What is the cost to hire a criminal defense lawyer?
Anyone facing the possibility of criminal charges will wonder, “How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?” Michigan’s top criminal defense attorneys will consider several factors before quoting a fee.
Your case is unique, and a lawyer should take the time to learn about your situation.
Before quoting legal fees, criminal defense lawyers should consider details relating to the present charge, prior criminal history, and the time and resources needed for a solid, strategic defense. You then decide what’s important to you and how much you will spend on your defense. The cost of hiring a good criminal defense attorney will depend on the lawyer’s experience, track record, reputation, specialization, and more. Some attorneys use “cookie-cutter” style fees where all clients pay the same rate for a particular service regardless of the circumstances, the client’s background, the importance of the outcome, or the facts of the case. The top lawyers take the time to learn about the intricate details of the case and the client before determining a fair fee.
Paying a Flat Fee or an Hourly Rate
How much it costs to hire a criminal defense attorney may depend on two types of fee agreements.
A flat fee is an amount paid regardless of how much time the lawyer spends defending your case. Often, the client pays the fee at the initiation of the contract. This financial arrangement allows immediate work on a client’s case and ensures representation through the matter’s conclusion. One of the advantages of paying a flat attorney fee is that the client knows upfront, with no hidden charges, what it will cost to obtain the most favorable outcome.
An hourly rate may seem attractive because there is a perception that payments might be easier to manage instead of a flat fee. There are many pitfalls, though. The firm’s full resources cannot be dedicated to a client’s case until funds are collected. It should go without saying that a lack of funds means the progress on the case must come to a halt until more money is received. Also, the bill can rack up quickly, and a monthly invoice will have your head spinning with “sticker shock.”
Highly complex matters, usually federal cases, can only be handled hourly because it is impossible to predict the exact time needed. This said, an experienced federal defense attorney should be able to give a prospective client an estimate or range of their potential exposure to attorney fees.
Low-Cost Attorneys or Public Defenders
Low-cost attorneys offer cheap rates for many reasons. Perhaps the attorney is just starting in their practice and needs bargain prices to attract clients. Other lawyers may value quantity over quality, promising a cheap, quick fix. Unfortunately, some attorneys don’t want to work that hard on cases and will charge a nominal fee because, shamefully, their agenda is to put in minimal work.
Public defenders and court-appointed attorneys have relatively large caseloads, and you will not have time to discuss much, if anything, with them before your court hearing. You often won’t have a relationship with the public defender and will not be given the attention you need and deserve. Sometimes, clients may not like their public defender, and switching to a new one is nearly impossible. The only sure way to get the lawyer of your choice is to retain a private attorney.
If you have an appointed lawyer or tried a budget lawyer and you are dissatisfied, you can always switch to a new, retained attorney. You have a 6th Amendment right to the attorney of your choosing. Any judge would want you to have a lawyer you’re comfortable with because it reduces potential arguments on appeal.
Area of Expertise and Reputation
An attorney specializing in a particular area of law means they have exclusively practiced in that specific aspect of law for many years. Hiring a personal injury or family law attorney to defend a client charged with a criminal offense would be unwise and illogical. You want legal counsel who is an expert with your type of charge and its relation to the law and the court system. Hiring a skilled, experienced attorney who charges reasonable legal fees within your budget is best. The Internet and online review websites are reliable methods of checking out the performance and successes of any attorney you consider hiring. Client testimonials give great insight into whether a criminal defense attorney has succeeded or failed with their client’s representation.
The Formula to Help You Decide How Much It Does Cost to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?
There are many options, and selecting an exceptional criminal defense attorney can be difficult. How much does it cost to hire a criminal defense attorney? The real question is, how much will it cost you not to hire a great attorney? The money that you’re spending is for the protection of your rights, freedom, and future.
The Defense Team with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. will consult with you and advise how best to help you. A reasonable flat fee is charged proportionately to your case. You will know the costs for your defense upfront with no surprise charges. There will be constant attention given to your case by highly skilled staff attorneys. Our specialized criminal defense attorneys have decades of experience successfully defending clients with felony and misdemeanor criminal charges. LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. has a strong and positive Internet presence due to multiple glowing client endorsements.
If you want to discuss how much it will cost to hire a criminal defense attorney for your matter, contact the defense team with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C.
Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete an online Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.
We will find a way to help you.
We Are Not Afraid to Win!
