions before you go:
- The notice of suspension and any temporary license. They show the license deadline and how to ask for the hearing.
- The citation and the court date. They show the charge and when the criminal case starts.
- The test you took or refused. Breath, blood or urine, and any result you were given.
- Your driving record and any earlier case. Earlier offenses change the penalties in every state on this page.
- Your questions about the fee. What it covers, whether a trial costs more, and the agreement in writing.
Checklist
Ready for the first meeting with a DUI lawyer?
Tick each point as you get it ready.
Every point comes from this page and its official sources. Your ticks are not saved or sent anywhere. Not legal advice.
Common questions about DUI lawyers
Do I need a lawyer for a DUI?
The law does not require one, but a DUI starts a license case and a criminal case with different deadlines. California's courts say to talk to a lawyer if you face misdemeanor or felony charges, and to ask the judge for a court-appointed lawyer if you cannot afford one.
How much does a DUI lawyer cost?
No state sets a price: private lawyers set their own fees. Ask whether the fee covers the license hearing, the court case or both, and whether a trial costs more, and get it in writing. In California a fee agreement must be in writing when fees and costs are expected to reach $1,000.
How much does a DUI cost?
Start with the fine the law allows: for a first offense, up to $1,000 in California, Florida and New York, $2,000 in Texas and $2,500 in Arizona. Programs, an interlock, proof of insurance and agency fees come on top, and a lawyer's fee is separate.
Why are DUI lawyers so expensive?
There is no official price list, and a DUI is two cases: a license hearing with a short deadline and a criminal case that can go to trial. A DUI lawyer may not charge a contingent fee in a criminal case under the ABA model rule, so the fee is flat or hourly. Ask exactly what it covers.
How long do I have to ask for a DMV hearing after a DUI?
It depends on the state: 7 days in Colorado, Vermont and Washington, 10 days in California, Florida, Iowa, Maine, North Dakota and Utah, 14 days in Kansas, 15 days in Texas and Missouri, and 30 days in Arizona and South Carolina. Your notice says how to send the request.
Can I get a public defender for a DUI?
Yes, if you cannot afford a lawyer and the charge can bring jail. Tell the judge at your first court date. Texas appoints a lawyer when the case may end in jail, and Florida's public defenders handle traffic charges that can bring jail.
Do you go to jail for a first DUI?
Some states set a minimum: 96 hours in California (48 hours with probation), 72 hours in Texas, 48 hours in Kansas and Iowa, and at least 10 consecutive days in Arizona. The judge sets the sentence within the law's range.
What is a retainer for a DUI lawyer?
Money paid in advance. Under the ABA model rule a lawyer must keep fees paid in advance in a client trust account and take them only as fees are earned, so ask how the advance is used and what happens to any part not earned.
Is it worth fighting a DUI?
That depends on the facts, and only a lawyer who has seen your papers can say. Two things are worth knowing: the license hearing is a separate chance, with its own short deadline, and a refusal, a high test result or an earlier offense raises what is at stake.
How do I check a DUI lawyer's license?
Use the official search of the state where you were arrested. The American Bar Association lists the agency in every state: the state bar in some, the state's highest court or its agency in others. The table on this page has each one.
Official sources
- California DMV: Driving under the influence (suspension, the DMV hearing, restricted licenses, SR 22) dmv.ca.gov
- California Vehicle Code § 13558: the DMV hearing on a suspension or revocation leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- California Vehicle Code § 23536: penalties for a first DUI leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- California Vehicle Code § 23538: probation and the DUI program for a first DUI leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- California Vehicle Code § 23612: implied consent to chemical testing leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- California Courts Self-Help Guide: Guide to criminal court (the right to a court-appointed lawyer) courts.ca.gov
- Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 524: administrative license suspension and the hearing (§§ 524.021, 524.031) legis.texas.gov
- Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 724: implied consent (§ 724.035) legis.texas.gov
- Texas Penal Code, Chapter 49: intoxication offenses (§§ 49.04, 49.045) legis.texas.gov
- Texas Penal Code, Chapter 12: punishments for Class A and Class B misdemeanors (§§ 12.21, 12.22) legis.texas.gov
- Texas Code of Criminal Procedure art. 1.051: right to representation by counsel legis.texas.gov
- Florida Statutes § 322.2615 (2026): license suspension and the right to review flsenate.gov
- Florida Statutes § 316.193 (2026): driving under the influence, penalties flsenate.gov
- Florida Statutes § 316.1937 (2026): ignition interlock devices flsenate.gov
- Florida Statutes § 27.51 (2026): duties of the public defender flsenate.gov
- New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1193: sanctions nysenate.gov
