How Much Do Good Criminal Defense Lawyers Cost?

            In other posts, we have focused on questions of how to find a good criminal lawyer and how to select a good criminal lawyer.  In this post, we will focus on the related topic of how much do good, experienced criminal defense lawyers cost.  Of course, you will also then have to consider and determine whether or not you can afford to retain a good criminal defense attorney!

            Before addressing the question of how much a good criminal lawyer may cost, please allow me to make an important point.  First of all, it is important to emphasize that, if you can possibly afford it, you should find and retain an experienced criminal lawyer to defend you in your criminal case.  However, if you cannot afford to hire a criminal lawyer, then you should promptly apply for the court to appoint a lawyer, or public defender, to represent you.  In my opinion, no defendant should ever go to court without legal representation.  As a former state and federal prosecutor for over 26 years, (and currently, as a criminal defense lawyer), I have rarely seen criminal defendants adequately represent themselves in criminal court.  But I have frequently seen pro se defendants, (i.e. representing themselves, without criminal lawyers), cook their own gooses in less than 60 seconds!

            Please also allow me to point out that legal costs often vary from state to state, and even city to city.  As a result, you must contact criminal lawyers in your own jurisdiction, and simply ask around, to see what criminal lawyers charge where you live.  But laying aside these caveats, let’s discuss generally how much you might expect a criminal lawyer might charge you.

            In our community, an experienced criminal defense lawyer might charge anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000 for a misdemeanor charge, such as a D.U.I., theft, or misdemeanor shoplifting case.  For relatively “minor” felony charges, such as felony shoplifting or drug possession, an experienced criminal lawyer might charge anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000.  Finally, for “major” felony charges, you might expect to pay an experienced criminal attorney anywhere between $7,500 and $50,000, or even more, if you face life imprisonment.  For example, in my opinion, if you are charged with murder, kidnapping, or armed robbery, for which you may potentially face life imprisonment, you should expect to have to pay an experienced criminal lawyer at the higher end of the spectrum.  Not only do you, as the defendant, have a lot at stake, but also your criminal attorney will carry a heavy burden, as he or she will have to spend countless hours in preparing your case for trial.  

These estimates are based upon the assumption that you face state criminal charges.  If you face federal criminal charges, then you should expect to pay an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer even more.  Federal criminal charges, such as income tax evasion, mail fraud, firearms offenses, or drug conspiracy, are often more time-consuming and complex than state criminal cases.  As a result, such cases generally carry a higher retainer.  Also, while I am a former federal prosecutor, (for over 20 years), you may find that there aren’t many experienced federal criminal lawyers in your community.

In conclusion, I hope this post at least gives you some idea about how much a good criminal lawyer may cost.  Again, it is important for you to carefully investigate these important matters and to find the best criminal lawyer you can afford to handle your own case!  Your freedom may depend upon it!

This article contributed by By Richard H. Goolsby, Sr., The Goolsby Law Firm, LLC, a criminal defense attorney in Augusta GA

More Criminal Defense

• How Can a Criminal Lawyer Defend a Guilty Person?
• What’s The Difference Between Murder and Voluntary Manslaughter
• How Do I Find a Criminal Lawyer In Georgia?
• How Do I Select A Good Criminal Lawyer?
• What Should I Do If I Face Federal Criminal Charges?
• What Is a Criminal Defense Lawyer
• What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do For You
• The Criminal Defense Lawyer Association
• Selecting a Criminal Defense Lawyer
• Life as a Criminal Defense Lawyer