Are you trying to figure out average criminal defense attorney fees? Being charged with a criminal offense is a terrifying experience and the high cost of legal counsel only adds to the stress.
To help you make the best decision for your case, this blog post will help you understand the factors that influence criminal defense lawyer cost and how much criminal lawyers are on average.
How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?
So, how much do lawyers cost for criminal defense?
The national average for criminal defense attorney costs is $200 an hour, but this varies by state, the type of case, attorney experience, and whether you’re facing a felony or misdemeanor.
Continue reading to learn more about how these factors influence criminal lawyer cost in Washington State.
How Much Is a Criminal Defense Lawyer for a Felony?
Criminal defense attorney fees for felonies vary depending on the kind of charge.
For class C felonies, like third-degree assault or electronic data theft, the average attorney charges between $3,500 and $10,000.
Class B felonies (which carry up to 10 years in prison) can cost between $5,000 and $25,000 to hire a criminal defense attorney.
And class A felonies, like first-degree murder, rape, and assault with a deadly weapon, cost at least $10,000 and can easily cost up to $100,000 or more. Considering the consequences of being found guilty of a felony (life imprisonment and/or a fine of $50,000), these attorney fees are more than reasonable.
How Much Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Cost for a Misdemeanor?
For plain misdemeanors, like indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, or trespassing, the average lawyer tends to charge between $1,500 and $3,500.
As for gross misdemeanors, like theft, stalking, and reckless driving, many criminal defense attorneys charge between $2,000 and $4,000.
Of course, experience and track record play a part as well, with more experienced attorneys charging more and fresh lawyers charging less.
Factors That Impact Criminal Defense Attorney Cost
In addition to the type of criminal charge, there are a lot of factors that influence how much a defense attorney costs. Two of the most common are:
The Attorney’s Experience
Lawyers with less criminal defense experience tend to charge lower fees than those with more experience. In situations like this, you get what you pay for.
While a new attorney may have a lower hourly rate than an experienced attorney, you may end up paying more with the cheaper counsel because the new attorney doesn’t have the skills necessary to quickly wrap up a case.
The Complexity of Your Case
Criminal lawyer cost is also influenced by the complexity of your case, with simple misdemeanors carrying a lower price tag than difficult felony cases.
This is because difficult cases require more preparation, more time in court, and require the criminal defense attorney to work much harder.
A Criminal Defense Attorney You Can Depend On
Matthew Leyba is a distinguished criminal defense attorney with a reputation for aggressively fighting for the rights and best interest of his clients.
If you’re facing criminal charges, contact our criminal defense law firm today and schedule a free consultation with Matthew Leyba so that we direct you towards the next best step for your case.