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23 May, 2024 by Roger smith
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13 May, 2013 by Anonymous
We had a personal family crisis when my dad was injured badly and my family was devastated. We'd heard great things about Mainetti, Mainetti and O'Connor so we called them. First of all we got a real person, even thought it was 8:15 pm at night. We met with Al Mainetti the very next morning, and he reassured us that everything was going to be okay. His manner was soothing and put my very upset dad at ease right away. Al walked us through tthe process and he even brought in his other lawyers to get their opinions too, which I thought was great. They are a real team. The whole office is calming! It's not like a regular law firm where everyone is stuffy. This put my dad's fears to rest. Al Mainetti and Joe O'Connor wound up getting my dad money for his injuries and it was over super quick. I love this firm and they did right by my family. I would trust them with my life in a heartbeat.
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09 May, 2013 by Katbradley
I have been a client of Mr. Al Mainetti for quite a few years having been represented by him in different areas of law, never receiving anything less than the most honorable and poweful dedication that one could give. I truely am grateful for all that he and his staff have done for me. I may not be breathing fresh air nor riding my quad pain free had I not listened to the advice of my attorneys. I could never thank them enough for all of their time and dedication, and the comfort knowing first hand that when you walk into Mainetti, Mainetti, and O'Connor you will be treated like family and represented by the most aggressive and competent attorneys NY has to offer.
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08 Jun, 2024 by Justin mccray
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07 Jun, 2024 by Lisa calabro
Loved working with Kelly G. and the staff! Top Notch Service!
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06 Jun, 2024 by Scott elliott
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08 Aug, 2024 by Walton
Michael represented our son through his SORA nightmares first in the Ulster County Court in Kingston and then in appeal in Albany's State Supreme Court. He won the downward departure motion from a level 2 (moderate risk) to a level 1 (low risk) on appeal based upon the psychometric testing of Dr. Megan Wright and the profiling provided by Chris Farrell. This is a very important decision because it specifically holds that psychometric testing is an independent ground for a downward departure. Michael was brilliant both in the Ulster County court, where the judge chose to ignore everything Michael presented, and in the State Supreme Court where wiser minds prevailed. We would hire Michael again in a heartbeat.
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03 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
Michael Pollok is not only an excellent attorney, but he is a compassionate and principled human being and I could not recommend him more highly. There is a lot of shame around getting pulled over for driving under the influence and being from out of state added an additional difficulty to the already stressful situation. From the minute I contacted Michael’s office, he was kind, professional, and immediately set in motion the sequence of events which would ultimately result in the favorable judgement in my case. Thank you Michael for your steadfast guidance.
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31 May, 2024 by Anonymous
Michael was an excellent attorney. One of the biggest complaints with attorneys is failure to communicate. The day we called his office we received a return call that day. From then on he personally answered all of our questions promptly. He was on top of the case up to and including the arraignment. He was able to negotiate a plea deal from a DWI to a DWAI. We are so thankful for all of his hard work and would definitely recommend him..
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05 Aug, 2024 by Alessia bevacqua
Robin was excellent, very professional, I highly recommend her Alessia
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14 Jul, 2024 by Rob casselman
I’ve closed on three different properties with Scott and he has been great to work with on each one. His years of experience show and I like how quickly he gets to the point. Stellar attorney and reasonably priced as well!
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08 Jul, 2024 by Dwayne lutchna
Scott is excellent. This was my first time purchasing real estate, and Scott’s guidance and professionalism helped to make it a positive experience. He was diligent in looking out for my best interest, and protecting me from any potential risk. We were able to leverage language Scott included in the contract to get a significant credit after the property was inspected. If you’ve never worked with an attorney before, it can be a little intimidating to know where to start, what qualities to look for. I would say, someone who has a lot of experience, is smart and knows the law — but also someone that’s great at communication, can be a good guide, listen and understand what you’re trying to accomplish. Scott has all those qualities, and in addition, he cares about his clients. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a good, honest real estate attorney.
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06 Mar, 2020 by Anonymous
I was looking for immigration attorney in my area to apply for citizenship . I was asking around for long time got some names but felt I want to do my own research . I found Daniel Green on google . It was my gut feeling to hire him. I never regret it for a moment . He’s very honest , very knowledgeable ( worked with attorneys and they weren’t) My case had little twist and turn , Daniel did all the possible research to make my proses successful. And he did . We thought it will take maybe up to 18 months to get my naturalization. It took nine months. I had to hurry on my study which I found interesting to learn . He walked me through each and every step. He made it very easy for my .Give yourself a favor it’s lot of paperwork he will do it all .it’s worth every penny ! Thank you Daniel !
