HOW MUCH WILL MY DEFENSE COST?
You will want, of course, to obtain representation by an experienced, aggressive criminal defense attorney, one who preferably has worked both as a prosecutor and defender, and one who will provide an effective and comprehensive defense on your behalf.
Once you have chosen an attorney and discussed your legal situation, the next question you ask most undoubtedly will be, “How much will my defense cost?”
There is no simple answer to this question as each situation is different. There are straight forward cases that can be resolved quickly and easily, and then there are more complex cases that cannot be solved expeditiously.
An example of a simple, straight forward case is when the defendant makes the decision to plead guilty and wants his case ended as soon as possible. His case will not drag on in court, there will be no appeals, and thus less time, effort and expense will be spent on his defense.
However, in a more complex case requiring a great deal of investigation, more time, effort and expense is spent on the defense. As the complexity of a case increases, the cost of the defense increases, as well.
Of Interest:
New York criminal defense attorney, Thomas J. Melanson, Esq., stated he cannot properly represent a client and quote a fee for his services until he knows all the details of his client’s legal situation. Because each situation is different, he assesses fees on an individual basis based on the complexity of the case.
Another question a client may have, “How do I pay for my defense?”
Again, Mr. Melanson stated he handles each situation individually based on a client’s circumstances. There are times when all fees are paid up front, times when the fees are paid over time, such as in installment payments, and there are times when a payment is made by credit card. Each client’s situation is unique and what works for one client may not work for another client.
The most important issue when you are in legal trouble is to talk to an attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will discuss your individual circumstances and then work out an arrangement that not only works well for you, but for him as well.
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