Criminal defense

How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?

Last updated June 16, 2026

Criminal defense lawyers usually charge a flat fee for misdemeanors (often $1,500–$5,000) and more for felonies or trials. Here's how criminal-defense pricing works and what's included.

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Misdemeanors: commonly a flat fee, often around $1,500–$5,000.
Felonies: higher flat fees or hourly billing, frequently $5,000–$15,000+; trials cost more.
Hourly rates typically run about $150–$700+, depending on market and experience.
A public defender is free if you qualify financially.
Always get the fee agreement in writing and ask exactly what it covers.

Flat fee vs. hourly

Most criminal-defense lawyers bill misdemeanors as a flat fee, because the scope is predictable. Felonies and complex cases are more often billed hourly or as a larger staged flat fee, since the work can expand through investigation, motions, and trial. A flat fee gives you cost certainty; hourly billing tracks the actual time spent.

What drives the price

Severity of the charge (a DUI vs. a serious felony).
Whether the case pleads out early or goes to trial.
The attorney's experience and local reputation.
Your location — big-city rates run higher.
Case complexity: experts, evidence volume, co-defendants.

Lower-cost options

If you can't afford private counsel, you may qualify for a public defender at no cost. Many private attorneys also offer payment plans or limited-scope representation for one stage of the case. Whatever you choose, confirm the lawyer's license and disciplinary standing before you pay a retainer.

2,047,933

attorney records across 45 states are searchable on this site right now.

Source: official state bar registration rosters.

Frequently asked questions

Why do criminal lawyers charge a flat fee?

For predictable cases like most misdemeanors, a flat fee lets both sides agree on cost up front. More serious or trial-bound cases are harder to predict, so they're often hourly or a larger staged fee.

Is a more expensive lawyer always better?

No. Price reflects market, experience, and case complexity — not a guarantee of outcome or competence. Check the attorney's actual record and disciplinary standing rather than assuming cost equals quality.

What if I can't afford a criminal defense lawyer?

If you meet the financial threshold, the court will appoint a public defender at no cost to you. Some private firms also offer payment plans.

Related guides

Numbers on this page are computed from official rosters — see our data sources & methodology. This guide is part of the understanding the legal system series.

This site republishes official public records and is not legal advice, a lawyer referral service, or a consumer reporting agency. Information here may not be used to make decisions about employment, tenancy, or credit (FCRA). Records are shown as published by their official sources and may contain errors or be out of date; consult the linked official source to verify. To correct or dispute a record, contact the licensing authority of record.