how much does a lawyer cost for a minor drug charge in pa

How much does it cost to hire a drug attorney?

Good lawyers aren’t cheap and cheap lawyers are no good. In America, you generally get what you pay for. Sure you can find someone to do an entire DUI case for $500, but what do you think you’re going to get for that? Nothing. What DUI Lawyers Cost. Great legal representation costs money. When it rains, it pours. We understand that.

What are the penalties for drug possession in Pennsylvania?

Feb 15, 2022 · Penalties are: 1st Offense Simple Possession in Pennsylvania: Maximum of 1-year imprisonment, and/or a maximum fine of $5,000. 2nd Offense Simple Possession in Pennsylvania: Maximum of 3-year imprisonment, and/or a maximum fine of $25,000. Speak To A Drug Possession Lawyer.

What does a criminal defense attorney charge?

Feb 02, 2018 · Locate how much does a lawyer cost for drug possession. You have several means of finding a drug case lawyer. You can ask your friends, family, and the people at work to see if they have ever hired an attorney. ... attorney will search for any mistakes in the prosecution’s presentation to try and get either a release or a lighter charge for ...

How much is the fine for possession of drug paraphernalia?

Sep 12, 2021 · The Law Firm of Andrea M. Kolski 8505 Technology Forest Place, Suite 104 The Woodlands, TX — 77381 832-381-3430

How much does a criminal lawyer cost in PA?

The typical lawyer in Pennsylvania charges between $199 and $354 per hour....How much do lawyers charge in Pennsylvania?Practice TypeAverage Hourly RateCorporate$311Criminal$199Employment/Labor$321Family$26217 more rows

How do you get a possession charge dismissed in PA?

If you are charged with Simple Possession of Drugs in Pennsylvania it is possible to be accepted into a Drug Diversion Program in PA , such as Probation Without Verdict (PWOV) which will result in a full dismissal of your charge(s) and expungement of your criminal record.

Do first time drug offenders go to jail in Pennsylvania?

INFORMATION ON FIRST TIME DRUG OFFENSES IN PENNSYLVANIA Even a first-time simple possession conviction can mean up to a year in prison and $5,000 in fines, depending on the amount and type of drugs found in your possession.

How much does a lawyer cost per hour?

What are Typical Attorney Fees. Throughout the United States, typical attorney fees usually range from about $100 an hour to $400 an hour. These hourly rates will increase with experience and practice area specialization.Aug 17, 2021

How do you beat a drug charge in PA?

There are many ways to fight a drug charge in Pennsylvania. Two common ways to attack a drug charge case are 1. attacking the legal basis for the search or seizure of the drugs, or 2. making factual arguments that damage the prosecution's case.

What is a simple possession in PA?

Simple possession is a fairly straightforward offense. It means you knowingly possess a controlled substance that you're neither licensed nor registered to possess. Under Pennsylvania's simple possession laws, it's assumed that the drugs are intended for personal use as opposed to sale or distribution.Nov 5, 2020

How long do you go to jail for drug possession in PA?

Drug Conviction Penalties for Drug Possession in Pennsylvania. First Offense of Drug Possession: Misdemeanor, up to one year in jail, and a maximum fine of $5000. Subsequent Offense: Misdemeanor, up to three years in jail, and a maximum fine of $25,000.

What are the drug laws in Pennsylvania?

Under Pennsylvania law, it is illegal to knowingly possess any controlled substance without proper legal authority. That applies to illegal drugs, including methamphetamines or cocaine. It also applies to legal substances such as prescription drugs and medical marijuana if you haven't been authorized to have them.

What is a Schedule 1 drug in Pennsylvania?

Schedule I: Heroin, marijuana, LSD, MDMA (ecstasy). These drugs are rated to have no accepted medical use with a high potential for addiction andabuse.

How much do the best lawyers cost?

You can pay anywhere from $50 to thousands per hour. Smaller towns and cities generally cost less while heavily populated, urban areas are most expensive. The more complicated the case and the more experienced the attorney, the more you'll pay. Lawyer fees can range from $255 to $520 per hour.

