If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense, you may feel overwhelmed by all the implications of the charges. According to Leverson Budke, the total fee for a criminal lawyer can be between $1000 to $10,000, while hourly rates can be $150 to $500 per hour. These amounts may lead you to wonder how to finance that fee. Here is some information you may need to know regarding criminal lawyer fees:
Criminal Attorneys Understand Your Charges
A criminal attorney is knowledgeable about the laws in your state regarding criminal charges. One example might be a charge of embezzlement, considered a white-collar (non-violent) crime. This type of charge would be made against someone who was placed in charge of some money and then used that money in an unauthorized way. These charges can have many implications for your future, so you’ll need a lawyer to help you.
Criminal Cases Can Become Complex
A skilled attorney would know that if you are involved in a front-end collision and charged with vehicular manslaughter, there would have to be evidence you were driving irresponsibly. However, your attorney may be able to blame a feature inside the victim’s car. After all, according to the Auto Glass Safety Council, in a front-end collision, the windshield serves as over 40% of that car’s structural safety. Furthermore, if the accident is a rollover, the windshield is meant to provide 60% of its ability to shield passengers.
Criminal Attorney Payments by Flat Fee
One of the common ways a lawyer may ask to be paid is by a flat fee. According to the New York Criminal Lawyer, a flat fee is a fixed amount that a lawyer will quote you at the beginning of the case. The website estimates these charges could range from $2000 to $10,000. The flat fee amount will depend on the severity of the crime and on whether the case must go to court.
Criminal Attorney Payments by Hourly Fee
Many lawyers prefer to be paid by the hour, and they often bill their clients in 15-minute increments. Hourly rates are usually preferred when the nature of the case is so complex that the attorney can’t precisely estimate a flat fee. These fees can be increased by the experience and notoriety a lawyer has. According to Canterbury Law Group, a criminal lawyer with many years of experience can ask for $250 to $750 per hour.
Attorney Payments by Contingency Fee
Although criminal lawyers cannot charge a contingency fee, you may hear the term used and be curious about its meaning. According to the American Bar Association, a contingency fee is used when a lawyer agrees to be paid a specific percentage of the amount to you if you win the case. The same website cites one-third of the percentage of the case award as a typical contingency amount. As you may understand, this wouldn’t be practical in a criminal case since there is no monetary award.
Choosing a Public Defender
People who can’t afford an attorney will be provided with the help of a public defender. These lawyers will defend you for a lower fee or no cost. To qualify for a public defender, you must prove you cannot afford an attorney’s fee. The court is responsible for checking your assets to verify your inability to pay the fee.
Selecting the right lawyer can be challenging since the legal stakes are so high. However, when interviewing prospective lawyers, you can ask if they have had experience in the case you are charged with. If the case is likely to go to court, look for an attorney with experience trying cases in court. Be sure you feel confident with your chosen lawyer since you’ll trust them to secure your freedom.