Hiring a DUI Lawyer in Oregon
What a first DUI can cost in Oregon, how criminal lawyers charge, your right to a public defender, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Oregon: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Oregon Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5 prohibits illegal or clearly excessive fees, listing whether a fee is fixed or contingent among the reasonableness factors. Rule 1.5(c) bars fees in domestic relations matters contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of spousal or child support or a property settlement, and contingent fees for defending a criminal case. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The Oregon State Bar's Board of Governors voted to sunset its Fee Dispute Resolution Program effective September 25, 2026, so the program is no longer available. The bar points to its Client Security Fund for losses caused by dishonest conduct and notes that small claims court may be an option for fee disputes of $10,000 or less. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Oregon State Bar's Client Security Fund may reimburse money or property taken through dishonest conduct by an Oregon lawyer or licensed paralegal while providing legal services or acting as a fiduciary. It does not cover negligence or malpractice, business or investment dealings (including loans), interest, or losses paid by insurance or bonds. Generally the lawyer must have been convicted of a crime or be subject to a civil judgment (for losses of $5,000 or less, disbarment, suspension, reprimand or resignation also qualifies), and you must have tried unsuccessfully to recover; awards are discretionary. The maximum award is $100,000 for misconduct on or after January 1, 2022 ($50,000 for earlier conduct), and no more than the fees paid or money received. Claims must be filed within two years of the latest of the conviction, judgment, discipline or resignation, or when you knew or should have known of the loss, and never more than six years after the loss. Apply online or mail the signed application to Oregon State Bar, PO Box 231935, Tigard, OR 97281; a lawyer is not required. |
Oregon rules to know first
| First-offense DUI penalties | DUII is a Class A misdemeanor. A first conviction carries a minimum fine of $1,000 (at least $2,000 with 0.15 or more), and the court must impose at least 48 hours in jail or community service. The person must complete screening and treatment, and a DUII treatment completion certificate is required before driving privileges return. The DMV suspends the license for one year for a first conviction (hardship permit possible), and an ignition interlock is required after the suspension for one, two, or five years depending on prior offenses. The Class A misdemeanor maximum jail/fine is set in ORS chapter 161, which was not read. |
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| Refusing a breath test | Refusing a breath, blood, or urine test: one-year suspension (three years if, within the prior five years, the person had a DUII conviction, a diversion, or an implied consent suspension). Failing the test: 90 days (one year with such a prior). A urine test refusal adds a consecutive suspension. The officer takes a valid Oregon license and issues a 30-day temporary permit; the driver is entitled to a hearing. A court may also impose a presumptive $650 fine for refusing a breath or urine test. Refusal is admissible as evidence in court. |
| Hardship license | A hardship permit is available for some suspensions and for habitual-offender revocation. After a first DUII conviction a hardship permit may be available (with a 30-day wait if the person was convicted of a separate traffic crime in the prior year); after an implied consent suspension, the waiting times are 90 days for a refusal and 30 days for a failed test. The permit is also available when the person is eligible for reinstatement but must still finish DUII treatment and use an ignition interlock. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Oregon State Bar's Legal Referral Service refers you to a lawyer near you (or near where help is needed) who may be able to help. Use the online referral request form or call 503-684-3763 (toll-free in Oregon 800-452-7636); staff work remotely and do not accept walk-ins. You must contact the lawyer within two business days to schedule an initial consultation of up to 30 minutes for a maximum fee of $50; additional fees are arranged directly with the lawyer. Participating attorneys charge for their services; the service does not offer free or pro bono attorneys. The bar's Modest Means Program offers reduced rates to eligible moderate-income Oregonians. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Oregon State Bar's Licensee Directory can be searched by last name, first name, bar number or city (including previous names). The bar describes it as a convenience for finding licensees' contact information, not a complete listing; the Client Assistance Office says it also includes disciplinary history. A Good Standing Certificate can be ordered from the bar. Help: (503) 620-0222 x0, (800) 452-8260 x0 or info@osbar.org. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The Oregon State Bar's Client Assistance Office (CAO) reviews all complaints about lawyer and licensed paralegal conduct. Submit online with the ethics complaint form or mail a written complaint (no particular form required; send copies, not originals, on one side of each page) to Oregon State Bar, PO Box 231935, Tigard, OR 97281. The CAO sends a copy to the lawyer and gives you a copy of any written response; it dismisses complaints without enough basis or refers them to Disciplinary Counsel's Office for investigation, after which the State Professional Responsibility Board may dismiss, admonish or authorize formal charges. All documents the bar receives are considered public records. Disciplinary history is shown in the Licensee Directory, and records can be requested through the bar's public records portal. Phone: (503) 620-0222 or (800) 452-8260. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | The Oregon Judicial Department's Get Help page points people to Oregon Law Help for free legal information and help finding free or low-cost lawyers, and notes that many courts have family law facilitators who give free information and assistance to self-represented people in family law cases. LSC lists Legal Aid Services of Oregon as its Oregon grantee. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in Oregon · Do I need a lawyer?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.