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14 May, 2014 by Anonymous
In the past, a few of my friends had used the Law Offices of Williams & Trayner for various legal issues.... I contacted Mr. Trayner after a TPD officer violated my civil liberties. After explaining the situation to Mr. Trayner and his assistant Mr. Sawdy they had determined that an officer performed an illegal stop on my vehicle. While being harassed by TPD, the officers conducted an illegal search of my vehicle, purporting to find contraband and arrested me without cause. Mr. Trayner was able to file a Motion to Suppress the evidence which the judge granted. The criminal case against me was dismissed. I am very satisfied with the outcome and would recommend this attorney for any vehicular issues. A+ work !!!
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13 Nov, 2022 by Kevin kimball
I had Brian Bolves for an Eminent Domain case in Naples. He ignored my emails and kept my funds illegally in his escrow account ..TWICE!! He nor his assistant would reply to my emails even as I told him I would give him a one star review and write a complaint to the Florida Bar. He won't provide the necessary paperwork so i can file taxes so I have to get it from the County Attorney. I forwarded the emails I sent him to his assistant and the ones I sent to the assistant to Brian trying to get some response, No luck! Fortunately the County paid him.
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17 Sep, 2022 by Andrew bolves
14 Jan, 2022 by Richard alonso
Laura Donaldson is the best...She help me so much ..like if she knew me for year's...you need help in real estate law she the best ..
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22 Oct, 2010 by I got caught but then was saved.
I did it. But Monica saved me. Im sorry. Thank you Monica.
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13 Oct, 2010 by Delilah mosley
Monica has helped me out of so many tight jams, I came to her office my paper work and left her office with a heavy weight lifted off of me and my family. I want be getting back into any trouble but if I do then Moncia is always her ready to help.
Thank you once again for you time
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05 Oct, 2010 by S and r
Monica is trustworthy, and extremely knowledgeable, Talk about responsive; this lawyer has always called us back or better yet; she has answered her phone late in to the evening. If you dont use her then you are only hurting yourself. We recommend Monica Strickland. she is Monica The Great
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06 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
He did not represent me at all, in fact on most all court hearings he was either late or sent an uninformed, inexperienced co-worker in his place. More than once the Judge actually called him on his cell to find out why he was over an hour late for court! I collected the videos and discovery for my own case as he was doing nothing. I eventually fired him when he asserted 8 months later that perhaps I was guilty of the very thing he promised to defend me for when I hired him! Big waste of time and money.
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06 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
Jeff worked hard for our son keeping us realistic about chances for our son's criminal case. He did go the extra mile and pushed the DA to see our side of the situation. I trusted him with my son's future and he rewarded us with professional representation.
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25 Feb, 2013 by Anonymous
I have gotten hit with a very serious crime in Sarasota and he got me an unbelievable deal. He is good at what he does!
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21 Aug, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Joseph Larrinaga who works with Sosa Law Firm out of Brandon, Florida was irresponsible, careless, and an untrustworthy attorney. Mr. Joseph Larrinaga failed me in numerous ways. His failure to submit an order to dissolve an injunction, that a Judge ordered, caused me to be arrested sit in jail and wrongfully not see my child for 14 days. I had primary residency of child for school purposes at the time. In the mean time he was unresponsive to my calls and emails as well as the staff. Not completing his duty from the first fee, I was forced to submit another retainer fee for him to clear up the unnecessary arrest to get me out of jail without any charges. If he would have followed the courts order in a timely manner (like right away) in the first place the arrest would have been prevented. Mr. Larrinaga along with Melissa allowed a false rape allegation escalate to a possible trial to attempt to drain $10000.00 more from me after $3000 had already been paid to the firm for the negligent irreparable damage already caused.
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19 Aug, 2014 by Catherine
This review is late in coming as I put my life back together after a nasty divorce. I happened on Joe Larranaga by chance after I fired my first inept attorney. He took my case the rest of the way with a confident and knowledgeable vigor that ultimately got me exactly what I wanted and deserved. He supported me through some of my darkest days. He was my Obe Wan Knobe . He really cares.
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11 Nov, 2011 by Anonymous
First, I want to thank you for your dedicationand commitment to my case. You are truly a professional in your field. Your counsel and advise is priceless. Your defense on my behalf I will not soon forget. May you have great success in all your cases with those whom you represent. In choosing you, they will find as I did, they have chosen the best. You're a man of character and conviction. May God shine His light on you Mr. Larrinaga.
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17 Jul, 2013 by Richard s.
