how much does it cost to have lawyer for drug charges

Whether your lawyer is working on an hourly rate or flat fee, retainers for a criminal defense attorney on drug-related charges start around $2,000-$5,000 for misdemeanors and $5,000-$15,000 for felonies, but can easily be $20,000-$30,000 and more for serious or life felonies, or complex cases that will involve a lot of hours and expert witnesses.

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How much does it cost to hire a drug attorney?

Whether your lawyer is working on an hourly rate or flat fee, retainers for a criminal defense attorney on drug-related charges start around $2,000-$5,000 for misdemeanors and $5,000-$15,000 for felonies, but can easily be $20,000-$30,000 and more for serious or life felonies, or complex cases that will involve a lot of hours and expert witnesses. The total legal fees will …

How much do attorney fees cost?

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost for Drug Possession? If you are charged with misdemeanor drug possession you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000. If you are charged with …

What does a criminal defense attorney charge?

Call us toll-free at 412-394-1000 or fill out the form at the top right of this webpage to get started with a free case review. Find out if you have a dangerous drug case today – before it's too late. …

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

God dammit i fucking hate the war on drugs! RETAIN A FUCKING LAWYER! Seriously, your life is way more valuable than whatever fines the lawyers cost and they will help reduce your …

Why Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?

The phrase “Don’t Mess With Texas” is very appropriate when it comes to the Texas court system. Texas is among the highest conviction and incarceration rates in the US. It’s not a place where one can expect to prevail simply because they feel they are innocent. Texas prisons are filled with folks who thought they could “beat the system”.

The Unique Complexity of the Case

To put it simply, the more serious the charges, the more work for an attorney. This will mean higher legal costs as well. Usually there are two factors when it comes to criminal defense cases - the complexity of the case and seriousness of the charges.

Defendants Criminal History (If Applicable)

The cost is also affected by one’s criminal history. The more legal trouble someone has had in the past, the more the lawyer will have to work to make sure that those issues from your past don’t impact your current predicament.

Flat Fee vs Hourly Billing

Civil and family law attorneys often bill by the hour of work done on a case. It’s common for those attorneys to request a portion of the expected total cost upfront as a retainer. As they work on a case, they track the hours and will deduct it from the amount in the retainer.

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

Once you’ve decided to meet, prepare to answer any and all questions the attorney may ask. Depending on the type of case, they may require a little or a lot of information.

Your Case - Your Choice

Now that you understand the cost of a criminal defense attorney, you’re better prepared to find the right lawyer to represent you.

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.

What should be included in a drug charge?

What should be included: Drug crimes may include possession, manufacture, delivery, distribution, trafficking and cultivation. Charges may be brought in either the state or federal courts, depending on circumstances. The federal government imposes mandatory minimum sentences [ 1] based on the type of drug ...

How to find the best lawyer for my case?

Meet with several attorneys to find the best one to handle your case. Know the exact charges against you, your court date, your bail amount and any other pertinent facts. Ask about the attorney's education, experience and area of specialty. Lawyers.com gives tips for selecting a lawyer [ 5] , plus how to prepare to meet with an attorney for the first time [ 6] and what to do during an initial consultation [ 7] .

Can you hire a lawyer if you are facing a felony?

If you are facing felony charges and can't afford to hire an attorney, you are legally entitled to a lawyer at no charge to you. The judge will either assign a government public defender or appoint a private attorney to represent you.

Can a federal judge 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.

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.

Do you have to pay an attorney an advance fee?

Either way, you must pay the attorney an advance fee known as a retainer, based either on all or part of the flat fee or an estimated number of hours. If an attorney works on a hourly rate, as legal services are provided, the hourly fee is deducted from the retainer; when it's gone, you will be billed for more money.

How Much Jail Time For A Felony Drug Charge?

Felony drug charges often result in prison sentences longer than one year combined with a high level of criminal fines. However, misdemeanor drug charges are usually associated with lower fines and jail time instead of a prison sentence. Read on to learn more.

The Differences

Felony and misdemeanor charges may be dependent on a number of factors including:

Examples of Felony Drug Charges

Depending on state and federal laws, felony charges can be pressed if the type of drug and the quantity you have is considered “Possession of A Controlled Substance.” For example, a higher amount of marihuana would be required to face felony charges as opposed to crack cocaine.

Schedules

Drugs are classed into schedules. For example. Schedule I are drugs that are considered high risk and have no to little medical use. Schedule V drugs have more applications and pose a lesser risk than Schedule I drugs.

Consequences Of Felony Drug Charges

Drug charges are serious. First offense felony drug charges normally lead to a minimum of one year in prison as well as fees and fines. A felony conviction for possession can lead up to two years of prison time and fines in four to five figures.

Immigration Consequences

The immigration status of an individual found guilty of felony drug convictions may be extremely jeopardized. If it is considered a “crime of moral turpitude” an immigrant may face removal or be deported and have their green card taken away. They may also be forbidden from visiting the United States again.

Talking To A Lawyer

It is really important to speak with a criminal law attorney area when you face felony drug charges. They can help you get the best possible outcome.

What Do "Free Legal Consultation" and "No Fee" Really Mean?

When you contact us to find out if you have a dangerous drug case, we offer a free legal consultation. That means after you tell us the facts about the dangerous drug reaction and your medical complications, and we'll tell you if we think you have a case. We provide this service absolutely free, with no strings attached.

There REALLY is "Never a Fee, Unless We Get Money for You"

Some firms charge clients upfront. We don't. We work on what's called a "contingent fee" basis. That means you won't owe us anything unless and until we get money for you. That's why the pressure is on us to win your case or settle the case in your favor.