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01 Mar, 2019 by Burulkan
Knowledgeable, Persistent, and Devoted I applied for asylum and consulted with Dan Green to help me prepare for my interview at the asylum office. Dan worked with me as a good professional of his job —he was very focused on my case, becoming quickly familiar with my situation. Dan was sympathetic and kind, and helped me through the preparation he determined I needed for the best chance for success at my interview. He researched and found an extraordinarily skilled translator to meet us at the asylum office. Dan accompanied me to the interview, which required that we board our first bus at 4:10 in the morning. Because of Dan’s calm presence and his support and encouragement, I was able to have success at the interview telling my story to a representative of the USCIS. Last week, I received a letter from USCIS informing me that my application for asylum had been approved. I would highly recommend Daniel Green . God Bless Dan Green, and God Bless America!
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12 Aug, 2016 by Dagoberto
I think me Greens Was the best thing happend to me he he is the best laweyer that ever have thanks to him i am Here in compania de mis hijos he us wonderful person and soul de the best lastres i have thank so much Mr Greens i Willem never thank Mr Greens for evething You did for me god blessed You .and the only thing i can say You the best in this bussiness
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05 Aug, 2024 by Alessia bevacqua
Robin was excellent, very professional, I highly recommend her Alessia
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05 Aug, 2024 by Alessia bevacqua
Robin was excellent, she followed me through every step, keeping me informed of the situation constantly. Highly recommended!
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25 Jul, 2024 by Posie
Felt very comfortable and confident in the services of this law office. They were a pleasure to deal with.
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30 Jul, 2019 by Mussolini
Professor McDaniel-Miccio was there for me and my family when no one wasn't there. I was hired by the city of New York by Health and Hospital. I really wanted that job, because of past background the department of Health was giving me a hard time to be employed with the city of New York. Nevertheless, I hired Professor McDaniel- Miccio she did an excellent job rapidly. However, within two months I got my job back. My take with Professor McDaniel-Miccio was professional about her work. I will continue praying for you for helping me and helping to put food on the table and taker my family. May God watch over you and give you strength to help the little guys who really need help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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23 Apr, 2019 by Karl
I hired prof McDaniel on a very difficult case. I knew that she is a former law professor and an assistant DA. She has a reputation for being a no nonsense attorney and I wasn't disappointed. She is kind, compassionate,super smart, committed and a fighter. She went way above and beyond the call.
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27 Mar, 2019 by Laurie
Kris has been an immense help for me with issues over elder law issues with my mother. Her ability to dig deeply into issues and have the legal knowledge to craft a path is remarkable. Not only is she knowledgable, brilliant she is kind and understanding. I give her the highest accolades..
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16 Apr, 2014 by Kiersten
As first-time homeowners, we had many (many) questions. Al and his team were incredibly knowledgeable, forthcoming, and kind-hearted from the moment we made an offer until the last document was signed at the closing. Al, Lisa, or Cheryl picked up the phone every time I called, responded to emails within a few hours (and often within minutes), and kept us calm throughout what can be a nerve-wracking process. We closed on the property yesterday, and the seller's attorney, the bank's attorney, and my real estate broker each commented separately on Al's efficiency and professionalism. I would hire Al again in a heartbeat, and highly recommend him to anyone seeking an attorney in the Ulster County area.
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21 Jun, 2011 by Mike
We used Albert recently for legal support and found him to be very easy to work with, straight forward, with honest counsel. He was able to quickly close our case to our satisfaction. I would recommend Al for any and all your legal needs.
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06 Jun, 2011 by Harbalwant singh
I would like to say that Mr. Hrdlicka has handled my deals with full care & responsiblity. I was able to access him as & when I need ..very important hwen you making time sensitive issues.
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01 Apr, 2024 by Duane
Mr. Petro was a calming presence for me while representing me for my case. He is knowledgeable, personable, and when needed even infused some humor into our meetings to make me feel comfortable and know that he had my best interest at heart while representing me. He was very instrumental in seeing my case through to a great outcome, and I couldn’t be more happy with his services.
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11 Dec, 2022 by Christian
Mr. Petro is highly recommened! He is personable and listens and pays attention in high detail to your past to get you through your present. He has always been available with any questions or concerns. Tom makes it his priority to take any stress or concerns you may have through the process. He has a down to earth personality and will not smoke screen the outcome. He gets things done by being highly known and experienced with the court system. Bottom line,Tom Petro is a real nice guy with a great reputation!