Norman Cannella Jr. is the best in Tampa for Criminal Defense. He worked my criminal defense case hard and we prevailed. After consulting with other Lawyers you will find no one more upstanding with high moral character. I can't say enough good things.
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23 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
DO NOT RECOMMEND this lawyer he is very rude, he is very unprepared, he is absolutely irresponsible, he lost my case due to his lack of attention to my case.
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23 Nov, 2010 by Anonymous
Confident Attorney. Took my case and resolves two issues right away. I have true confidence in Mr. Cannella. He is a man of his word.
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05 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
“Rick” charged a ridiculous fee to represent me and a family member against some criminal charges. He spun tales of dismissal and “getting this thing handled” and really made his enormous bill seem justified.
On the day of the arrangement as the other lawyers entered court there were many who looked professional and then rick entered...he was late, fat, poorly dressed and looked disheveled. He hurried over and called us outside the court room and hurriedly explained that he had secured plea deals for both cases that left me thinking I would have been better of with a public defender. He bullied us into accepting them thus reducing his workload from actual case work to nothing in a split second but keeping the full amount he charged (in excess of $10,000 for basically 2 hours work).
This guy isnt worth anyones time and i hope others are smart enough to see he is a not worth hiring.
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28 May, 2019 by Av
I'll be using his services again when needed in the future.
I was very satisfied with his savvy experience in handling my legal matters.
He's extremely knowledgeable in his profession and knew exactly what to do to give me the best outcome for my cases.
Aside from his professionalism and efficiency he is very transparent, friendly, sincere and was so to my situation. I'm very grateful that I was able to obtain him for his services.
Highly Recommended
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22 Aug, 2014 by Sandra
Mr. Leal represented my son in a criminal matter that was resolved in the best possible way. My son completed his program and the charges were dropped. Mr. Leal explained everything to myself and my son along the way and we really were impressed by his compassion and professionalism. I've dealt with other attorneys who treat you like just another part of the process but Mr. Leal really cares. He worked hard to get the outcome we did. Highly recommend him.
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08 Apr, 2024 by It resources
Chip and Keona do a great job of keeping this firm on top of their game. The attorneys and staff truly care about their clients and I highly recommend them!
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25 Mar, 2024 by Nader maali
30 Nov, 2023 by Chad sagnip
I previously had another law firm handle my roof claim after the insurance company refused to pay and then folded. The company couldn’t resolve the issue which went to FIGA. So a friend referred Merlin group to handle the issue. They were very professional and kept me updated even though, at times, there was no progress to discuss. Through their persistence and constant contact with FIGA, the issue finally got resolved AFTER almost 2 years!! Hopefully this won’t happen again, but if it does, I’ll reach back out to them.
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11 May, 2024 by Melanie garay
09 Aug, 2023 by Christine holmes whatupholmes
21 Jul, 2023 by Christian gendebien
25 Jul, 2017 by Denise p
Mr. Anthony Chris Ekonomides is one of those lawyers who takes money and promises solid legal support but does not check the facts or scrutinize the details. I needed to send a legal letter to my ex-spouse who was not fully cooperating with a Court Order. Mr. Anthony Chris Ekonomides did not study the details of the case and ruined it completely. I lost my case because of his ignorance.
I would never use him again or recommend him to anybody.
Denise
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04 Jul, 2017 by Michelle bryant
Mr. Ekonomides is extremely professional and listens to your story without judgement. He always has your best interest at heart and is straight and to the point. He treats you with the utmost respect and sincerity. He makes you feel like you're his only case even though he has several. As his client, I put my total trust in his hands knowing he will give it his 100%. He is reasonably priced. I highly recommend Anthony Ekonomides in any case. I can not thank him enough for getting me through this difficult point in my life.
Very Respectfully,
Michelle
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27 Jun, 2017 by Laura
Mr. Anthony C. Ekonomides is very dishonest lawyer. In my post-divorce case he has promised me a lot, and achieve almost nothing. He is approaching very aggressive, however there is no any results in Court of his tactics. He just drain money with no practical success. Even my ex-husband who is technical person, easily destroyed our case during Court hearing.
I do not recommend Mr. Anthony C. Ekonomides for any kind of defense or family case.
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19 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
Represents criminals who decapitate dogs pro bono. I find this absolutely deplorable and abhorrent.
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19 Aug, 2024 by Suzie
He represents a man who decapitated a rescue dog, put him in a plastic bag without his head, and put him in the mangroves in St. Pete. Who can represent this disgusting human? He must have no heart or conscience.
