Introduction
If you are looking for a “criminal defense lawyer near me,” it’s natural that you would look at the cost, among other things, before you hire one. The cost of a criminal defense lawyer relies on the nature and seriousness of the crime. There are various levels of criminal offenses, each of which comes at a different price. Other criteria your attorney’s bill could differ are based on experience, location, and complexity of the case. It would be best if you did your research before you hire an attorney.
Tips for hiring a good Lawyer
This article intends to discuss costs, but it’s also essential to understand how to hire a lawyer before you start paying them.
- Local: Depending on your country or state, get a local attorney who knows the region’s laws. You could be disadvantaged if you hire a lawyer who makes tall claims but has little to no knowledge of the state laws where the crime has occurred.
- Check the reviews: In today’s digital world, possessing a website (unlike a decade ago) is proof of business. When you get a review from a customer, it means you are professionally viable. It would be great if you could hire a lawyer referred by friends or family. Do not hire attorneys or firms with negligible or negative reviews.
- Family friends are not good lawyers: When entangled in a criminal case, hire a professional attorney who knows the nuances of criminal offenses and how to fight for you. Hiring a family friend only spells disaster because, more often, you are too informal and unable to reap the best out of the relationship.
As mentioned before, rates can be different for different cases. Here are some generic instances and costs to give you a basic benchmark of your expenses.
Charges for Misdemeanors
The degree of the punishment or penalty decides the type of crimes classified by states as felonies, misdemeanors, and infarctions. The least serious offenses, however, only carry a small fine. Felonies rule the roost, followed by misdemeanors. Under the federal code, you get a jail sentence or pay a penalty.
Some jurisdictions have misdemeanor punishments of up to 2 to 3 years in jail, and the maximum sentence awarded is about a year. Once a crime is severe enough to warrant at least a year in prison, it’s a felony. Well, then, how much does a criminal defense lawyer cost for a misdemeanor? Anywhere between $2,500 to $8,000, on a national level average.
Drug possessions
It is deemed illegal when caught possessing LSD, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, or other restricted narcotics. Typically, the two groups of offenses are simple possession and possession with an intent to distribute. In a simple possession, you hold drugs on you for personal consumption when you intend to sell those; it’s called possession with an intent to distribute. The latter category generally invites harsher punishments to discourage drug peddling. Prosecutors may also utilize witness testimonies as evidence alongside a sizable sum of money and a substantial volume of drugs, all of which are proof of intent to sell.
So, how much would a criminal defense attorney charge for drug possession cases? Anywhere between $3,000 and $10,000.
Assault
There are specific differences between the words assault and battery, but states sometimes tend to combine the two. Both these terms can result in a single charge of assault. They involve damaging physical contact with the victims. Attempting to hit or injure someone or simply threaten them is a charge of assault and battery.
The costs of hiring a criminal defense lawyer in these cases typically range from $5,000 to $10,000, depending upon the nature of the assault and the severity of the injuries.
Domestic Violence
Everyone fears attacks, especially in their own homes. Despite the awareness, accusations of domestic abuse may not necessarily be true. The Office of Violence Against Women defines such crimes as an attempt by a spouse in a close relationship to control the other by injuring them. Abuse falls under eight main categories:
- Threats
- Psychological
- Physical
- Emotional
- Economic
- Sexual
- Cyberstalking
- Stalking
Domestic abuse may occur in wider brackets in relationships other than a marriage. Certain key groups are potential victims, such as young children, romantic partners, intimate relationships, family members, and roommates. A criminal defense lawyer charges between $3,500 to $15,000 in such cases.
Criminal Trials
In a trial, the prosecution and the defense each present their own versions of the case to a sitting jury, which then decides whether to sentence the person as guilty or release them as innocent. The prosecution’s objective is to establish the crime committed using evidence and the presentation of witnesses. On the other hand, the defense exonerates the individual on all charges and pleads not guilty, leading to acquittal. This also requires the presentation of evidence and witnesses. Generally, a trial by a defense lawyer can be more than $20,000, including an additional $2,000 per day of trial costs and fees with 40 hours of preparation.
Court Appearance
Get ready to appear in court several times when accused of a crime. Decisions regarding the case are made in the presence of a judge in a courtroom. Typically, the cost of a court appearance is included in the entire defense. Misdemeanor defenses cost between $2,500 and $8,000, while felony costs $10,000 to $20,000.
Do not purchase legal services solely based on pricing.
The expense of a representation can be overwhelming, which is why you will try to cut down on lawyer fees. However, skilled professional attorneys are expensive, and choosing the cheapest services may not achieve the desired results. Discount lawyers assert that they are exceedingly effective, so charge less while you get the same quality as high-priced attorneys.
You can also choose a public defender and skip the expensive private representation. However, you may want to know that personal lawyers offer far more time and space for your case. This is because they handle only up to 10% of the cases that public defenders represent.
Conclusion
Although it is crucial to consider your budget, remember that all lawyers are not made equal. Choosing a cheap attorney only means shorter case work times and, of course, may end up badly for you. Better results are obtained by hiring a criminal defense lawyer who is committed to your case and might charge a little more. In this case, you can visit frlawgreenville.com for proper representation without a hefty fee.