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19 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
Mr. Petro did an exceptional job representing me and resolving my case. He went above and beyond for me. When he says “I’ll take care of it”, it is taken care of. Period. He is super busy and if he does not get back to right away, he is probably working on your behalf. Just leave the guy alone and let him do his job. Mr. Petro has a great sense of humor and he knows his way around the courts. The judges and prosecutors respect him. If you made a one time mistake like me and learned your lesson, he will take care of you. I can’t thank Mr. Petro enough!
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21 May, 2015 by Anonymous
When I was charged with a felony DWI I need a lawyer who listen, care for and defend me to the best of their ability. Having children and a career, I knew that loosing my license would be detrimental my children's lives because I could potentially loose my job or need to quit my job. I had initially hired a larger firm, with the mindset that "you get what you pay for." After a few weeks, I found myself to be utterly disappointed with my decision. I signed the contract and payed the fee, but nobody would return my calls in regards to my case, or call me to update me on my case. I felt like I was in the dark. Then when I finally did receive a call, instead of the lawyer talking to like their was hope, he talked to meet like I was just another case in their case load. I was utterly disappointed in my decision. I then began saving money to seek out other representation. A coworker of mine suggested I meet with Attorney Melanson. After meeting with him for a short time, I realized he was the person I needed from the beginning. He made me feel like he had my back at a time when I desperately needed someone to. Attorney Melanson returned my calls almost immediately, was honest and upfront about my case from the beginning, and treated me like I was his most important client. He made sure I knew the worst possible outcome but fought incredibly hard to get the best possible outcome. In the end, my case was reduced significantly. I have my job, my license and most importantly my children's safety and security.My family and I are so thankful for his hard work and for his dedication to my case.
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23 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
Thomas is an excellent excellent lawyer you can bet your bottom dollar that he will not steer you wrong in anyway shape or form.He is the real deal a straight shooter and truly exceptional at what he does.He formulated a plan reviewed the whole case in true dept and took a course of action and carried it out and he will keep you informed every step of the way while he is doing so.If you call him he will get back to you will not have you waiting and the best part he is extremely affordable by all means TRUST me.If you want a real lawyer if you want true representation look no more,go in that court room with your head held high feeling lucky because you have THOMAS MELANSON on your side fighting for you.THIS GUY IS THE TRUTH...RETAIN HIM IT'LL BE THE BEST INVESTMENT THAT YOU WILL PROBABLY MAKE IN YOUR WHOLE LIFE...CASE CLOSE... THANK YOU THOMAS MY FAMILY AND I APPRECIATE YOU TONS...!!!!
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26 Sep, 2012 by Anonymous
Thomas Melanson is an extremely respectful, diligent, and experienced attorney. Having worked with him during one of the most difficult times in my adult life, he showed me nothing but care, concern and positive results. With patience, understanding and hard work, he aided me in turning a potentially horrific situation into a tolerable and even life changing process with a positive outcome. I highly recommend Thomas Melanson as a criminal defense attorney and would use him again without hesitation.
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21 Sep, 2017 by Nick
An excellent lawyer and person. Brian Rounds and his team consisting of his wife Alexis, and Lindsay are amazing and will go way beyond what anyone could ask for. Don't go to any other lawyer in the Kingston area! You will not regret having him defend I know I never have or will. Thank you for everything you did for me Brian
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20 Jul, 2016 by Kristin
Bryan and Lindsey are absolutely awesome. He's my husband's attorney and has been fighting tooth and nail to get him much less time than what the judge wants to give him. He's so experienced and much more so than the one that we hired prior, and knew about certain things that even the DA didn't know about when it came to getting a specific DA off of the case. If you are in trouble, this guy is your golden ticket. My husband is doing 16 months in jail instead of 1 1/3-3 or 4-7 yrs. He is also taking care of his parole matter. If you are in trouble and can afford a good attorney (he is NOT cheap by any means), then this is the guy you need to call.
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08 Dec, 2020 by Liane
Kevin assisted me through some difficult personal challenges during the course of my litigation. He gave me more of his time than he needed to, he listened and shared personal experience out of genuine compassion for my circumstances. And as the lawyer I needed to bring my case to a more than expected settlement; Kevin was up front, honest, responsive and consistent. He always took or responded to my calls within 24 hours. He followed through with every and all things discussed and expected. I never had to make repeated attempts to obtain an answer. The office staff are always familiar with and aware of what things need to be done. Their response time is almost immediate. I felt valued and respected by everyone in the office.
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07 Feb, 2020 by Frank
All you want when hiring a lawyer is results. This lawyer will get them for you. He represented my son in a case and walked him through every step of the way. Always keeping us both in the loop and got him the best outcome possible. Great lawyer and a great man.
