Whether the charges are minor or severe, there are consequences. Consequences may include fines, prison time, loss of employment and a criminal record. Therefore, hiring a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense attorney for the best outcome for your circumstances is in your best interests. If you can’t afford to hire an attorney on your own, you are entitled to a court-appointed one, according to the Constitution. But, if the court decides that you can afford one, you’ll have to hire one to represent you. Criminal defense lawyer fees vary depending on a variety of factors. Those factors include the complexity of the legal issue, the severity of the charges, the notoriety of the defense attorney and whether or not your case goes to trial. That’s why it’s very important to discuss the lawyer’s fees before entering into a written contract with one. 

The Role of a Criminal Defense Attorney

When a criminal offense has been charged against you, there may be penalties, such as jail time or a fine. Even if you are under arrest for suspicion of a crime, it’s best to talk with an experienced lawyer before talking to anyone. An experienced criminal defense lawyer will walk you through the entire legal process and help develop a criminal defense to fight the charges brought against you. 

If you’re talking to a criminal defense lawyer, it’s likely that you’ve already been booked and are in police custody. You’ll be given a chance to post bail before an arraignment. During the arraignment, you’ll be asked to enter a plea. If there is no plea bargain, a hearing will be scheduled where the judge will decide whether or not there is sufficient evidence to charge you with a crime.

Without a doubt, the criminal legal process is complex. Often, a criminal defense lawyer will charge you based on an agreed flat or hourly fee. You’ll also be charged for court, investigator, and expert witness fees. 

How Much Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Cost?

As mentioned above, you’ll be charged investigator and expert witness fees. For example, if an expert is needed for chemical testing in a DUI case, you have to pay for that. Any expert or investigator can charge around $300 per hour. Some experts even require a retainer fee of $2,000.

Criminal defense attorney’s fees will vary based upon:

• The experience of the attorney
• The seriousness of the offense
• The amount of time spent in the discovery process
• The delegation to paralegals and law clerks
• The skill of the attorney

Flat Fee or Hourly Fee

No two criminal cases are alike. Some attorneys may charge a flat fee, and others may charge an hourly fee. For example, for a simple misdemeanour, the flat fee may range from about $1,000 to $3,000. Cases involving speeding tickets are typically charged a flat fee. 

Most attorneys charge an hourly fee. Therefore, you can expect to pay a criminal defence attorney from $150 to $700 per hour. With an hourly fee structure, the legal bills can tally up quickly. It’s common to tally up to $10,000 to $15,000 in legal bills for an attorney’s time. 

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Whether or not to represent yourself or to hire a criminal defense lawyer is a personal choice. Just keep in mind that the criminal procedure process is complex, and it just may be better to hire an attorney. On the other hand, there isn’t a criminal defense attorney on the planet who would recommend that anyone represent themselves. 

If you’ve been arrested under suspicion of committing a crime or charged with a crime, you should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. An experienced criminal defense attorney will guide you through the process and help defend you in court. You’ll have a partner and support throughout the entire criminal process with an attorney. If you’ve been charged with a crime, turn for help from the Panella Law Firm. They have successfully represented clients for assault and battery, DUI, murder and criminal appeals. They will develop a strong criminal defense strategy and protect your freedom.

Being charged with a crime is a serious matter. There’s a lot at stake if you’re convicted. You can’t put a price on freedom or a good reputation. Contact the Panella Law Firm for the best outcome for your case. They’ve helped hundreds of other clients and can help you, too. Don’t go it alone if you’ve been charged with a crime. It’s just too risky.