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25 Jun, 2019 by Anonymous
I was arrested on some complete BS drug possession charge and did not know what to do as this was my first time ever getting in any sort of legal trouble or any trouble for that matter. Contacted Victor and he immediately eased my concerns and clearly stated my options and what exactly he was going to do for my case. He was optimistic but very practical in the explanation to me about what was about to transpire. He is also well known in the circle of prosecutors in the area which is an added bonus as he was able to off the bat drop my felony charge to a misdemeanor. He is also understanding of your financial situation and catered a custom financial plan that would not leave me dead broke. All in all, I dont plan on ever hiring another attorney but in the event that things dont go as planned, my anxiety is eased as I know I have an excellent attorney in my corner that I can call anytime. I recommend Victor to any and everyone who is in need of an attorney as you possibly cannot go wrong with him on your side!
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19 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous
Dealing with him as one of the worst attorney experience I’ve ever had. He is so unprofessional he will just start screaming if you don’t agree with him. I hired him to help represent my family he just seemed very combative and kept going on about politics as well. As I have no vested interest in politics Democrat or Republican he was obsessed with believing anybody in the republican party deeming them all Nazis. It was very unprofessional and would go on long rants about Donald Trump. He was more interested in doing this and listening to my case. He also was disrespectful to the judge which made it very difficult for me. The outcome of my case was terrible my worst fears. Please do not hire this man he appears to have mental problems.
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04 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
Called for quick legal advice. I was surprised at the unprofessionalism and rudeness this attorney displayed. No good.
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29 Nov, 2020 by Carla
I was reunited with my son. My case was definitely not easy but Mr Garcia fought for my family,
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27 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
Horrible experience with this lawyer. I paid him at least $2,000 and he withdrew his representation of me without my knowledge and had a warrent issued for my arrest after he failed to tell me of a court date. I have asked for at least a partial refund to no avail. Don't screw yourself over even more by hiring him as your attorney.
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13 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
He got my money and did nothing for me, did not investigate the facts of the cast. Talked to him when I first hired him and he did not consult with me till we went to court. I thought he would've have gone over the evidence and talked to my witnesses. He did not put up a defence for me what a waste of money. Cop stole my debit card and admitted he took it. The cop Used my debit card. And I contacted the F.B.I. and Danny did not point these facts out to the Judge. The cop's arrested me and four months after charged me with assult. None of threre reports said anything about assault. He let them get away with fabricating evidence. A little kid could have poked holes in the states cast. He did not investigate the video across the street, it would have shown I did nothing. The police got the video.
Thanks
Danny
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10 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
Great attorney! Reviewed my case and handle it with detail to the facts. Knew every move the state's attorney was going to make and defended me to the best ability he could.
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24 Jun, 2017 by Kim
Ms. Lakeman is the owner of a firm which employs another lawyer (Jennifer Arena) who was appointed to represent me in a private petition for dependency. However, Ms. Lakeman virtually took over representation of the case herself. She didn't return phone calls, returned few e-mails, and during mediation, pushed me to settle issues in my divorce for which I had hired a different attorney. She actually suggested that my 18 year old son serve as an overnight supervisor for my estranged husband so my 3 year old son could have overnight visits with him, and she proposed this knowing that there had been a no contact order between them for prospective sexual abuse. She berated me for believing that yes, this man might actually molest our young son at night as the court found that he did to his ex-girlfriend's daughter. She also pushed me to go back into the mediation room when I felt so ill and in so much pain I couldn't think straight; my divorce attorney was present and was asking me if I wanted him to call me an ambulance. I filed a pro se motion with the dependency court to have her replaced, and scheduled and noticed the motion for hearing. Ms. Lakeman was the only one who showed up, and said that she was prepared to go forward on the motion herself. The judge stated that this was unacceptable - that Ms. Arena was the lawyer that had been appointed to represent me. She was in another county, and Ms. Lakeman's explanation was that, in spite of receiving proper notice of the hearing, they ASSUMED that I had just randomly scheduled the hearing and that the notice was not valid. I argued that this was indicative of the problems that I'd had with her all along. She never asked me, she never called the clerk's office; she just assumed that a properly noticed hearing was not really happening. With very little argument from Ms. Lakeman or Ms. Arena, the judge appointed a new attorney who provided outstanding representation. It was very clear that this lawyer wanted to be OFF of my case, for which she was being compensated less than she would have been had she not been appointed. I also filed a complaint against her with the Florida Bar, but apparently they decided the evidence was insufficient to discipline this attorney, in spite of the fact that I sent emails, phone records, the motion I filed, and the name and phone number of my divorce attorney who witnessed some of these actions. Please do not rely on the fact that there is no disciplinary history; the Florida Bar apparently protects its own.
