how much does it cost to hire a lawyer for domestic violence - in mich.?

by Emerson Christiansen 9 min read

A skilled, successful, and experienced defense lawyer will charge which will take into account the reputation of the lawyer and also track the record of success in the court. You are expected to pay around $2500 and $10,000 for a retained and experienced domestic violence defense attorney.

You can expect to pay between $3,500 and $15,000 for an experienced, retained domestic violence defense attorney (depending on the facts and circumstances of the case).May 21, 2020

Full Answer

How much does it cost to hire a domestic violence lawyer?

The average cost for a domestic violence lawyer is $300 an hour. Hiring a domestic violence lawyer for representation, you will likely spend between $250 and $450 per hour. The price may vary greatly by region (and even by zip code). View our local domestic violence lawyers or get free estimates from lawyers near you.

How much does it cost to represent a domestic violence case?

Legal fees for domestic violence cases vary based on client needs and case type, and for that reason a flat rate is uncommon. "I occasionally offer a flat fee for criminal representation but never for family law cases," says Robert Terry of Law Office of Robert Terry, LLC.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer?

Here are two examples of hourly rates: $285 per hour from Robert Terry of Law Office of Robert Terry, LLC in Denver, Colorado. $150 per hour from Bryan W. Caddell, P.C. of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Hourly rates from Bryan W. Caddell, P.C. are billed against a retainer.

Do I need a lawyer for a domestic violence case?

For legal representation regarding domestic violence, a divorce attorney, criminal law attorney, or family law attorney can represent you or your family in cases where you need legal support.

How much do lawyers charge in Michigan?

between $205 and $463 per hourHow much do lawyers charge in Michigan? The typical lawyer in Michigan charges between $205 and $463 per hour. Costs vary depending on the type of lawyer, so review our lawyer rates table to find out the average cost to hire an attorney in Michigan.

How do I get a domestic violence case dismissed in Michigan?

In the state of Michigan, once an individual has been charged with domestic violence or domestic assault, they cannot simply walk away from the situation if the alleged victim decides they want to drop the charges. Only the prosecuting attorney has the authority to drop domestic violence charges against an individual.

What is a domestic violence charge in Michigan?

In Michigan, a charge of Domestic Violence is a charge of Assault and/or Assault and Battery—if committed against a spouse, significant other, co-habitant etc. Say a person gets into a bar fight in Ann Arbor, he may be charged with “standard” Assault and Battery and his case will end up on a “normal” docket.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer?

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 happens in domestic violence case?

In case you or anyone on your behalf, orally informs the Protection Officer about act of domestic violence, the Protection Officer shall reduce the same into writing. Then, you or the person, who so informs the Protection Officer, is supposed to sign that information which is called a complaint.

Can you drop assault charges in Michigan?

Can a victim have domestic violence charges dropped? No. Once the prosecutor's office has issued domestic assault or domestic battery charges, the victim has no authority over the case.

How long does a domestic violence charge stay on your record in Michigan?

In Michigan, there is a criminal statute of limitations on domestic violence cases. Since most first-time domestic violence offenses are misdemeanors, the statute of limitations expires six years after an offense is committed.

What is considered assault in Michigan?

Assault in Michigan is defined as an attempt to cause physical injury to another person, and any intentional unlawful act or threatening action if the offender appears to have the ability to carry out the act and the act would cause a reasonable person to be in fear of impending violence.

What is a no contact order in Michigan?

In Michigan, courts routinely issue a No Contact Order as a condition of being released or bonded for personal criminal offenses, such as Domestic Violence, Stalking, Assault, Sex Crimes, etc. For these offenses the alleged offender is prohibited from all contact or any attempt to contact the alleged victim.

How much is a retainer fee for a lawyer?

Overview. A retainer fee can be any denomination that the attorney requests. It may be as low as $500 or as high as $5,000 or more. Some attorneys base retainer fees on their hourly rate multiplied by the number of hours that they anticipate your case will take.

Is it better to hire a local attorney?

Local lawyers can more effectively judge the value of your case or the likelihood of success. A local attorney knows and can fairly judge the temperament in the community and the likelihood of a fair and reasonable verdict being returned in your particular matter.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

Legal fees

Legal fees for domestic violence cases vary based on client needs and case type, and for that reason a flat rate is uncommon. "I occasionally offer...

Trial costs

Trial will substantially increase the cost of a case because of the time spent on discovery, preparation and the actual trial, explains Terry of L...

Additional cost factors

Other factors that can impact cost are the case’s complexity and whether other cases are tied to it, such as criminal cases, divorces and paternity...

What can an attorney do for domestic violence?

Attorneys can serve in a variety of capacities in instances of domestic violence. Legal support may include seeking protective orders for victims of domestic violence, providing legal representation in a divorce or paternity case that is also related to domestic violence, providing criminal representation for those charged with domestic violence, ...

What kind of attorney can represent you in a domestic violence case?

For legal representation regarding domestic violence, a divorce attorney, criminal law attorney, or family law attorney can represent you or your family in cases where you need legal support. Domestic violence, as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice, is "a pattern of abusive behavior … used by one partner to gain or maintain power ...

