The Major Charges of a Criminal Defense Lawyer
In criminal cases, you have a constitutional right to a criminal defense attorney. An attorney for you will be appointed by the court if you can't afford to hire one yourself if the court finds that you can afford an attorney based on your assets and income, you have the option of representing yourself or hiring a private criminal lawyer.
Which Factors Affect the Costs of Criminal Defense?
If you're looking at the total cost of a criminal case, there are a lot of variables to take into account.
Inquisitors and Experts – In many criminal cases, there are a number of issues that necessitate the assistance of expert witnesses and investigators. Chemical testing experts can be hired by a defense attorney to explain a DUI's Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) test results to the jury. If the defendant wishes to raise a defense of legal insanity, a psychologist may be needed. The average retainer fee for expert witnesses and investigators is $2,500, and they may charge more than $300 per hour.
For a variety of reasons, the cost of a lawyer's services can vary greatly. In determining an attorney's fee, the following are some of the most significant considerations:
There Is a Possibility That the Case Will Be Tried
It's important to know whether or not the attorney charges a flat fee or by the hour.
The lawyer's ability to represent you.
How long the attorney has been practicing criminal law.
An offense's seriousness is taken into account.
The legal complexities of the case.
An attorney's track record of success in criminal proceedings in the jurisdiction where he or she practices.
Do Flat-Fee Lawyers Charge More or Less?
If your lawyer charges a flat rate for a misdemeanor case, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500. If you decide to take your case to trial, you can expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 in legal fees. If the charge is a felony, and the lawyer believes he can get a favorable settlement, the flat fee could be anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000. Flat fee costs of $10,000 to $20,000 are not unheard of if a felony trial seems inevitable. To hire a criminal lawyer on a flat fee, you can expect to pay up to $40,000 for the most serious criminal charges, such as murder.
Get in touch with Foshee and Yaffe Attorneys at Law to consult with our affordable criminal defense attorneys and negotiate with their charges.
**Disclaimer: This content is not to be construed as legal advice nor does it establish terms of a client-attorney relationship.