What is a retainer fee for a lawyer?

A retainer fee commonly refers to the upfront cost of a contract for professional services, such as with a consultant, freelancer or a lawyer. You put down a deposit, which the service provider will use to cover any costs involved in their legal services.May 23, 2019

How much do the most expensive lawyers cost?

Topping the list of the country's most expensive lawyers is Kirkland & Ellis partner Kirk Radke. The private equity and corporate counsel bills $1,250 per hour. The big billers tend to cluster in finance-related practices.Oct 4, 2017

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...

What are the drug laws in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania’s Drug Possession Laws. Pennsylvania drug laws make possession of certain controlled substances a punishable offense. If you’re charged under the state’s drug possession laws, the penalties you may face will depend on four main factors. The factors that influence penalties for these drug possession offenses include: ...

How much is a fine for possession of marijuana in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, marijuana possession is a misdemeanor. Possession of no more than 30 grams can result in $500 in fines and/or 30 days of jail time. Possession of over 30 grams carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail. Jail time can also come with a $5000 fine.

What happens if you get convicted of possession of marijuana?

If you’re found guilty of possession of marijuana charges and have previous convictions, your penalties may also be doubled.

How does a conviction affect your life?

Convictions also carry stigma and can affect your life long after your trial. A conviction can make it more difficult for you to move on and rebuild your life, and can even take away your freedom. If you have been charged with possession or any drug offenses, it’s important to contact a drug possession lawyer right away.

What is the maximum fine for possession of drug paraphernalia?

In addition to possession of drugs, you may also be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. This offense carries a maximum fine of $2,500 and a maximum jail time of one year. This charge is usually made in addition to a drug possession charge.

What can an attorney do for you?

Your attorney can start building a defense for you and gathering evidence on your behalf. An attorney may also work to get the charges dropped. If this is not possible, he or she will advocate for a lesser sentence for drug possession – especially if it’s your first conviction – or for the smallest penalties possible.

Is possession of drugs a felony in Pennsylvania?

Possession of certain types of drugs is classified as a felony in Pennsylvania. Possession of cocaine, meth, PCP, isomers and more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana can all result in felony charges. If you’re charged with possession with intent to deliver, you may also face up to $250,000 in fines and up to 25 years in jail.

Locate how much does a lawyer cost for drug possession

You have several means of finding a drug case lawyer. You can ask your friends, family, and the people at work to see if they have ever hired an attorney. If they have, you can ask what they thought of the experience and whether they would hire the same attorney again.

Hiring drug cases lawyer

After you have met with all the criminal defense attorneys on your list, its time to choose one. Think back to the list of qualities you have defined as most important to you. How do the lawyers measure up? To find out, ask yourself:

Meeting with a lawyer for a bail bond surety

When the time for the first meeting has arrived, let the lawyer lead the questioning. The lawyer will have a lot of questions about the drug charges against you. What happened? What are the police alleging? What is the evidence against you? Are you charged with a misdemeanor or a felony? Be forthcoming with the attorney.

Why Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?

The primary role of a criminal defense attorney is to represent the defendant (you), who has been accused of a certain crime or already have been charged with a criminal offense.

The Unique Complexity of the Case

Usually there are two extremely potent cost-affecting factors when it comes to criminal defense - it is the unique complexity of your case and seriousness of the case.

Your Criminal History (If Applicable)

The cost is also affected by your criminal history. The more legal trouble you've had in the past, the more the lawyer will have to work to make sure that those issues from your past - don't bring you down in the present.

How Much Do Lawyers Cost for Criminal Defense: Flat Fee vs Hourly Billing

As mentioned before, some lawyers bill by the hour for the provision of their services. This can be beneficial to those clients who know that their case is simple and straightforward.

Before You Meet With a Criminal Defense Attorney

Before you have your first meeting, you should consider what you want from your defense attorney in the first place. For example:

The Meeting

Now that your first meeting is underway, allow the attorney to begin. They will probably ask a tonne of questions and gather a full picture of the case.

