What is the real impact of a criminal conviction?

A criminal conviction can result in losing your freedom, career, house, family relationships, reputation, professional license, and educational opportunities, affecting your future. A top-notch lawyer is key to turning the tables on the prosecution and obtaining an extraordinary resolution.

Don’t Lose Hope; Your Situation is Not Hopeless.

Depending on the seriousness of the crime you are charged with, the most it will ever cost you is your life. Being convicted of a crime can result in the loss of your freedom. It can also cost your career, house, family relationships, reputation, professional license, and educational opportunities and affect your future. A good lawyer can help you; however, figuring out a fair price for a good Michigan criminal defense lawyer can be scary and confusing.

Ultimately, you compensate a lawyer for their time, experience, reputation, and skill. When LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. is retained to represent a client, our lawyers take the case personally, and we will do whatever it takes to protect and defend our client. That responsibility is one we do not take lightly. Our client’s freedom is often entrusted to our care, and there is no room for error. The only way we can sleep at night is to know that we have done everything possible to ensure the best possible outcome for our clients.

Most people don’t plan to be charged with a crime. Because hiring a defense attorney is generally an unexpected expense, we are committed to making quality legal representation as affordable as possible. Our lawyers handle most of the firm’s cases for a flat fee. In other words, you do not have to worry about being charged by the hour or for every phone call or email. Generally, the firm’s practice is to set a flat amount for the representation in your case in most matters. This gives you the peace of mind that if your situation becomes more complicated than anticipated or drawn out for any reason, you will not be financially drained or left without representation.

What is a free consultation?

A “free consultation” does not mean an opportunity to get free legal advice. Our attorneys get calls from many people every day, asking if we can tell them what they should do or give advice or assistance to their lawyers. We can appreciate that a person charged with a crime will likely be very nervous and want to call our nationally ranked criminal trial lawyers for advice. This being said, the purpose of a consultation is to assess if you will hire a lawyer. It is an opportunity for you to inquire about a lawyer’s experience, defense philosophy, trial record, and knowledge. It is also an opportunity for the lawyer, assuming they are reputable, to assess whether they are the right criminal attorney to help the prospective client.

Should you review all the facts with a lawyer during a free consultation? Probably not. Going over the facts of your case with a lawyer during a free consultation is probably not in anyone’s best interest, and it is likely unnecessary. Once an attorney is retained, they will want a complete history and recitation of the relevant facts. A lawyer can best determine how to help by knowing all the facts. It is also important to point out that the client is frequently unaware of all the “facts.” Although the client may know best what happened, other relevant factors are what allegations are made, what alleged statements are attributed to the client, what police or other law enforcement officers are claiming (often falsely), and much more. The facts don’t determine which lawyer is best; the best, effective Michigan criminal defense lawyers can deal with the facts, no matter what they may be. The key in a consultation is to find the lawyer you feel would best protect you and get you the best possible outcome (whether an amazing plea bargain or an extremely lenient sentence). No matter what the facts of your case are, the lawyer will have to deal with them. A great criminal attorney will get the best outcome possible, whether the facts are great or terrible.

Can a lawyer charge a contingent fee in a criminal case?

Many people charged with a felony or misdemeanor charge often want to find a lawyer who will not charge them unless they “win.” A fee connected with the case’s outcome is called a “contingency fee.” The Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit explicitly entering into an arrangement for charging or collecting a contingency fee in a criminal matter. When you hire a lawyer for representation on a criminal charge, you pay for that person’s time, experience, and reputation. You are not buying an outcome. A lawyer who agrees to accept a “tip” or extra fee in exchange for a promise or guarantee of a particular result is willing to violate the ethical rules governing their profession and should be avoided.

Can a good criminal defense lawyer promise or guarantee a particular result?

If you hear, “I promise you won’t do jail time,” find someone else. Giving a promise or guarantee is unethical and probably illegal. It is a fraud, plain and simple. No lawyer can truthfully guarantee anything, regardless of experience or relationships with judges or prosecutors. If giving a guarantee or a promise is unethical, why do so many criminal attorneys do it? Desperation and greed, plain and simple. When people tell us that another lawyer promises no jail, no prison, no probation, or some other result, our attorneys tell them to get the guarantee in writing. What do you think happens when you ask for such a written guarantee? The lawyer will refuse because they do not want to create evidence of their lie. If a result is a certainty, the lawyer should be willing to put it in writing. They won’t do it; they never do. Giving a promise in exchange for a legal fee is dishonest, unethical, and deceptive. A good criminal defense lawyer who charges a fair price will never offer an unethical guarantee or promise.

