The cost for DUI defense will depend on the nature of the charges and the place where the offense occurred. For example, if the charge is a first offense DUI with no injuries in Las Vegas Municipal Court, and the accused has no prior criminal history, a DUI defense lawyer may charge as little as $1,000. If the charge is a third offense DUI, with substantial bodily injury or death, you should expect to pay a retainer of at least $5,000 and the lawyer will likely charge by the hour for work done on the case. In general, DUI defense lawyers can charge as little as $1,500 all the way up to tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of dollars depending on the history of the defendant, the nature of the charges and the location of the case.