How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?

Facing a criminal charge can bring about extreme feelings of dread and anxiety. Your future is unsure, and you don’t know where to go from here. A criminal defense lawyer is often the next step. They can help provide peace of mind, as they have the experience to know how your case is likely to proceed.

It is common for criminal defense lawyers to require a hefty retainer fee and, subsequently, an expensive hourly rate. A criminal defense attorney is often a necessity but can get expensive quickly. Unfortunately, many individuals delay or forgo hiring a criminal defense attorney as a money-saving measure. This often backfires, and you may end up in a compromised position when dealing with law enforcement or the legal system.

Criminal Defense Lawyer Prices

Criminal defense lawyers typically charge a retainer fee. This may be a flat fee that covers the trial, or it may be money they draw from on an hourly basis. Retainer costs can be between $2,000 and $15,000.

If additional court fees or hourly attorney rate costs apply, they may be charged separately or debited from the retainer. Hourly rates for criminal defense attorneys typically fall between $150-$750.

What you pay for your criminal defense lawyer will frequently depend on where you’re located, the type of crime you’re being charged with, and the amount of work your case requires.

Limited “Unbundled” Represenation for Criminal Defense

The independent criminal lawyers in Unbundled Legal Help’s network are dedicated to providing affordable representation, and are trained to get in touch quickly.

When criminal charges apply, lawyers are usually required to be able to take the entire case. This means that apart from giving advice, criminal defense lawyers typically cannot partial services. For many other legal matters, attorneys can accept “unbundled” payments for only the limited services a client chooses, instead of offering full representation.

How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help?

You are not required to have legal representation, but having an attorney on your side is likely to yield more favorable results immediately and over time. A criminal defense lawyer should have the skills and resources to address any charges brought against you.

Your criminal defense lawyer can handle all tasks related to your legal representation, like:

• Evaluating the charges against you
• Addressing your concerns
• Coming up with a feasible defense strategy
• Negotiating a plea bargain or sentence
• Building a strong case, including compiling evidence and witness statements
• Representing you in court

A criminal defense attorney can work with you to pursue the best possible outcome.

Common Types of Crimes and Penalties

There are a wide variety of crimes with accompanying penalties. The types of crimes, their names, and consequences will depend on the laws in your state. Crimes are typically classified as infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies.

Infractions are the pettiest types of offenses, and usually do not involve jail time. Infractions include traffic violations and disturbing the peace.

Misdemeanors are more serious criminal offenses. Punishment for misdemeanors can include fines, community service, restitution, probation, and jail time. Misdemeanors can include simple assault and shoplifting. 

Felonies are the most serious type of criminal offense. These crimes are often punished with severe prison sentences. Murder and arson are felony examples.

Crimes against People

Crimes against a person result in harm to a person, or a threat of imminent harm. The harm can be physical or mental. Usually, crimes against people are either classified as violent crimes or a form of homicide. 

Violent Crimes

If the crime resulted in someone’s harm, but not death, it would be a violent crime. 

Assault

Assault is generally an intentional act that puts someone in a position to fear a risk of imminent harm. During an assault, the victim is not actually harmed but does feel it could happen at any moment. Many states often refer to the act of instilling fear in a victim as “simple assault.”

Assault is typically a misdemeanor, with penalties including fines and short jail sentences.

Battery

Battery results in harmful and offensive physical contact with the victim. 

Every state handles battery differently. For example, some states do not call it battery, but rather “aggravated assault.” It is common to hear the terms “assault and battery” together. 

Battery can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances, with penalties including prison time.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence, or domestic abuse, occurs when a victim’s spouse or intimate partner engages in frequent acts of violence. These acts can be physical, sexual, or psychological. 

Domestic violence is often classified as a misdemeanor unless certain factors are present. Physical harm, an act including a weapon, or prior instances of domestic violence can cause the crime to be considered a felony.

Harassment

Harassment is any unwanted behavior that makes a person feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. Harassment can be based on sex, race, religion, and the like. 