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10 Aug, 2018 by Annemarie
We used Mr. Gilligan for our closing about 2yrs ago and even now when any tax or title issues occur. He is the best person for the job. He is very honest and descriptive in everything that is done, you are never in the dark.
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12 Jul, 2011 by Margaret
I WOULD RECOMMEND JEFFREY IN A MINUTE. JEFFREY WAS ON TOP OF THE CASE AND HAD LESS THAN 3 DAYS TO PREPARE FOR THIS VERY DIFFICULT CASE AND I COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER OUTCOME. JEFFREY HANDLED THIS MATTER AS IF HE WERE DEFENDING A FAMILY MEMBER. HE WAS IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH ME, HE RETURNED MY PHONE CALLS BY THE END OF THE DAY AND KEPT ME INFORMED AT ALL TIMES. JEFFREY IS A PROFESSIONAL HARD WORKING ATTORNEY. MY CASE WAS IN FRONT OF A TOUGH JUDGE AND JEFFREY WAS NOT INTIMIDATED AT ALL. HE WAS WELL PREPARED AND WE HAD THE BEST OUTCOME POSSIBLE.
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07 Sep, 2012 by Michelle
John was my attorney for a family court matter..he made no false promises and was always on my side. It was a difficult time and his hard work and knowledge gave me the best outcome possible. He is my go to guy whenever I need advice.
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11 Aug, 2023 by Scott
Russell helped in court to get objective evidence reduced thus helping a case be reduced to something much more reasonable for my families outcome.
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27 Mar, 2023 by S brown m
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20 Jun, 2021 by Maggiegrace feeney
Brilliant...
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07 Oct, 2021 by Jodie
My elderly father filed bankruptcy due to business issues in 2020 with this attorney. By end of Aug 2020, it was discharged. It is Oct 2021 and I am still dealing with the absolute mess made by this attorney due to his omission of extremely important information, incorrect answers when specifically asked and for all of his “don’t worry, it will be ok” speak. I sat in his office face to face as well as exchanged emails with him. Best part? He then denied answers he put in writing via email to me, and when brought to his attention, we went completely ignored and were not able to obtain a consent from him in writing so that we would be able to start dealing with certain creditors to clean up his mess. Buyer beware.
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07 Dec, 2020 by Rachel
I called Brian Juran’s office because my counselor had had both an excellent firsthand experience and her clients who had called on Brian for his services had experienced the same. His staff are helpful, friendly, professional and knowledgeable; all of them have been available throughout the process to help me every step of the way. This being one of the most challenging emotional experiences of my life, it’s very calming to know and feel that I have a knowledgeable, experienced, successful litigator on my side who is 100% supportive, friendly, thorough and kind.
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05 May, 2019 by P & c
The first time we walked into Brian`s office we were very nervous. Our credit card debt was through the roof. Brian not only calmed our fears but he also did exactly what he said he would do. Brian and his staff are wonderful. We will recommend him to anyone in need of his services.
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29 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
Cappy has now TWICE not shown up to court after being paid. In addition, he has cancelled meeting abruptly and has shown a general disregard for all professionalism and care for the case. I am truly shocked that there can be someone out there who is this bad at simply showing up for court as a lawyer. I would rather have a court appointed attorney than pay for this man’s representation. It is truly one of the worst experiences imaginable.
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12 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
While many people can simply make a bad claim about a lawyer without backing that claim up with facts, I can back my claims up with facts. Walk in and sit down in Cappy's office and you will immediately witness that he is an extremely unorganized man. Where being unorganized is not a necessarily a bad quality in itself, when it hinders a person in the function and effectiveness of their duty, THEN it becomes a bad quality. While representing me (or should I say misrepresenting me) Cappy once allowed the opposing party to write up the compromise that was agreed upon in court between my ex husband and I concerning the details of the custody of our daughter. The agreement was completely bastardized by the opposing attorney and sat on Cappy's desk for weeks; because it was neither read nor challenged, the time limit for the challenge ran out and the bastardization thus became a court order. This one catastrophic stroke of incompetency on Cappy's part devastated our case and my child's future and rendered the $14,000 dollars that I had paid up until that point WASTED! When confronted with this complete failure on his part, not only was he not sorry but he responded with an almost frightening look of outrage! We were forced to release him as as our lawyer and not pay him the measly $1,000 that he insisted we owed him, Cappy even had the audacity to threaten us with action if we did not pay him. The losses that our family suffered because of the incompetency of Cappy Weiner never were recovered, and I don't just mean the financial losses, I mean the loss of a healthy childhood for my daughter. BEWARE, Cappy Wiener.
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02 Jul, 2017 by Darcy wood
Cappy has been my attorney as well as many family members, and friends. He is experienced in many areas of the law and I've always had a positive experience with his legal services.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers