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02 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
When I was going through my divorce Cynthia and her assistant took a retainer of $2,500. During our first meeting she had me in tears and said to make sure to save up all my money. Her assistant was texting the entire time. Then another employee came in and they talked about her daughters dance performance and shared pictures. I felt as if my case was a joke. I asked for my retainer back so I could find another attorney. Instead they billed me for $3,600 for a meeting that accomplished nothing. I do not recommend Cynthia Lakeman. She is clearly only for the money.
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15 Oct, 2013 by Wilma
At our first meeting on a Monday, we presented Cynthia with the lead officers' name, contact number, warrant numbers (which she told us were actually CRA #s ). She told us she would file a Motion to Surrender and Motion to Set Bail the next morning. After paying the retainer fee that Monday, she told us on Wednesday, "There is nothing any attorney can do." This was because there was no case number and the arrest warrant had not been entered into the system which we knew & told her at our first meeting. On Friday of that same week, Cynthia told us we should find another attorney.
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30 Nov, 2016 by Gip
Mr. Hayes,
Has been my Attorney for almost 25yrs. He has handle about 4 case for me and all them were successful. One of my cases was in Buffalo NY and he won that case also. Mr. Hayes was always been fair with me and never over charge me. In fact, he has never charged me what he could have. Mr. Hayes is my Attorney for life and not only for me but for my entire family. If someone need a good, honest, and caring Attorney he is the one.
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04 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
This will be my first and most likely last review I will ever make online. I never even check reviews but I decided it would serve the world a favor by taking my time to write this message. Mr. Hayes is the WORST lawyer I have ever had the displeasure of meeting. He is an angry fellow with very poor social skills. I hired him for a case and terminated him shortly after hire since he was doing a terrible job. His knowledge about law is poor and the only time Mr. Hayes would call me was to collect an advanced payment. Before you even consider hiring him please just google search and do some research on this attorney. He once had to be subdued in the courtroom by a taser gun after he assaulted a deputy when he was on a losing end of a case. He has no professional skills and I am confused on why he still possesses a license to practice. He will take as much money as he can from you, making you sign a contract which guarantees a large payment even if only proves he worked for just one hour on your case.
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28 Sep, 2019 by Jeremy
In 2014, Mr. Broadus represented me in a Family Law Case. I met him at a networking group and because I didn't have much money, he seemed like a great choice. Well, as they say, "you get what you pay for". The Judge in the case wrote an Illegal Order, that Mr. Broadus did not catch. After the illegal clause written by the Judge was triggered, allowing my Ex-wife to flee the state with my 5 daughters, the "30 days" had passed, meaning the ruling could not be contested. I am just now, 5 years later, able to muster the resources to sue Mr. Broadus for Malpractice. I would DEFINITELY steer clear of Mr. Broadus. He is very nice and personable, but unless you want to lose your case, your children and endure years of depression because of his incompetence, I would suggest someone else.
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19 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
Mr. Broadus was hired to represent me in a custody matter. I hired Mr. Broadus thinking since he's been practicing as a family law attorney for several years that he would be competent in the area of family law. My experience was every thing short of a good one. Mr. Broadus case load is too high. He lacks effective communication. He lacks attention to detail and made me lack confidence in him as my counsel.
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28 Feb, 2018 by Gregory steven ledbetter
I had her appointment to me by the court this woman is a joke if you don't have money she's not going to do anything for you she. She does nothing for her clients she could care less about her clients all she cares about is money and her fancy Juris doctorate that she has underneath her belt. If you don't have money she doesn't give a crap about you I wouldn't recommend her to anybody I wouldn't let her fight for my dog if I had money for a lawyer. She supposed to represent me in a case that involves my child and she's worse than the State of Florida she's actually on their side. This woman is a joke. She's so much of a joke I've been emailing her every other day telling her to withdraw so I can get another lawyer and she even refuses to do that she insist on pinning herself on top of me and standing between me and my rights to have a real attorney my rights to due process and all of my rights to be with my child. She needs to be disbarred and chased out of the state of Florida. She completely disrespects and dishonors the laws that this great country was built on. She only has her name on that stupid list to be a free lawyer to keep her membership with the Florida bar for her own prestige. All she cares about is money and if you don't have money you are out of luck
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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:
-
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. -
What is your fee structure?
Ask how the lawyer charges for their services and whether you’ll be responsible for any additional costs. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
