What is the Cost of Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Orange County?

Posted on: August 14th, 2024 by Dod Law

The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Orange County varies depending on the nature and length of your case. An attorney’s legal fees can cover the cost of your court appearance, an investigator’s evidence assessment, and plea bargaining. 

You can discuss how much the representation you need may cost when you meet with a criminal defense lawyer for a private defense assessment. Meeting with an attorney does not commit you to their services but instead allows you to determine whether or not their services can help you protect your future. Reach out to Dod Law to learn more about how we can help you with your case.

Why Don’t Criminal Defense Lawyers Work On Contingency?

Personal injury lawyers can work on contingency to the benefit of their clients. Contingency fee agreements allow clients to pay lawyers part of their final settlement, sparing their savings. Most personal injury lawyers outline their contingency fees in advance, taking anywhere between 20-45% of a final settlement.

This is not how criminal defense attorneys get paid. It is unethical for a criminal defense attorney to work on contingency under the Bar. Instead, criminal defense attorneys must either set their fees in advance, work on salary, or request an hourly rate. 

How Can You Pay a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

The way a criminal defense attorney gets paid for their services depends on several factors, including their experience and standing within a firm. Attorneys who are ranked under partners may receive flat fees or hourly rates, whereas partners may receive an annual salary. 

Clients may also have to pay their attorneys combined flat fees and hourly rates depending on the complexity of their cases. 

Flat Fees

Flat fees describe a pre-established price for legal representation. Lawyers may receive flat fees for client representation during an arraignment or pre-trial hearings.

Flat fees come in handy when a client wants to know the cost of an attorney’s representation upfront. However, attorneys often use flat fees situationally. If a criminal case grows complicated during an arraignment or pre-trial hearing, an attorney may request hourly payment for a client’s upcoming trial.

Hourly Rates

Like many people, some lawyers may charge by the hour so that their final paycheck reflects the time commitment they’ve given to a particular case.

However, the hourly rate a lawyer asks for far exceeds that which someone in food service or retail might receive. On average, a criminal defense lawyer can request $250 per hour. That rate only increases with an attorney’s experience. Attorneys may also expect their clients to pay a deposit for their representation.

As a client, there are ways you can speed up a case to reduce the cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Orange County. However, these methods don’t always benefit your case. If you’re concerned about an attorney’s hourly rate, consider asking what payment plans they have available.

What Factors Can Increase the Cost of Legal Representation?

No two criminal cases look the same, with some becoming significantly more complicated than others. Some of the factors that may increase the cost of attorney representation include the following:

• The severity of the alleged crime in question
• Any need to call on expert witnesses for testimony
• The resources needed to cultivate your defense
• The strength of your argument against guilt

Additionally, attorneys with more experience in criminal court have the right to raise their rates to reflect their skill levels.

You have the right to ask an attorney to write down any additional costs that may raise the rate of their services. You must get this information in writing if you want to enter into a representative agreement fully informed about an attorney’s rates.

Don’t Let Cost Prevent You From Getting the Representation You Deserve

If you want to challenge the criminal charges the state intends to bring against you, you need to work with someone who can dedicate time and resources to your defense. Dod Law can do just that. 

You can contact Dod Law today to discuss our legal fees and what to expect from our services. Call us at our San Diego office (619) 814-5110 | Vista office (760) 814-6025 or schedule an appointment by filling out our online contact form to discuss the best way forward.