What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do for You

A criminal defense lawyer provides legal representation to individuals or organizations accused of criminal conduct. If you're facing criminal charges, a defense lawyer will work to protect your rights, build a defense strategy, and ensure you receive a fair trial. Their primary goal is to reduce or dismiss charges, secure an acquittal, or negotiate a favorable plea deal.

Criminal defense lawyers have extensive knowledge of criminal law and court procedures. They investigate your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, and represent you in court, ensuring that you have the best possible defense.

When Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

It’s crucial to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if you are facing any criminal charges. Some situations in which you should seek legal representation include:

  • Arrest or police questioning: If you've been arrested or are under investigation, hiring a lawyer early on can prevent self-incrimination and protect your rights during police questioning.
  • Felony charges: Crimes such as murder, assault, drug trafficking, or robbery carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences. A defense lawyer is essential in these cases.
  • Misdemeanor charges: Even for less serious offenses like DUI, theft, or simple assault, a lawyer can help reduce penalties, negotiate alternatives to jail, or get charges dismissed.
  • Plea negotiations: If you’re considering a plea bargain, a lawyer can evaluate the deal, advise you on its consequences, and negotiate for more favorable terms.
  • Probation or parole violations: If you’ve been accused of violating probation or parole, a lawyer can defend you against additional penalties or revocation.
  • Juvenile offenses: For minors charged with criminal acts, a criminal defense lawyer can protect their future by minimizing legal repercussions or keeping the case in juvenile court.

