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People often inquire about the price of something before they decide to purchase it. That’s especially true when something is more expensive. You take the time to really consider the price of a car compared to a hamburger. Therefore, it makes sense that you would want to understand the cost of a criminal defense lawyer before deciding to hire one. However, just considering the cost would be rash. It’s important to first consider what it is you are paying for when you hire a criminal defense lawyer. The truth is, it’s not possible to say exactly what a lawyer will cost because it’s different for different lawyers. First, you will want to consider what you are looking for in a criminal defense lawyer and balance that against the costs of that attorney.
The job of a criminal defense lawyer is to represent and advise you through the legal process. They can help you with several different matters, including:
There are a few different things you may want to look for in a criminal defense lawyer, including:
There are a few different factors that determine how much a criminal defense attorney is going to cost. Some of the cost factors include:
In representing you, a criminal defense lawyer needs to have several critical skills. First, they must be able to conduct a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the alleged crime. They must also anticipate the arguments that the prosecution will make and prepare a defense for them. The prosecution needs to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It’s the job of a criminal defense lawyer to try to instill in the jury that doubt.
In some cases, for more straightforward charges or situations, a lawyer may choose to offer a flat fee to handle the case. More often, though, lawyers charge an hourly rate because there can be a lot of variability as to how much time investment will be necessary. A lawyer who works on an hourly rate may often require a retainer fee to be paid before they agree to the case. This is a fee that covers a certain number of hours worked on the case. For any time after that, the hourly rate will be charged.
Every lawyer takes payments in whatever manner they are comfortable with. For some, this means getting an upfront payment of an entire flat fee. Others may want an upfront rate and the rest paid later. Payment plans are an option offered by some attorneys. There are also those who will want a retainer up front and an hourly rate from that point onward.
According to the U.S. Constitution, you have the right to be provided with a defense attorney in your criminal case free of charge if you cannot afford one. However, as with everything in life, the things that you pay for tend to be better than something that’s free. Public defenders are usually overworked and cannot fully devote themselves to your case. If you can find a way to raise the funds, hiring your own lawyer can give you a much better chance of winning your case.
When you hire your lawyer, you get to choose who defends you. Given the potential consequences of criminal charges, you need to fully trust whoever is representing you. If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges and looking for a legal team that you can depend on, contact Miller North & Brill today.
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