Depending on your state’s laws and the details of the case, harassment can be a misdemeanor or felony.

Rape

Rape involves unlawful sexual acts against the victim’s will and without their consent, usually involving intercourse. Aggravated rape is more severe, often involving a weapon or multiple offenders raping the same victim.

Rape is classified as a felony, which means the possibility of a long prison sentence.

Forms of Homicide

If the crime resulted in the victim’s death, it would be considered homicide.

Murder

Every state handles murder charges differently. Murder can be first-degree or second-degree. Florida, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania are the only states that have third-degree murder.

In most states, first-degree murder is defined as a purposeful and premeditated killing. This means the defendant knew what they were doing and planned out the killing beforehand. Defendants charged with first-degree murder face long prison sentences, sometimes life in prison, and in the worst cases, possibly a death sentence.

The precise distinctions between first- and second-degree murder vary by state. In most instances, the major difference includes the presence or lack of premeditation. Punishment is also not as severe for second-degree murder, as the death penalty is usually not on the table.

Third-degree murder entails a non-premeditated killing. Defendants charged with this crime usually only meant to cause some bodily injury without the desire to kill. Penalties for third-degree murder involve hefty fines and maximums of 15-40 years in prison, depending on the state.

Manslaughter

Manslaughter is the killing of another without “malice aforethought,” meaning the defendant did not have the intent to seriously harm or kill the victim. Essentially, an individual is charged with manslaughter because their crime does not meet the requirements for the more serious charge of murder. Manslaughter is commonly separated into two categories: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary manslaughter is often referred to as a “heat of passion” crime because the defendant is provoked by the heat of the moment to commit the killing. The defendant doesn’t have the chance to “cool off” and think twice, and their strong emotions fuel their actions. Those committing voluntary manslaughter face fines and extensive prison sentences.

Involuntary manslaughter, also referred to as criminally negligent homicide, involves an unintentional killing. In many cases, involuntary manslaughter is a result of another incident, such as an accident caused by drunk or impaired driving. Sentencing for involuntary manslaughter varies greatly but often results in fines and prison sentences.

Crimes Against Property

Crimes against property typically relate to destruction or theft. These crimes can interfere with someone’s use and enjoyment of their property.

Burglary

Burglary is generally defined as an unlawful entry into someone’s property with the intent to commit a crime, including theft. This crime is a felony, and defendants may face prison time.

Robbery

Robbery involves forcefully taking someone’s property from them. Unlike burglary, which does not require the victim to actually be present, robbery is committed directly against the victim. A defendant can be charged with robbery or attempted robbery in most states. Penalties include prison time, fines, and community service.

Larceny

Larceny is another theft crime involving taking or withholding a person’s property through various means. Larceny is distinct from robbery or burglary because it does not involve force, threats, or unlawful entry. Depending on the state and details of the case, larceny can be a misdemeanor or felony.

Embezzlement 

Embezzlement is taking someone’s personal property with which you were entrusted. The crime is most often associated with money. Depending on state law and the amount of property taken, embezzlement can be a misdemeanor or felony.

Arson

Arson is the criminal act of intentionally setting fire to someone’s property. Depending on the state, you will encounter different degrees of arson, and it may be considered a misdemeanor or a felony.

Shoplifting

Shoplifting entails taking items from a store without paying for them. Charges for shoplifting under a certain value are usually misdemeanors. Once the value of the stolen property exceeds a certain amount, it can be classified as a felony with more severe punishment.

Statutory Crimes

Statutory crimes can involve the crimes listed above. They are crimes made illegal by a specific statute. 

Statutory crimes can involve alcohol-related crimes, such as DUIs, drug-related crimes, such as drug possession, and traffic offenses, for instance driving with a suspended license. 

Inchoate Crimes

Inchoate crimes entail taking steps toward committing a crime and assisting in the commission of a crime. Inchoate crimes include attempts, conspiracy, and solicitation to commit a crime. 

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If you’re facing criminal charges, you don’t have to do it alone. We work with numerous criminal defense lawyers ready to take on cases in your area.

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