how much cost to find lawyer to dismiss robbery case

by Percy Rowe 6 min read

If your case goes to trial, the costs can double. If your attorney is able to plea bargain for you, the cost will average $3,500 – $5,000. These prices do not include the initial retainer fee which will average $2,000 – $4,000.

Full Answer

How do judges determine the punishment for robbery?

In a robbery case, judges will typically factor in: The nature of the victim to reach a suitable punishment. An aggravating factor increases the severity of the crime, while a mitigating factor reduces it.

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost?

Hourly billing rates will vary greatly, depending on the relative ability of the lawyer and your personal case circumstances. Typically, you can expect to pay $150 to $700 an hour for a criminal defense lawyer’s time.

What should I do if I am accused of robbery?

If you are accused of robbery, then you should contact a local criminal defense lawyer immediately. They will be able to provide information about how to protect your rights, whether any defenses are applicable to your case, what the laws in your particular state are, and what your best options are regarding how to proceed.

How do you determine the cost of a criminal case?

There are many factors to consider when assessing the overall costs of a criminal case: Investigators and Expert Witnesses – Very often criminal cases have multiple and complex issues that require expert witnesses and/or investigators.

What Factors Cause Criminal Defense Costs to Vary?

There are several factors that can affect the overall costs of a criminal case: 1. Defendant’s Income – The defendant’s income determines if he or...

How Much Will It Cost If The Lawyer Charges A Flat fee?

If a lawyer charges a flat fee, and the charge is a misdemeanor, expect to pay anywhere between $1,000-$3,000. If there is a possibility of trial,...

Why Would Lawyers Charge An Hourly fee?

Accomplished and well-known attorneys often choose to charge clients by the hour instead of according to a flat rate. In addition, if a case is com...

Do I Need An Attorney to Represent Me?

Even if you believe you have committed a crime and wish to plead guilty, it is extremely important to consult an experienced attorney before respon...

Is One Fee Structure Better Than another?

Ultimately, the best billing structure is the one that works for the client. Criminal defense lawyers understand how stressful of a time this is, a...

How much does a lawyer charge for a misdemeanor?

If you face a misdemeanor charge and the lawyer charges a flat fee, expect to pay somewhere between $1,500-$3,500. If going to trial is a possibility, you can expect the fee to be between $3,000-$5,000.

How much does a criminal defense attorney charge per hour?

You can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $300 per hour to hire a criminal defense lawyer according to CostHelper. For example, Thumbtack says, “ if an attorney has a $200 hourly fee, he or she may require a 10-hour retainer fee of $2,000 ”

How much does a first degree felony cost?

TheLawMan says, “ most will agree that the cost for a first-degree felony is at least $10,000, often more. For the most experienced lawyers, you should expect to pay between $35,000 and $100,000 or even more .”.

How much does a lawyer cost?

A lawyer costs about $2,000 to $3,000 for a misdemeanor. According to Nolo, “ a defendant charged with a misdemeanor that goes to trial should not be surprised by a legal fee in the neighborhood of $2,000–$3,000; an attorney may want an advance of around $2,500, and $1,000 per day of trial in a felony case .”.

How much does a psychologist charge for a defense?

Expert witnesses and investigators require an average retainer fee of $2,500 and they may charge in excess of $300 per hour. Attorney’s Fees – Attorney’s fees vary depending on several different factors.

What factors to consider when assessing the overall costs of a criminal case?

There are many factors to consider when assessing the overall costs of a criminal case: Investigators and Expert Witnesses – Very often criminal cases have multiple and complex issues that require expert witnesses and/or investigators. To demonstrate, a defense attorney may hire the services of someone who specializes in chemical testing ...

Do attorneys charge by the hour?

Some attorneys and those who are already well known in their practice area will often charge by the hour to their clients as opposed to using a flat rate fee. Additionally, if an appropriate flat fee cannot be determined because or the complexity of a case, the attorney may decide to charge an hourly rate instead .

What are the grounds for dismissal of armed robbery charges?

5 Grounds for the Dismissal of Armed Robbery Charges. 1. Lack of Evidence. The burden of proof is on the prosecutor. This means that they have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. If they can’t, then the armed robbery charges must be dropped. If the case has already gone to trial, ...

