Introduction: Transparent, Trusted, Tailored Legal Representation
At Tiftickjian Law Firm, P.C., we believe that clear communication and predictable pricing are essential to delivering exceptional legal services. Facing a DUI charge in Colorado is a stressful and often overwhelming experience. The last thing you need is confusion about how legal fees work or uncertainty about what services are included. That’s why our firm utilizes a structured, flat-fee system that is transparent, fair, and tailored to your unique case.
This guide explains how our DUI defense fee structure works, including how we break legal representation into two clear phases, what the fees cover, how out-of-pocket expenses are handled, and what options are available for payment and financing.
Overview of Our Flat-Fee System
The cost of legal representation for a DUI case in Colorado varies based on what county the case is pending in, what the charges are, whether you have prior DUI cases or convictions, and whether there was an accident involved.
Our legal fees are structured as flat fees, not hourly billing. This means you will never be surprised by a legal bill based on time spent. Instead, we charge a fixed amount for each phase of representation. The structure is straightforward:
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Phase One: Pretrial Representation
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Phase Two: Trial Preparation and Trial
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Out-of-Pocket Costs: Additional expenses billed monthly
Flat fees provide clarity and stability for clients while allowing our attorneys to devote their energy to defending your case—not tracking hours.
Phase One – Pretrial Representation: Flat Fee
Phase One begins upon retention and covers all work necessary to investigate, evaluate, and litigate your DUI case through the pretrial stage. This includes:
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Reviewing and analyzing police reports, breath/blood test records, and videos
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Filing legal motions and requesting evidence from the prosecution
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Attending all court appearances and the potential DMV hearing related to the DUI case
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Communicating directly with you and the district attorney prosecuting your case
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Advising you regarding plea negotiations, defenses, and possible resolutions
Importantly, if your case is resolved before trial—either by dismissal or plea—this is the only fee you will owe for legal representation, excluding out-of-pocket expenses.
When is Phase One Due?
The retainer for Phase One is due in full upon signing the legal agreement. Payment must be made before we officially begin legal representation.
Phase Two – Trial Preparation and Trial: Flat Fee
If your case proceeds to trial, a second phase of representation is triggered. Phase Two includes:
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Strategic trial preparation and witness coordination
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Drafting jury instructions and evidentiary motions
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Courtroom representation through trial, verdict, and post-trial matters
The Phase Two fee only applies if and when the case is set for trial after a not-guilty plea is entered.
When is Phase Two Due?
The trial fee is due 60 days before your first trial setting.
We do not charge this fee upfront—only if your case progresses to the trial phase.
Why We Use a Two-Phase Structure
We’ve implemented this two-phase structure to provide fairness and predictability. In most DUI cases, resolution occurs during the pretrial phase, which allows many clients to avoid trial altogether. By separating trial fees from pretrial fees, we ensure that you do not pay for services that may never be required.
This approach also encourages early resolution when appropriate. It also allows you to make informed financial decisions about trial and provides you with transparent benchmarks for each phase. This is part of our commitment to ethical and efficient legal representation.
How the Flat Fee Is Earned – Our Milestone Billing Benchmarks
While your flat fee is paid upfront and held in trust, our firm only “earns” the fee based on specific benchmarks. These benchmarks are clearly defined in your legal agreement and include:
What’s Not Included – Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Separate from attorney fees, some cases require additional out-of-pocket costs. These expenses are billed monthly and may include:
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Discovery copying charges
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Court filing fees and transcript fees
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Subpoena service (witnesses or law enforcement)
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Record searches or background checks
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Re-testing blood samples or hiring a forensic toxicologist
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Expert witness consultation and trial testimony
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Private investigator services, if recommended
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Certified mail, professional couriers, or image reproduction
We will always communicate with you before incurring significant costs. If an expert or consultant is deemed important to your case, but you choose not to authorize the expense, we will respect your decision—but it may affect our ability to present certain defenses.
Payment Methods and Financing Options
We strive to make our payment process as accessible and flexible as possible. We accept:
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Credit or debit cards
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E-checks and electronic funds transfers
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Cash or checks
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Money orders or wire transfers
You may also apply for payment financing through Affirm, a third-party provider. Please note that financing is subject to credit approval by Affirm and is not administered by our firm.
To pay or apply for financing:
Visit our secure online payment portal at:
https://secure.lawpay.com/pages/thetiftickjianlawfirm/trust
Wire transfer instructions are available upon request.
When Legal Fees May Be Renegotiated
In rare situations, the nature of your case may change significantly after you hire us. Examples include:
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The district attorney upgrades your charges from a misdemeanor DUI to a felony vehicular assault
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You did not disclose prior DUI convictions, which dramatically affect sentencing exposure
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New evidence is discovered that adds complexity or requires extensive additional litigation
In these scenarios, we may need to renegotiate our fee agreement or, in rare cases, decline to continue representation.
What Happens if You Miss Court or Stop Paying
Our firm is committed to representing you with diligence and professionalism—but we expect the same from our clients.
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Failure to Appear: If you miss a court hearing without a valid emergency, you may be charged additional time based on our hourly rate.
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Nonpayment: If payment obligations are not met, we reserve the right to withdraw as counsel. Unpaid balances accrue interest after 60 days (1.5% per month).
Court Costs, Fines, and Driver’s License Issues
Please note that our legal fees do not cover:
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Court-ordered fines or surcharges
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Restitution to victims, if applicable
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Probation supervision costs or class fees
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DMV reinstatement or interlock device fees
These are your responsibility and vary depending on the outcome of your case.
What Our Representation Does Not Include
We focus exclusively on defending the DUI case and its related DMV hearing. Representation does not include:
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Appeals of DMV rulings or court verdicts
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Civil lawsuits (e.g., personal injury claims)
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Immigration, employment, or professional licensing matters
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Independent new criminal charges
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Probation revocation proceedings after the case is closed
If you later need assistance with these issues, a separate agreement must be signed.
End of Representation and File Retention
Representation ends at the conclusion of your criminal court case—dismissal, sentencing, deferred judgment, or acquittal. After that point:
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The court officially removes our firm as your legal counsel
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We will no longer receive notices on your behalf
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Any post-sentencing issues will not be handled unless a new agreement is signed
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Your file will be securely retained for at least seven years, unless otherwise requested
Our Commitment to You
We know that retaining legal counsel is a significant investment. When you hire Tiftickjian Law Firm, P.C., you are not only securing over two decades of DUI defense experience—you are hiring a team that prioritizes professionalism, preparation, and results.
Jay Tiftickjian, the firm’s founder, has been voted “Best DUI Lawyer” by the people of Colorado for over a decade and is the author of Colorado DUI Defense: The Law and Practice, the go-to legal treatise used by attorneys and judges statewide.
We appreciate the trust you place in our firm and look forward to guiding you through this process with clarity, compassion, and confidence.