- New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1194: arrest, testing and refusals nysenate.gov
- New York Criminal Procedure Law § 170.10: arraignment and the right to counsel nysenate.gov
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-1385: administrative license suspension, the hearing request within thirty days azleg.gov
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-1381: driving under the influence, first-offense jail and fine azleg.gov
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-802: fines for misdemeanors azleg.gov
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-707: jail terms for misdemeanors azleg.gov
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-1321: implied consent and refusal azleg.gov
- Colorado DMV: The DUI administrative process (the 7-day hearing request) dmv.colorado.gov
- Iowa Code § 321J.13: hearing on revocation legis.iowa.gov
- Iowa Code § 321J.2: operating while intoxicated, penalties legis.iowa.gov
- Iowa Code § 321J.9: refusal to submit, revocation legis.iowa.gov
- Kansas Statutes 8-1020: administrative hearing request ksrevisor.gov
- Kansas Statutes 8-1567: driving under the influence, penalties ksrevisor.gov
- Kansas Statutes 8-1014: suspension for test refusal or failure ksrevisor.gov
- Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A § 2483: hearing request legislature.maine.gov
- Maryland Transportation Article § 16-205.1: chemical tests, suspension and the show-cause hearing mgaleg.maryland.gov
- Minnesota Statutes § 169A.53: administrative and judicial review of a license revocation revisor.mn.gov
- Minnesota Statutes § 169A.27: fourth-degree driving while impaired revisor.mn.gov
- Minnesota Statutes § 609.02: definitions (misdemeanor) revisor.mn.gov
- Missouri Revised Statutes § 302.530: hearing on a suspension or revocation revisor.mo.gov
- Missouri Revised Statutes § 577.010: driving while intoxicated revisor.mo.gov
- Missouri Revised Statutes § 558.002: fines for misdemeanors revisor.mo.gov
- North Dakota Century Code, Chapter 39-20: chemical tests (§ 39-20-05, the hearing request) ndlegis.gov
- South Carolina Code, Title 56, Chapter 5 (§§ 56-5-2930, 56-5-2951) scstatehouse.gov
- Utah Code § 53-3-223: chemical test, temporary license, hearing (effective 7/1/2026) le.utah.gov
- Code of Virginia § 46.2-391.2: administrative suspension of license law.lis.virginia.gov
- Vermont Statutes, Title 23 § 1205: civil suspension and the hearing legislature.vermont.gov
- Vermont Statutes, Title 23 § 1210: penalties legislature.vermont.gov
- Washington State Department of Licensing: DUI suspension and the hearing request dol.wa.gov
- Texas Transportation Code § 522.081: commercial driver disqualification legis.texas.gov
- Florida Statutes § 322.61 (2026): disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle flsenate.gov
- California Driver's Handbook, Section 9: Alcohol and drugs (DUI convictions stay on the record for 10 years) dmv.ca.gov
- California DMV: DUI first offenders, alcohol involved, non-injury (PDF) dmv.ca.gov
- 18 U.S.C. § 3006A: adequate representation of defendants (federal court) govinfo.gov
- State Bar of California: What to expect regarding fees and billing calbar.ca.gov
- ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5: Fees (written fee terms, contingent fees, the ban in criminal and divorce cases) americanbar.org
- ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.15: Safekeeping property (fees paid in advance go into a client trust account) americanbar.org
- State Bar of Texas: Lawyer Referral & Information Service texasbar.com
- The Florida Bar: Lawyer Referral Service floridabar.org
- New York State Bar Association: Lawyer Referral Service nysba.org
- State Bar of California: certified lawyer referral services calbar.ca.gov
- American Bar Association: Lawyer Licensing (the agency that licenses lawyers in each state, with its search), opened November 1, 2026 americanbar.org
- Arkansas: Arkansas Judiciary attorney search, as the ABA lists it attorneyinfo.aoc.arkansas.gov
- California: State Bar of California attorney search, as the ABA lists it apps.calbar.ca.gov
- Connecticut: Connecticut Judicial Branch attorney and firm inquiry, as the ABA lists it jud.ct.gov
- Florida: The Florida Bar member search, as the ABA lists it floridabar.org
- Idaho: Idaho State Bar attorney roster, as the ABA lists it isb.idaho.gov
- Indiana: Indiana Roll of Attorneys, as the ABA lists it courtapps.in.gov
- Maine: Maine attorney directory, as the ABA lists it maine.gov
- Maryland: Maryland Courts attorney search, as the ABA lists it mdcourts.gov
- Minnesota: Minnesota Lawyer Registration Office public search, as the ABA lists it lro.mn.gov
- Nebraska: Nebraska lawyer search, as the ABA lists it mcle.wcc.ne.gov
- New York: New York State Unified Court System attorney search, as the ABA lists it iapps.courts.state.ny.us
- North Carolina: North Carolina State Bar license verification, as the ABA lists it portal.ncbar.gov
- North Dakota: North Dakota Courts lawyer search, as the ABA lists it ndcourts.gov
- Ohio: Supreme Court of Ohio attorney search, as the ABA lists it supremecourt.ohio.gov
- Texas: State Bar of Texas Find a Lawyer, as the ABA lists it texasbar.com
Related
This page explains the law in general terms. It is not legal advice about your situation. Justice is not a law firm and is not affiliated with any court or government agency.