Hiring a DUI Lawyer in Vermont
What a first DUI can cost in Vermont, 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 Vermont: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under Vermont Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(c), a contingent fee agreement must be in a writing signed by the client stating how the fee is determined, including the percentage(s) for settlement, trial or appeal; litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery; and whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee is calculated. It must clearly notify the client of expenses owed whether or not the client prevails, and at the end the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the remittance and how it was determined. Rule 1.5(d) bars fees in domestic relations matters contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of spousal maintenance, support or property settlement (contingent fees are allowed for collecting post-judgment maintenance, property division or child support arrearages if the court approves the fee agreement as reasonable), and contingent fees for defending a criminal case. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The Professional Responsibility Program does not mediate, arbitrate or resolve fee disputes, though it reviews complaints that a fee is unreasonable. The Vermont Bar Association has a Committee for the Arbitration of Fee Complaints; contact the Vermont Bar Association at 802-223-2020 for how to file. The committee will not review a fee dispute while a complaint is pending with Bar Counsel or Disciplinary Counsel. |
Vermont rules to know first
| First-offense DUI penalties | A first DUI may be punished by a fine of up to $750, up to two years in prison, or both. The court may order an alcohol assessment screening before sentencing. The DMV suspends the license for 90 days (one year if the crash caused a death or serious bodily injury to someone else) and until the person completes the requirements of § 1209a; during the suspension, an eligible person may drive with an ignition interlock restricted license (RDL) or certificate. Source: 23 V.S.A. §§ 1210(a)-(b), 1206 |
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| Refusing a breath test | If a person refuses a test, the Commissioner suspends the license for six months (and until § 1209a requirements are met) based on the officer's affidavit; failing a test brings a 90-day suspension. A second suspension under this civil process is 18 months, and a third or later is for life. In each case an eligible person may drive with an ignition interlock RDL or certificate. Refusing a test is also a crime for a person with a prior DUI conviction or after a crash causing serious injury or death. |
| Hardship license | During DUI-related suspensions (criminal or civil, including lifetime suspensions), an eligible person may drive under an ignition interlock restricted driver's license (RDL) or ignition interlock certificate issued under 23 V.S.A. § 1213. Eligibility rules in § 1213 and any hardship license for points suspensions were not confirmed. Source: 23 V.S.A. §§ 1205, 1206(c) |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Vermont Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service provides referrals at no cost to you; participating attorneys provide up to a 30-minute initial consultation for no more than $25. Call 1-800-639-7036 and give brief information about you and your legal needs, and the service will try to match you with a qualified attorney. People who cannot afford a lawyer will be directed, if possible, to another public service program or human service agency. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Vermont Judiciary (which licenses Vermont attorneys under Administrative Order 41) publishes a list of all attorneys in good standing, showing each attorney's renewal year; licenses expire June 30 of the renewal year listed. A Certificate of Good Standing certifies that an attorney is not suspended or disbarred and is current on licensing fees and CLE. Disciplinary history can be requested free from AttyLicensing@vtcourts.gov. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The Vermont Supreme Court's Professional Responsibility Program reviews complaints that an attorney violated the Rules of Professional Conduct. A complaint must be in writing or by email and should state what the attorney did that should not have been done, or failed to do that should have been done, focusing on facts; send copies, not originals. Email JUD.PRPComplaints@vermont.gov or mail Professional Responsibility Program, 32 Cherry Street, Suite 213, Burlington, VT 05401; questions 802-859-3000. A copy goes to the attorney, and Screening Counsel reviews it and may close it, refer it to Disciplinary Counsel for investigation, or refer it to a non-disciplinary assistance panel. On record checks, the Program discloses only whether a lawyer has ever been reprimanded, suspended, disbarred or formally charged; otherwise it will not confirm or deny that a complaint was filed. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont work together to provide free civil legal help to low-income people who live in Vermont; eligibility depends on income and assets, and they cannot help everyone. Apply or leave a message on the legal helpline at 1-800-889-2047 (Monday 8-1, Tuesday 12:30-7, Wednesday 8-1, Thursday 12:30-7, per the site). The Vermont Judiciary's Access and Resource Center offers free statewide help (not legal advice). LSC lists Legal Services Vermont as its Vermont grantee. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in Vermont · 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.