How to get charges dismissed?

This is one of the most common ways to get charges dismissed. As with an arrest, there needs to be probable cause for a stop or search. Probable cause for a traffic stop is most likely a traffic violation, such as speeding or running a red light. If you are charged with armed robbery because of something an officer saw when they pulled you over without cause, these charges must be dropped. The same goes for a search. If a police officer searches the premises without good reason, anything they find is inadmissible in a court of law. Any attorney worth their salt will check the circumstances of stops and searches to ensure probable cause existed.

What happens if a case goes to trial?

If the case has already gone to trial, then it is the judge’s responsibility to drop the charges for lack of evidence. This usually happens after the defendant’s lawyer files a motion to dismiss the charges. However, prosecutors also dismiss the charges themselves sometimes.

Can a key witness testify against a defendant?

Sometimes, a key witness for the prosecution will be unavailable to testify. This may result in the prosecution not having enough evidence to prove the charges brought against the defendant. The prosecution may drop the charges on their own if this happens, or the defendant’s criminal law attorney may file a motion to dismiss.

Can a police officer make an arrest based on instincts?

A police officer can’t make an arrest based on their instincts. There needs to be evidence that the person committed the crime for the arrest to take place. Of course, there doesn’t need to be enough evidence yet to get a conviction in court, but anyone detained on a guess has grounds for dismissal of their charges.

Can armed robbery charges be dropped?

Many people who are accused of crimes involving robbery can get their armed robbery charges dropped. There are various circumstances that would allow for this to occur. An experienced robbery attorney will consider these circumstances to best service his or her client, you.

What happens when a defendant is forced to commit a robbery?

Duress: If the defendant was forced by a threat of death or bodily injury to commit the robbery, then they may be able to claim duress as a defense. This sometimes occurs when the defendant is a member of a gang.

What are the factors that determine the seriousness of a robbery charge?

Other factors that are generally used to determine the seriousness of a robbery charge include: Whether the use of a firearm or weapon was involved (i.e., armed robbery); The type of property stolen; Where the crime took place; The type of victim that the crime was committed against;

What is robbery by threat?

What is Robbery? Robbery is a form of felony theft that is defined as the taking of property from another person by the use of force, intimidation, or the threat of force. Hence, why it is sometimes referred to as “larceny by threat or force.”. In some states, the use or threat of force does not need to be directed at the intended victim, however, ...

What are the elements of robbery?

Although the laws of each state slightly differ in their definitions of what constitutes a robbery charge, the general elements of robbery typically include: 1 The taking and carrying away; 2 Of the personal property of another; 3 From their possession or in their presence; 4 Against their will; 5 By force, fear, violence, intimidation, or threat of force.

What are the consequences of a robbery?

The consequences that a defendant may face for conviction of a robbery include probation, criminal fines, and imprisonment, ranging from a year to a life sentence.

Is robbery a felony?

Since robbery can be considered an inherently dangerous felony where death is a foreseeable consequence, a robbery can also become a first-degree felony murder charge if someone is killed during the carrying out of the crime. This may be true even if the defendant never intended to kill the victim.

Is robbery the same as burglary?

It is important to note that while robbery is often confused with the crime of burglary, they are not the same thing. Burglary involves the breaking and entering of a home or other building with the intent to commit a felony inside.

What is robbery in the US?

Robbery, in basic terms means that you have forcibly taken away property or goods and used intimidation or threatened (whether by words or weapons), and you intended to walk away with the goods. Robbery convictions, especially those that include weapons, can be punishable with a life sentence.

How much does an attorney retainer cost?

Attorney retainer fees will run $2,000 – $5,000 (for a misdemeanor) and $5,000 – $10,000 (for a felony) and are not included in the costs below. For less serious charges of “recreational amounts” of marijuana, you can expect to pay a flat fee of around $900 – $1,500 if you are first offender. Drug Offenses Legal Fees.

What is the most serious crime?