What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

Criminal defense lawyers provide comprehensive legal services to protect their clients’ rights throughout the criminal justice process. Their duties include:

  • Case evaluation and investigation: Reviewing the evidence, interviewing witnesses, and investigating the facts to develop a strong defense strategy.
  • Legal advice: Advising you on your rights, the charges you’re facing, and potential defense strategies, including whether to take a plea deal or go to trial.
  • Negotiating plea bargains: Working with prosecutors to negotiate a plea deal that could reduce charges or minimize penalties.
  • Court representation: Representing you in all court hearings, including bail hearings, pretrial motions, trials, and sentencing hearings.
  • Filing motions: Filing motions to dismiss charges, suppress evidence, or reduce bail, depending on the specifics of your case.
  • Trial preparation and defense: Preparing a defense strategy and presenting arguments, evidence, and witnesses during trial to contest the prosecution's case.
  • Appeals: If you are convicted, a defense lawyer can appeal the conviction or sentence, arguing errors in the trial process or legal rulings.

How Are Criminal Defense Lawyers Paid?

Criminal defense lawyers generally charge clients in one of three ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Payment structures include:

  • Flat fee: For straightforward cases (e.g., minor misdemeanors), some lawyers charge a one-time flat fee that covers all aspects of the defense.
  • Hourly rate: For more complex or ongoing cases, lawyers may charge by the hour, with rates varying based on the lawyer’s experience and geographic location.
  • Retainer fee: In cases where extensive work is expected, the client may pay a retainer fee upfront. The lawyer then bills against that retainer for their work on the case.

The cost of criminal defense services can vary greatly, so it’s important to discuss fees during your initial consultation.

How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer depends on several factors, including the severity of the charges, the complexity of the case, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost guidelines are:

  • Misdemeanor cases: For relatively minor offenses, such as a DUI or petty theft, a flat fee may range from $1,500 to $5,000.
  • Felony cases: More serious charges, such as assault or drug trafficking, can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the complexity and duration of the case.
  • Hourly rates: For cases billed by the hour, lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on their expertise and the case's location.
  • Additional expenses: You may also be responsible for other costs, such as filing fees, expert witness fees, or the cost of private investigators.

Be sure to clarify the lawyer’s fee structure and any potential additional costs during your consultation.

Top Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Before hiring a criminal defense lawyer, you’ll want to ensure that they’re a good fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask:

  1. What is your experience with cases like mine?
    Make sure the lawyer has a strong track record with the specific type of criminal charges you’re facing, whether it’s DUI, drug offenses, or violent crimes.
  2. What is your fee structure?
    Ask how the lawyer charges for their services and whether you’ll be responsible for any additional costs.
  3. What are the potential outcomes of my case?
    A good lawyer should provide an honest assessment of your case and the likelihood of dismissal, a plea bargain, or conviction.
  4. How many cases have you taken to trial?
    While many criminal cases settle with a plea deal, it’s important to hire a lawyer with courtroom experience in case your case goes to trial.
  5. Who will handle my case?
    Ask if the lawyer will be personally involved or if other attorneys in the firm will handle most of the work.
  6. How do you communicate with your clients?
    Be clear on how often and through what channels you can expect updates on your case.

How to Check the Credibility of a Criminal Defense Lawyer

To verify the credibility of a criminal defense lawyer, take the following steps:

  • Check their standing with the state bar: Confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with your state’s bar association. Look for any past disciplinary actions or complaints.
  • Read online reviews and testimonials: Platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google can provide insights from previous clients about the lawyer’s communication, professionalism, and case outcomes.
  • Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should have past clients or other professionals who can speak to their competence and work ethic.
  • Review their case history: Look at the lawyer’s website or professional profile to see their experience with criminal cases, including high-profile or complex cases.
  • Look for trial experience: If your case might go to trial, make sure the lawyer has a strong history of courtroom advocacy and success.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your first consultation with a criminal defense lawyer, bring the following:

  • Details of your case: Be prepared to provide a detailed account of the charges against you, including any documents related to your arrest, police reports, and court dates.
  • Criminal history: If you have any prior criminal convictions, inform your lawyer so they can understand how that may affect your current case.
  • List of witnesses or evidence: If there are any potential witnesses or evidence that may support your defense, share this information during the consultation.
  • Questions for the lawyer: Prepare questions about their experience, legal strategy, and fees to ensure you understand how they will handle your case.
  • Bail or release documents: If you’ve been released on bail, bring any paperwork related to your release conditions or restrictions.

By being well-prepared, you can help your lawyer quickly assess your situation and begin building an effective defense strategy.