Sure, why not? The American free market system is based on competition and being able to shop prices. Just as with anything, if it's possible to get the same exact item for a cheaper price, then it's a no brainer, right?

Well, not necessarily with regards to DUI lawyers. First, let's note that DUI attorneys, or any criminal defense lawyer for that matter, cannot accept a fee agreement with a client that is contingency based. Meaning, your drunk driving lawyer cannot agree to represent you and charge a fee that is based on the outcome of the prosecution against you. DUI lawyers will charge either an hourly rate to defend you or a flat fee based on the services needed.

The first question you must ask yourself if you're thinking about shopping DUI lawyer fees is whether you have time to do so. Once an arrest is made for operating while intoxicated, things start to move very fast and to protect your legal interests or those of someone you know or are related to, it will be vital to contact or retain a good DUI lawyer as soon as possible -- preferably the same day or night of the arrest. If you decide to start researching Michigan DUI attorneys and inquire about legal fees after you or someone you know is arrested for operating while intoxicated, valuable time may be wasted and you might hurt your own defense by doing something a good drunk driving lawyer would have advised you not to do. However, just like lining up a good mechanic or handyman to be able to contact when something goes wrong with your car or house, it's not a bad idea to start researching Michigan DUI lawyers now. It can't hurt.

The second question you need to ask yourself is whether you're willing to sacrifice your legal defense for potential and minimal cost savings. Attorney fees will vary, but generally the big differences will be based on attorney experience and expertise. For example, an attorney just two years removed from law school with his or her own law firm may not charge as much because he or she is still trying to drum up business and knows that if he or she charges the same amount as a much more experienced attorney, there won't be any business coming through the doors. Or take the general practitioner, someone who does a little of this and a little of that -- a jack of many trades, but expert of none. With this type of attorney you might be able to reduce your legal fees. But if you are targeting your search to expert DUI attorneys in Michigan, then for the most part, the legal fees will be in the same ballpark. At that point, legal fees shouldn't be your biggest priority, rather, you will want to narrow your selection down to the expert Michigan DUI attorney that you feel comfortable with.

You will not be able to truly compare legal fees because it's impossible to compare one drunk driving lawyer to another. So the best strategy is to go for quality, not cost when shopping for an expert DUI lawyer. Remember, generally an expert DUI lawyer will represent your best chance to avoid a guilty conviction for operating while intoxicated offenses.