Hurt by a Dangerous Drug? Contact Us Now for a Free Consultation

Call us toll-free at 412-394-1000 or fill out the form at the top right of this webpage to get started with a free case review. Find out if you have a dangerous drug case today – before it's too late. The only way you lose is if you don't take action. The legal consultation is absolutely free, with no strings attached.

What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do?

If there is a criminal claim brought against you, you may be faced with criminal penalties, such as fines, jail time, or both. Thus, if you have been charged or are under arrest for suspicion of having committed a crime, it is in your best interests to first consult an experienced attorney before you respond to any criminal prosecution.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?

As noted above, the costs of criminal defense lawyers vary, as no criminal case is identical to another. There are several factors that can affect the overall costs of a criminal case, including:

Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Charge a Flat Fee?

Although rare due to the fact that no criminal case is identical to another, some attorneys may choose to charge a flat fee for certain criminal cases. For example, an attorney may charge a flat fee, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, to represent you for a simple misdemeanor charge.

Why Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Charge an 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.

Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer or Represent Myself?

Even if you wish to plead guilty or represent yourself “pro se,” it is extremely important to first consult an experienced attorney before you respond to any criminal prosecution.

So Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

If you have been charged or arrested under suspicion of committing a crime, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately.

How to find a drug lawyer?

If youd rather not disclose your criminal charges to people you know, you can use the Attorneys.com service to find a drug crimes attorney in your area. Simply dial 1-877- 913-7222 or complete the short form on this website. After answering a few questions, well send the name and contact information for at least one criminal drugs lawyer near you.

What to do if police arrest you for selling narcotics?

If police have arrested you on suspicion of possessing or selling narcotics, you need to find a drug crimes lawyer, and you have no time to spare. If you have never hired an attorney before, or if you dont want to use the same you have in the past, this article can show you how to find and hire a drug crimes lawyer.

Why can't a lawyer represent you?

If there is a prior relationship, the lawyer may not be able to represent you because of a conflict of interest. And dont forget to bring your list of questions you composed. You dont want to forget a question. Its also a good idea to bring a pen and paper, so you can jot down the answers and any impressions you have.

What to ask a lawyer about a special request?

If you have any special requests, make them known during your first meeting. For example, maybe you need weekend appointments or communication in another language. Ask whether the lawyer can accommodate your needs.

What to do if you only met with one attorney?

If you only met with one attorney and were pleased with him or her, then you have found the attorney for you. If, however, you interviewed several and one did not rise to the top, consider contacting some of their former clients. Find out what it was like working with their attorneys and whether the clients would hire them again. First-hand feedback can be invaluable.

What happens if you can't afford a lawyer?

If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint a public defender to represent you. However, each state-and sometimes each judge-defines affordability differently. If you dont qualify, you need to find a drug crimes lawyer. You dont want to face the criminal justice system without one.

How long does it take to get a lawyer to call you?

You may contact the attorney directly, or he or she will call you within two business days.

Average Attorney Fees

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.

How Much Do Attorneys Charge?

When you start comparing attorneys, pay attention to the types of lawyers that you're comparing. Typical fees for a personal injury attorney will be different from an immigration attorney or a divorce attorney.

Standard Attorney Fees

Standard attorney fees can range from $250 an hour to $600 an hour, but their rates vary beyond this estimate based on their location and specialty. Standard legal fees for criminal cases and minor misdemeanors can cost you around $1,000, while complex divorce cases with custody battles can cost $5,000 or more.

Attorney Fee Agreement

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Every lawyer has their own fee structure and initial-consultation policies. Your first meeting might be free, or you may have to pay hourly even from the first meeting. Standard rates in a mid-sized city may be $100 to $400 an hour or more. Pricing depends on factors like their specialty, experience, current workload and location.

What expenses do clients have to pay for a lawyer?

Clients may also be responsible for paying some of the attorney or law firm’s expenses including: Travel expenses like transportation, food, and lodging; Mail costs, particularly for packages sent return receipt requested, certified, etc; Administrative costs like the paralegal or secretary work.

Why do attorneys charge different fees?

Some attorneys charge different amounts for different types of work, billing higher rates for more complex work and lower rates for easier tasks .

Why do lawyers need to put contracts in writing?

A written contract prevents misunderstandings because the client has a chance to review what the attorney believes to be their agreement.

What are the biggest concerns when hiring a lawyer?

Attorney fees and costs are one of the biggest concerns when hiring legal representation. Understanding how attorneys charge and determining what a good rate is can be confusing.

What are the costs of a lawsuit?

Some common legal fees and costs that are virtually inescapable include: 1 Cost of serving a lawsuit on an opposing party; 2 Cost of filing lawsuit with court; 3 Cost of filing required paperwork, like articles forming a business, with the state; 4 State or local licensing fees; 5 Trademark or copyright filing fees; and 6 Court report and space rental costs for depositions.

What factors determine if a lawyer's fees are reasonable?

Factors considered in determining whether the fees are reasonable include: The attorney’s experience and education; The typical attorney fee in the area for the same services; The complexity of the case; The attorney’s reputation; The type of fee arrangement – whether it is fixed or contingent;

What is the first step in resolving a dispute with a lawyer?

The first step to resolving these disputes is communication . If there is a disagreement, clients and attorneys should first seek to discuss it and try to reach a mutually agreeable solution. Often, small disagreements balloon merely because both the attorney and the client avoided talking to the other out of fear.