Your Case - Your Choice

Now that you know everything about what a criminal defense attorney does, what affects the total cost for hiring one, and how to prepare and execute your first meeting. You are well on your way to taking control of your case and improving your chances of victory.

What are the consequences of hiring a criminal lawyer?

These may include jail time, creation of a criminal record, monetary fines, loss of future employment opportunities, or more. Therefore, it is often in your best interests to find and hire an experienced and well qualified criminal defense attorney to assist you with your charges.

What does a criminal defense attorney do?

At a minimum, a criminal defense attorney will ensure that the charges brought against you are appropriate, given the facts of the case and advocate on your behalf to receive the lowest possible penalty. The criminal procedure process is a complex matter, and the nuances of the differences of criminal charges are even more complex.

What happens at arraignment?

During the arraignment, you will be asked to enter your plea, and should there be no plea bargain, a preliminary hearing will be held where a judge will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to charge you with a crime. As can be seen, the entire criminal procedure is often very complex, and, thus, it is often in your best interest ...

Do criminal defense attorneys charge a fixed fee?

Attorney’s Fees: As mentioned above, criminal defense attorneys do not all cost a fixed amount of money. Attorney’s fees will vary according to several factors. Some of the more important factors affecting an attorney’s rate include: The skill of the attorney; The experience of the attorney; The seriousness of the offense;

What is hourly fee?

Hourly fees are by far the most common type of fee arrangement utilized by criminal defense attorneys. As discussed above, attorneys often feel that flat fee arrangements are not a dependable way of measuring the various factors and costs associated with representing a client facing criminal charges.

What is the difference between petty theft and grand theft?

The difference between the values is the difference between petty theft, which carries a misdemeanor charge, and grand theft which carries a felony charge. While a person has the right to proceed in their own defense, even experienced criminal lawyers will admit to not wanting to defend themselves.

What to do if you are arrested for a crime?

A well-qualified criminal defense attorney will be able to help you assert any available defense to the charges brought against you, defend you in court, and guide you through the entire criminal process.

How much does a lawyer charge for a misdemeanor?

A lawyer may charge a flat fee for a specific phase of the case (such as the preliminary/pretrial hearing and motions) or an hourly rate of $100-$300 or more.

Can an attorney lie to the court?

Anything you tell your attorney is confidential, but your attorney cannot lie to the court for you or knowingly offer a false defense. FindLaw.com explains what a criminal defense lawyer does [ 2] . There are laws governing all the steps in a criminal case, starting with the investigation, arrest, arraignment and bail procedures.

How much does a criminal defense attorney cost?

How much are criminal defense attorney fees? On average, a criminal defense attorney costs $200 an hour, but how much you’ll pay can vary greatly depending on your case. Some clients pay $100 to $150 an hour, and others pay more than $300 to $350 an hour.

How to save money on lawyer fees?

Another way to save money on lawyer fees is to make sure you understand what you’ll be responsible for paying. Attorneys who charge by the hour bill for every task associated with your case. This includes work done in the office, as well as for court appearances.

Why is it important to hire a lawyer?

If you’ve been arrested or are facing prosecution for a crime, it’s important to hire a defense attorney who can guide you through the legal process, explain your rights and options, and defend your case. It’s often best to hire a lawyer as soon as you’ve been accused of a crime to ensure your rights are protected.

What is an initial retainer?

This is an up-front advance payment that the attorney will draw from to cover your legal fees as the work is completed. Retainers can vary, depending on the lawyer’s hourly rate and the complexity of the case.

Can a misdemeanor be a felony?

Misdemeanor and felony charges vary by state, but generally, a defendant charged with a misdemeanor likely won’t pay as much as someone who needs legal representation for a felony.

Is hourly billing the only fee structure a criminal defense attorney might use?

Hourly billing is not the only fee structure a criminal defense attorney might use. Although it’s not as common, some defense lawyers might charge fixed flat fees for certain criminal cases, such as a DWI or a simple infraction.