How Much Will My Defense Cost?

The cost of a criminal defense lawyer can vary significantly depending upon the jurisdiction, and the nature of the charges. A lawyer will typically require a greater retainer for a complex case than for a simple case. The amount of a retainer will also typically increase with the severity of the charge.

In a misdemeanor case, it is not unusual for a lawyer to request a retainer of several thousand dollars. For felony cases, retainers often start at $5,000 - $10,000, and can be $25,000 or more for serious or life felonies. Under the right circumstances, most attorneys will accept payments.

Be wary of lawyers offering to handle your case for a very low fee like $500 or $1000. The old saying that "you get what you pay for" will most likely apply to any lawyer who is willing to represent you for a bargain fee. A lawyer who is willing to take very little money for your case is also going to do very little work on your case. Most of these "bargain" lawyers merely plead their clients guilty at the first opportunity.