For obvious reasons, these offenses are the most serious you can commit and you will most likely be facing prison time. Murder has a few different levels; first degree (capitol murder), second degree and felony murder. First degree murder is the most serious charge you can receive and means that it was deliberate, planned and premeditated. You thought about it before you committed it and causing death was the ultimate goal. Second degree murder means that you have killed someone with premeditation – such as getting into a fight, going into your car to get a gun, shooting and killing. Your intent with the altercation was not to kill. Felony murder is treated very much like second degree murder, but includes the commission of a felony when the murder occurred such as; committing robbery with a group and one of them kills an individual. Even though you did not kill anyone, the death happened while committing felony robbery. Conspiracy to commit murder means that you were part of the planning or commissioned someone to kill another individual. Conspiracy will be upgraded to murder or manslaughter if death occurs.

What is assault charge?

However, assault cases encompass any act that an individual commits that causes fear, injury or bodily harm to another. Charges will most likely be in one of the following categories; common or simple assault, assault with bodily harm, battery and assault on a police officer. Common or simple assault is defined as a threat of bodily harm and the ability to cause the harm. While it seems this type of assault carries an intent to harm, it is usually not tried in court this way and may only be heard by a magistrate.

What are some crimes that are considered criminal?

There are many offenses that are considered as part of criminal law. For the most part, they are what you may think such as murder, rape and assault. But you will also find a need for a criminal attorney if you are charged with drug offenses or even blackmail.

What does it mean to commit second degree murder?

You thought about it before you committed it and causing death was the ultimate goal. Second degree murder means that you have killed someone with premeditation – such as getting into a fight, going into your car to get a gun, shooting and killing. Your intent with the altercation was not to kill.

Is felony murder a second degree murder?

Felony murder is treated very much like second degree murder, but includes the commission of a felony when the murder occurred such as; committing robbery with a group and one of them kills an individual. Even though you did not kill anyone, the death happened while committing felony robbery.

How much does an attorney charge per hour?

Attorney fees typically range from $100 to $300 per hour based on experience and specialization. Costs start at $100 per hour for new attorneys, but standard attorney fees for an expert lawyer to handle a complex case can average $225 an hour or more.

What to ask when hiring an attorney?

When hiring your attorney, ask for a detailed written estimate of any expenses or additional costs. They may itemize each expense out for you or lump their fees all together under different categories of work. Lawyers may bill you for: Advice. Research.

What is retainer fee?

An attorney retainer fee can be the initial down payment toward your total bill, or it can also be a type of reservation fee to reserve an attorney exclusively for your services within a certain period of time. A retainer fee is supposed to provide a guarantee of service from the lawyer you've hired.

How to avoid disagreements with your attorney?

Avoid disagreements with your attorney about how much you owe by taking the time to review your attorney fee agreement carefully. You may also hear this document called a retainer agreement, lawyer fee agreement or representation agreement. Either way, most states require evidence of a written fee agreement when handling any disputes between clients and lawyers. You must have written evidence of what you agreed to pay for anyone to hold you accountable for what you have or have not spent.

What happens if you don't pay a flat fee?

However, if you don't comply with every single term listed on the flat fee contract, then your attorney still has the right to bill you for additional costs that may come up in your case. For instance, a flat fee lawyer working on an uncontested divorce case may still charge you for all court appearances.

What is statutory fee?

A statutory fee is a payment determined by the court or laws which applies to your case. You'll encounter a fixed statutory fee when dealing with probate or bankruptcy, for example.

Do paralegals pay more than legal research?

For example, a court appearance often costs more than legal research time. Besides that, the same younger paralegals who may do the majority of research receive lower wages than senior associates who conduct interviews and present the case before a judge.

Thomas John Nellessen

There are things called Conspiracy and Complicity statues that make all involved in any way just as guilty of the crime as the person who pulled the trigger. The cost for attorneys in these kinds of cases will be in the tens of thousands. Be ready to pay retainers in the range of $35,000.00 to over $50,000.00 just to get the ball rolling.

Jim Mullenix

Tens of thousands of dollars. And here's why: Any competent lawyer will have to meet with the client to get an idea of the facts that lead to the arrest of the accused. Then the lawyer will need to subpoena the discovery, which will include police reports, hospital reports, medical examiner's report, lab reports, rap sheets, etc.

Joshua Sachs

Doesn't necessarily matter who pulled the trigger. Everybody involved in any way could be guilty. If ten people were involved and only one had a weapon, all ten could still be guilty of murder. Talk to some of the excellent criminal defense attorneys in Chicago and Cook County and ask them how they charge.

