Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer Directory

  • Home
  • Credentials Matter
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
    • Automobile Accident
    • Car Accident
    • Workers Compensation
    • Wrongful Death
    • Cruise Accident
    • Slip & Fall
    • Uber Accident
  • Blog
  • Contact an Attorney

November 24, 2019 by MatadorAdmin

Costs of Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney

Depending on your situation, it may not be necessary for you to pay for the services of a defense attorney when you are charged with a crime. The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives you the right to representation by a court-appointed attorney at the government’s expense if you cannot afford a lawyer on your own and there is a possibility of incarceration with conviction.

However, if the court determines that you are capable of hiring your own lawyer, you have some important decisions to make. Hiring a defense attorney is expensive, but with the stakes being so high, it could be a worthwhile expenditure. Nevertheless, you do not want to end up hiring an attorney whom you cannot afford. Therefore, it is important to understand the costs and billing arrangements involved. Most attorneys should be willing to discuss these matters with you beforehand. Do not hire a lawyer who is not, as you are likely to receive poor service from him or her.

Billing Arrangements

There are many ways that an attorney can bill a client for their services. A criminal defense attorney, like a criminal defense attorney in San Francisco, CA, will usually charge either a fixed fee or an hourly rate. A fixed fee applies to all cases of the same type that the lawyer handles. It stays the same regardless of how much time the attorney spends working on the case. A fixed fee can be good for you in that you know going into it how much the lawyer’s services are going to cost. However, you should be sure that you understand what is or is not included in the agreement before hiring.

It is more common for a defense attorney to charge an hourly rate. The rate per hour can vary based on a number of factors including geography, the complexity of the case, and the experience of the attorney. An attorney who charges an hourly rate may also ask for a retainer, which is sort of a down payment on the attorney’s services that you pay upfront. If an attorney charges by the hour, ask if he or she divides it into increments of six minutes or 15 minutes. The latter could end up costing you more money.

Additional Fees

There will often be additional expenses that you need to pay your attorney in addition to a fixed fee or hourly rate. These include photocopying fees, travel expenses, and paralegal hourly fees. You may have to pay fees for the services of a private investigator or an expert witness if your attorney engages the services of either.

An attorney may not know exactly how much the case is going to cost beforehand. Nevertheless, it is entirely appropriate for you to ask for a ballpark figure. Most attorneys would be happy to discuss their terms and fees with you when you contact their office.

Thanks to The Morales Law Firm for their insight into the costs of hiring a criminal defense attorney. 

Filed Under: LA Personal Injury Law

Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyers

  • Home
  • Credentials Matter
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
    • Automobile Accident
    • Car Accident
    • Workers Compensation
    • Wrongful Death
    • Cruise Accident
    • Slip & Fall
    • Uber Accident
  • Blog
  • Contact an Attorney

L.A. Personal Injury Resources

LA Car Accident Lawyers
Automobile Accident Lawyer LA
Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer
Los Angeles Automobile Accident Attorney
Car Accident Lawyer Los Angeles
Los Angeles Workers Compensation Attorney
Los Angeles Wrongful Death Attorney
Los Angeles Slip & Fall Lawyer
Uber Accident Lawyer Los Angeles
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Woodland Hills CA
Truck Accident Lawyer Woodland Hills CA
Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorneys

Other Resources

Hot Legal Tips
Dog Bite lawyer Denver CO
Cruise Accident Lawyers LA
Drug Possession Lawyer Llano, TX
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Atlanta GA
Car Accident Lawyer Los Angeles CA

Contact an Attorney

Contact an attorney from one of Los Angeles' premier personal injury law firms.

Free Case Evaluation

No Legal Advice Intended. This website includes general information about legal issues and law practices. Such materials are for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice or counsel. Information may not reflect current legal standards. For legal advice specific to your needs, contact an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. Do not rely on any statement on this website for any reason whatsoever. Furthermore, the information contained in this website is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice or representation. Your review or use of this web site, its information and links does not create an attorney-client relationship or an attorney-client privilege between this law firm and you. Statements made to this firm before the formation of an attorney-client relationship may not be privileged and confidential.


Other Resources
American Bar Association | The American Lawyer | National Lawyers Association | Lawyers Without Borders | American College of Trial Lawyers | American Bar Association | National Association of Women Lawyers | Lawyers Associated Worldwide | Car Accident Lawyer DC | DC Personal Injury Lawyer | Elizabeth, NJ Workers Comp Attorney


© COPYRIGHT 2023 LOS ANGELES PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS | POWERED BY SEO Marketing For Attorneys