Three Key Factors to Determine Criminal Attorney Fees

09 Feb Three Key Factors to Determine Criminal Attorney Fees

We are often asked how does a law office decide criminal attorney fees? If you have ever dealt with more than one lawyer in your life, you already know the answer to this question: because every case is different!

Below are three key factors that affect criminal attorney fees:

1. The Number and Severity of the Criminal Charges
Most people understand that hiring a criminal defense lawye-r for representation in a DUI is much cheaper than hiring representation for First Degree Murder. The more severe the charge, the more likely it is that your criminal attorney fee will be higher. Additionally, if there are multiple charges, the fee will likely be higher.

2. The Complexity of the Criminal Case
A criminal attorney fee may be higher or lower depending on the complexity of the case. For example, a shoplifting charge won’t require a lot of witnesses or medical experts, but a DUI charge might need an expert witness on blood alcohol. Cases that make the news are often more complex and require much higher fees. The more complex the case, the more likely it is that your criminal attorney fee will be higher.

3. The Experience of the Criminal Defense Attorney
As one attorney noted: you don’t pay a gunslinger by the bullet— you pay him for his gun. Frequently, it is the reputation, skill, and knowledge of an experienced criminal defense lawyer that turns a bad situation into a good outcome. More experienced attorneys often demand higher fees.

There are other considerations as well, including the location of the case, whether an attorney will have to travel, the number of anticipated court appearances, the number of witnesses, etc.

At our office, we have tried over forty jury trials and have successfully negotiated thousands of cases. We have also handled dozens of high profile cases in the media. If you have any questions and need to speak to an experienced criminal defense lawyer, feel free to call our office.

High profile cases, which are often front page news, are much more complex and often require higher fees.