How much does a lawyer charge to negotiate a settlement?

Flat Fee Per Creditor or Debt. Depending on how many creditors you want the attorney to negotiate with, the lawyer might charge you a flat fee to handle the entire negotiation through settlement. The fee amount will typically depend on the number and type of creditors you have. In general, average fees can range from $500 to negotiate ...

How much does a lawyer charge to settle a credit card debt?

The fee amount will typically depend on the number and type of creditors you have. In general, average fees can range from $500 to negotiate a simple credit card debt to more than $5,000 for more complex negotiations.

What to do if you don't want to hire an attorney?

If you don't want to hire an attorney to handle the entire negotiation process, you can ask the lawyer to provide an unbundled service. An unbundled service is a specific task that the attorney will complete for a fee. The fee will vary depending on the complexity of the task and the lawyer's enthusiasm for providing unbundled services. ...

Why don't attorneys work on a piecemeal basis?

Another reason many attorneys don't like to work on a piecemeal basis is that they worry that they might be on the hook if something goes wrong in another part of your case.

How much does a debt negotiation attorney charge?

In many cases, you can expect a debt negotiation attorney to charge anywhere from $125 to $350 per hour.

What is attorney fees?

how difficult it will be to settle the debt. Generally, attorneys' fees are directly related to how much work the lawyer will have to perform. If you want to negotiate with your creditors, you might be able to hire an attorney to handle the entire negotiation process until settlement or perform ...

Do attorneys charge a percentage of the settlement?

Similar to fees based on the amount of your debt, an attorney might charge you a percentage of the money you'll save with the settlement. With this kind of arrangement, the attorneys' fees increase with the amount you save, which gives the attorney more incentive to get you the best possible settlement.

How long is a second degree robbery sentence?

For second degree robbery, the statutory range consists of a minimum prison term of one year and a maximum term of 15 years.

What are the mitigating factors in a robbery case?

Mitigating factors for a robbery case can include such things as whether the defendant returned the stolen property or took responsibility for the commission of the crime. The lack of a criminal history can also provide a mitigating factor for the defendant.

What do judges look for in a sentence?

Judges then look at any aggravating or mitigating factors to determine the exact sentence to hand down. This is true for robbery sentencing as well as the sentencing and penalties for other crimes.

Is robbery a serious crime?

Robbery is generally treated a serious crime, and therefore can have severe consequences. If you have questions about the penalties for robbery in your state, or you've been charged with a crime, you may want to speak with a local criminal defense attorney to get your questions answered and get help with your defense.

Lack of Evidence

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The burden of proofis on the prosecutor. This means that they have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. If they can’t, then the armed robbery charges must be dropped. If the case has already gone to trial, then it is the judge’s responsibility to drop the charges for lack of evidence. T…
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No-Show Witness

  • Sometimes, a key witness for the prosecution will be unavailable to testify. This may result in the prosecution not having enough evidence to prove the charges brought against the defendant. The prosecution may drop the charges on their own if this happens, or the defendant’s criminal law attorney may file a motion to dismiss.
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Not Enough Probable Cause For Arrest

  • A police officer can’t make an arrest based on their instincts. There needs to be evidence that the person committed the crime for the arrest to take place. Of course, there doesn’t need to be enough evidence yet to get a conviction in court, but anyone detained on a guess has grounds for dismissal of their charges. There needs to be at least some circumstantial evidence to justify th…
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Improperly Filed Paperwork

  • These days, there is lots of paperwork that goes into making an arrest and pursuing a case. If some of this paperwork is overlooked, filed late, or not filed at all, this may be grounds for a dismissal of the charges. Believe it or not, this happens fairly often. A savvy attorney will keep an eye out for this to try and get their client’s charges dropped.
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Illegal Stop Or Search

  • This is one of the most common ways to get charges dismissed. As with an arrest, there needs to be probable cause for a stop or search. Probable cause for a traffic stop is most likely a traffic violation, such as speeding or running a red light. If you are charged with armed robbery because of something an officer saw when they pulled you over without cause, these charges must be dr…
See more on marchianolawcorp.com