Everyone knows how important it is to have legal representation when you’re being charged with a crime. However, many who need a lawyer ask, “How much does a criminal lawyer cost in Florida?” The answer is more complicated than you might think.
Types of Fee Structures
The first aspect to understand about paying for a lawyer in Florida is that different law firms utilize different fee structures. The ones you’ll be most likely to encounter could include:
- Retainers. Attorneys typically ask for a retainer at the start of a case before they begin working on it. The attorney can then bill the retainer as the case progresses instead of having to bill you each time they conduct work on it. If the retainer covers more than the cost of the case, the attorney will send the money back afterward. If it doesn’t cover everything, you may need to pay additional fees so the lawyer can complete their work.
- Flat fees. For common cases, attorneys often charge flat fees. These can vary significantly in cost. A flat fee is usually based on factors like how much work the attorney will need to put into the case on your behalf. Some attorneys offer flat fee payment structures but refund part of the money if the case goes by more quickly than anticipated, so it’s worth asking about that.
- Hourly fees. Most attorneys charge hourly fees. The exact amount charged varies, depending primarily on the lawyer’s experience level. More experienced lawyers charge more than newer ones.
- Contingency fees. Contingency fees are almost never used in criminal law because there are rarely large settlements involved.
Factors That Affect Overall Costs
While it’s impossible to say exactly how much you should expect to pay without knowing all the particulars of your case, it is possible to make some generalizations about the factors that go into determining the cost of hiring an attorney. These can include:
- Type of charges. The charges being brought against you can impact how long your case will take, which can lead to a greater accumulation of hourly fees or a larger flat fee. Generally, it costs less to resolve misdemeanors than to seek representation in felony cases because the latter requires more work.
- The duration of your case. How long your case takes will affect your fees. Generally, the more time and work your case involves, the more expensive it will be.
- Attorney details. The cheapest attorney is not necessarily the right one to hire. Those with better records and reputations often charge more money than their less successful peers. However, they’re also the ones who have the most experience with criminal defense. You should take more than just pricing into account when deciding on an attorney.
- Litigation. If your case goes to trial, it will usually cost more than one that gets resolved out of court. Cases that go to trial require significantly more work. Attorneys must spend more time preparing, gathering witnesses, evaluating evidence, and preparing their clients. There are also more miscellaneous expenses associated with going to trial, such as court fees and paying expert witnesses.
How to Know What You Will Pay in Your Specific Case
The only way to know for sure what you should expect to pay for a criminal defense lawyer in Florida is to contact law firms that provide this service and ask them directly. Remember that around 141,000 cases per year get filed in Hillsborough County alone. Of those, around 31,000 get dismissed, but 73.82% result in a conviction. It’s worth paying more money for an experienced lawyer who can improve your chances of attaining positive results.
FAQs
How much a criminal lawyer charges in Florida varies based on factors such as what type of charges you’re facing, how complex the case is, and how experienced your lawyer is. You can also expect to pay more if:
- Your case goes to trial.
- You need expert witnesses.
- Your lawyer must make multiple court appearances.
Different law firms also use different billing methods, which can impact your overall cost.
You can afford a criminal lawyer in several ways. The first is to find a law firm that has low enough hourly rates to allow you to pay their fees upfront. Many people take out loans or seek the help of their friends and family members in paying legal fees as well. Always ask an attorney about potential fee arrangements during an initial consultation.
What’s too much to pay hourly for a criminal lawyer depends on what you can afford. More experienced lawyers tend to charge more than less experienced ones, so you may benefit from paying more. That said, if a lawyer charges so much that you can’t afford to pay for their services, it’s worth looking elsewhere for help.
You should talk to your lawyer about their fees during your initial consultation. Before you hire a lawyer, you need to go over both their fees and repayment options with them. All reputable lawyers are upfront about their fee structures, so it is crucial to have them explain theirs to you before agreeing to hire them.
Hire a Criminal Lawyer
If you’re facing criminal charges, it doesn’t matter how expensive it is to hire a criminal lawyer. You need a Florida criminal attorney on your side who can provide you with legal counsel and representation.
No matter what criminal charges you’re facing in the Sunshine State, you can trust Amarosa Law Firm, P.A., to help. Our team has a deep understanding of Florida’s criminal laws and how to apply them to different types of cases. We have years of experience in taking on criminal law cases and successfully defending clients against all kinds of charges. We can do the same for you, too. Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation today.
