How much will it cost to hire a criminal defense lawyer?

Picking up the phone and calling a criminal defense attorney costs absolutely nothing. You should make that call right now. You are under no obligation to hire a lawyer just because you've talked to them.

The first meeting with your lawyer.

Most criminal defense lawyers offer a free initial interview (consultation). They want to find out how they can help before they charge you for their time and expertise. Lawyers who do charge for the initial consultation will tell you that over the phone before you book an appointment so you won't be surprised. And if they do charge for the initial consultation, that payment is usually applied against their fee if you hire them.

The initial consultation is a first assessment of the case against you. The lawyer's fee will generally be based on this assessment. The fee is determined by the lawyer's reputation and experience, the complexity of the case and the amount of time it will take to conclude. Many experienced criminal defense lawyers know how much time a case is likely to take, and they charge a fixed fee accordingly.

A fixed or block fee (as compared to an hourly rate fee) will provide you with certainty about how much your defense will cost. This fee generally covers all consultations (both in person and by telephone) with your lawyer, as well as all normally expected court appearances.

Retainer letter.

Your defense lawyer will provide you with a retainer letter, which is the written confirmation of your fee arrangement.

Payment and financing.

For most people, hiring a criminal defense lawyer is an unexpected expense they have not budgeted for. But the reality is that if you are charged with a crime, you want to hire the best lawyer you can.

Most criminal defense lawyers recognize that very few people have the financial capacity to pay thousands of dollars up front for their defense. To assist you, many will set up a payment plan that fits your budget. This will allow you to pay your fees over a period of time.

Major credit cards and Interac payments are also accepted by most of our lawyers. Please inquire if you wish to make a payment using one of these methods.