Do I need a lawyer from Oakland County, Wayne County, or Macomb County?

Many people charged with a crime feel that they have to hire an Oakland County criminal attorney or one from Wayne or Macomb under the theory that the lawyers in the tri-county area are most experienced and considered the best in Michigan. Considering the number of felony and misdemeanor charges in those areas, the level of legal representation is understandably considered by many to be very high caliber. It is not necessarily the case that a lawyer in another part of the state may not be an excellent attorney. The attorney who will attain the best possible resolution in a case is NOT a local lawyer; it is the best lawyer! Throughout Michigan, judges and prosecutors know the great, respected attorneys regardless of where their office is located. The top criminal lawyers in Michigan routinely practice in courts throughout the state.

“So, how much is a fair fee for a good criminal defense lawyer?”

What is a fair price for a very good criminal defense lawyer? The answer is, “it depends.” Many lawyers advertise a set flat fee for all kinds of cases, including criminal, bankruptcy, wills, trusts, bankruptcy, and more. Frankly, this is a sign of a desperate lawyer who cares more about increasing the number of their cases rather than the quality of representation or the results obtained. This is a terrible sign for the client who enters into a lawyer/client relationship with one of these restaurant menu-style lawyers. For example, a client with an OWI may want a fair plea bargain and a lenient sentence. Alternatively, a person charged with OWI may have been stopped illegally, tested by a noncertified Intoxilyzer 9000 operator, and not given Miranda warnings. The first prospective client’s case will be far less time-consuming, and the second potential client’s case is far more complex. What if a lawyer who promises to handle all OWI or DUI cases gets retained by these two clients? The first client will be overcharged in legal fees, and the second client will get sold out because the lawyer will probably be dishonest and claim that the case should not be fought.

A lawyer should be willing to meet with you in person and discuss your case with you in sufficient detail to determine how much work the case will require and structure a fair and reasonable fee. Lawyers who routinely quote prices on the telephone should frequently be avoided because it is not a good sign that they are willing to fully consider what it will take to achieve the best possible outcome. A fair price for an excellent criminal defense lawyer depends on the situation, and an attorney should be willing to take the time to talk things through with you.

Does a fair price for a good criminal defense lawyer usually include a payment plan?

Many lawyers will offer a payment plan of some type. Some lawyers agree to accept monthly or weekly payments, and some lawyers will take a retainer (an amount required to initiate legal services) and then work out a payment plan for the balance of the fees. Unfortunately for those with minimal resources, the busiest, most successful criminal defense lawyers might have limited payment plan options. It doesn’t hurt or cost anything to ask, so when you have an initial consultation, inquire about payment methods and whether a payment plan is available. The availability of a payment plan might factor in when you are considering a fair price for a good criminal defense lawyer.

The bottom line: Getting a good criminal defense lawyer at a fair price is possible.

The bottom line is that if you or your loved one is charged with a felony, misdemeanor, or an allegation of criminal activity, you want the best possible Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer you can get. Most times in life, you get what you pay for. A court-appointed attorney is low-cost and frequently forced to make a living based on quantity rather than quality. This goes for “Yellow Page Lawyers,” “Plea Lawyers,” and lawyers who charge one-size-fits-all legal fees. The bottom line is to try to find a great lawyer and meet with them to see if you can find a way to afford their services. Although the investment in a great attorney can be steep, it is often the best investment a person can make.

What is your future, life, family, job, and reputation worth? What will it cost you to be represented by a lawyer who fails to achieve the result you deserve or is unsuccessful in attaining the best possible outcome? Too much. What is the value of having someone by your side who has the ability, experience, and aggressiveness to protect you? Priceless.

If you call the good, affordable criminal defense lawyers with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C., we will take the time to speak with you, answer your questions, and work with you to develop a winning strategy. We are always fair with our legal fees and will do everything possible to determine a fair price within your budget.

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.