Is domestic violence a criminal charge?

Each state has its own laws regarding domestic violence. For example, "there are no cases in Colorado where domestic violence is a stand-alone issue," says Terry of Law Office of Robert Terry, LLC. “If related to a criminal matter, domestic violence is an enhancer to the underlying charge. For example, if you hit your spouse you would be charged with assault, just like if you hit your neighbor. However, because it is your spouse it is enhanced as a domestic violence charge. On criminal cases, trial usually results in an increase in cost of approximately $2,500 if it is a misdemeanor underlying charge. If a felony, it is about $5000 or more.”

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Understanding Domestic Violence Charges

One of the challenges you will face as a defendant facing domestic violence charges is wondering what led up to the charges. Domestic violence does not always mean you caused bodily injury to another person.

The High Cost of Domestic Violence Charges

If prosecutors charge you with domestic violence, you may feel that you can defend yourself since you do not believe you did anything wrong. This is a serious mistake on your part. Remember the potential penalties of these charges. You could face misdemeanor or felony charges.

Defending Domestic Violence Charges Costs Depend on Numerous Factors

Charges you face – a misdemeanor charge is easier to defend than a felony charge. This means the case is not as labor-intensive for your lawyer.

The Importance of a Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer

Those falsely accused of domestic violence must find a way to clear their names. Unfortunately, someone may falsely claim you stalked, harassed, or threatened them to strike back against what they perceive as a wrong.

How Geographic Location Affects Attorney Fees

There may be quite a bit of time and effort required for Domestic Violence cases, not only for you but for your lawyer as well. Domestic Violence cases can have a ripple or domino effect with respect to actions that are taken after a domestic violence case has been started.

The Experience Level of your Lawyer, the Area of Law that He or She Practices and the Size and Prestige of the Law Firm With Which They Work

As with many issues in life, it is oftentimes just as critical with who your lawyer knows in addition to what your lawyer knows. This goes hand-in-hand with the experience level of your lawyer and the price that he will charge you for his services.

Southern California Assistance

Need help with your case? Call (844) 807-8180 to speak with a Law Offices of Randy Collins domestic violence attorney for a free consultation.

How does a domestic violence lawyer work?

The Domestic Violence Lawyer handles domestic violence cases at a flat rate provided there is a charge pending. You will get to know about the charges after their first consultation. An agreement will be signed beforehand to avoid surprises. Any exclusion to a flat fee must be in agreement. If not, the lawyer, rather than the client, must bear the consequences. Because of the diverse nature of charges, they are unable to provide a cost list online. However, they guarantee that the rate of your case will be settled during the first consultation. The specific cost for your domestic violence case will depend on factors such as the charge you are facing in the court it’s in. The advantage of charging a flat fee is that clients know, in the beginning, how much he or she must pay a lawyer.

What is the best way to represent you in a domestic violence case?

To have a legal representation concerning domestic violence, an expert Law Group can represent you in cases where you need legal support. They have qualified trial lawyers and two former prosecutors who can help you with your case. Contact one of the attorneys and experience the difference, as they assure you that customer service is critical to a person’s peace of mind.

Is expert law group hourly or flat?

They are also providing an hourly option in which you are being charged hourly by your lawyer. The expert Law Group lets their clients decide whether they go with a flat fee or hourly rate. The State’s Law requires the lawyer fee agreements in written signed by the client and lawyer.

What are the penalties for domestic violence?

The possible punishment you face increases significantly if the prosecutor brings charges against you with the domestic violence enhancement. Therefore, you face the maximum penalty for the underlying charge and additional conditions for domestic violence such as: 1 Automatic protection order during the case; 2 Probation with mandatory treatment and counseling; 3 House arrest; 4 Loss of right to keep and bear firearms; and 5 Habitual offender designation.

How to reduce the impact of domestic violence charges?

The best way to reduce the impact domestic violence charges have on your life is to hire a highly experienced and knowledgeable former prosecutor to be your domestic violence defense attorney.

How long can you go to jail for violating a protective order?

You could spend a year in jail and receive a $250 fine if you violate the protective order. However, you could receive as much as 18 months in jail along with a $500 fine if you have a prior conviction for violating a protective order.

What is a Class 5 felony?

If you lose your domestic violence case and are a habitual offender, you face a Class 5 felony. The mandatory parole term for a Class 5 felony is years parole that you must serve after your prison term for the underlying charge. Violating the automatic protective order is a crime as well. Violating a protective order is a Class 2 misdemeanor ...

Can domestic violence be enhanced?

In reality, the prosecution can add a domestic violence enhancement to any crime. A conviction for any one of these charges could result in jail or prison time in addition to the domestic violence enhancements. Moreover, you need to understand that aggravating factors could also increase the penalty you face.

Can you add domestic violence to a criminal case in Colorado?

However, they are not a category of charges themselves. Rather, the prosecutor can seek to add a domestic violence enhancement to your charges if the relationship between you and the alleged victim meets the definition of an intimate partnership.

Can a misdemeanor assault become a felony?

As a consequence, misdemeanor assault could become a felony if the alleged victim is pregnant when the alleged assault took place.