Law Office of Michael L. Fell
900 Roosevelt Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 585-9055

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney? Learn What Factors Affect the Answer

As you search out the best criminal defense attorney, there are several factors you will be considering. One of those factors is likely to be cost. In fact, at Law Office of Michael L. Fell one of the most commonly asked questions we are asked is how much it costs to hire a defense attorney. The answer is not as simple as you may think. Keep reading to find out what affects the cost of an attorney and then contact us at (949) 585-9055 if you would like a free legal consultation.

Factors that Affect How Much an Attorney Charges

First, let us consider the major factors that affect how much an attorney will charge for their services. This includes how complex the case is. For example, an attorney is likely to charge more for a felony case than a misdemeanor because the felony likely requires more court appearances and require more preparation.

The level of experience an attorney has will also affect their rate. As is true in most professions, the more experienced an attorney is, the more valuable their work generally is. This can work out in your behavior as a more experienced attorney may be able to resolve the case quicker, which could cost less overall.

Finally, geography will play a role. Living in Southern California, you are no stranger to the fact that many professional services cost more here than they would in a place like Iowa. This is due to the higher cost of office space, gas, staffing, etc.

Hourly vs Case Billing

There are two main ways an attorney may bill. Hourly billing involves an hourly fee for the hours an attorney actually spends working on their case. This is great for the client if the case ends up concluding quickly but it can be expensive if the case gets complicated and carries on for many months.

Case billing is a fixed fee option in which the lawyer sets up a specific fee for the charge. This is generally only done in fairly cut and dry cases, such as drunk driving cases. The advantage to this option is that you will know upfront what you are paying. The downside is that the case billing often only covers pre-trail actions.

Call Now to Find Out How Much You Will Pay to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with a criminal charge and need to know how much it will cost you to hire a qualified attorney, we recommend contacting Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 as soon as possible. We will give you the facts about our fees and what you can expect. We can also go over your case to offer defense options. Call now to get the answers you need.